Aug 31 (SAMN) Britain has no intention of getting involved in Sri Lankan politics nor is it pushing for the role of peace broker, the British High Commission said Thursday in reaction to views expressed by Government Peace Secretariat (SCOPP) chief Rajiva Wijesinha. Dr. Wijesinha had reportedly told the Indian website IANS he believed Britain was looking for a 'regime change' in Sri Lanka because it favoured the opposition UNP over the ruling party. more..

Aug 31 (SAMN) Smoking burns up a colossal Rs. 4.2 billion each year in Sri Lanka which also spends one-fourth of its national income on the rehabilitation of drug addicts, Programme Instructor of Sumithrayo Drug Demand Reduction Programme, Dr. Manoj Fernando said Thursday pointing out that continuous smoking including cannabis and addiction to heroin are the prime causes of womb cancer, neuro diseases, sexual deficiencies in males and mental disorders. more..

Aug 31 (SAMN) Chairman of the Central Environment Authority Udaya Gammanpila said on Wednesday that a set of new laws will be introduced by the end of the year to curb noise pollution in general and restrict the use of public address system at religious places from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. New draft legislation to curb noise pollution has been forwarded to the Legal Draftsman’s Department. It would be presented to Supreme Court on September 30. more..

Aug 31 (DN) The main construction work on the Matara-Kataragama new rail road project which will be completed at a cost of Rs. 30,000 million already been expedited, a senior official of Rail Road and Development Authority said. The State Engineering Corporation has undertaken the construction of the bridges on the new Rail Road over the Nilwala Ganga at Nawimana Matara which is in progress under the supervision of the Rail Road and Development Authority. more..

Aug 31 (DN) President Mahinda Rajapaksa observed that the highest tribute which a Nation could accord the Sacred Tooth Relic was the creation of a righteous society which upholds the Panchaseela. President Rajapaksa made this observation addressing the function marking the climax of the internationally renowned, traditional and historical annual Esala Maha Perahera pageant. more..

Aug 31 (DM) President Mahinda Rajapaksa held lengthy discussions with the UNP Democratic Group yesterday regarding a wide range of issues including steps to be taken in order to counter anti-government allegations by opposition parties. Political sources told the Daily Mirror yesterday the two parties weighed the pros and cons of the current political developments in the country, and decided on action to be taken to prevent the government being pushed into a disadvantageous position under these circumstances. more..

Aug 31 (DM) Sri Lanka has no plans for a major offensive on rebel-held territories in the north, Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said yesterday. Government forces have recaptured strategic parts of the island 's east from separatist Tamil Tiger guerrillas in the past year, fanning talk that they might soon attempt to drive the Tigers out of their main stronghold in the north. “There's no plan for a major offensive in the north,” Mr. Bogollagama told Reuters more..

Aug 31 (PTI) Sri Lanka has welcomed the upcoming joint naval exercises by India, the US, Japan, Australia and Singapore in the Bay of Bengal, hoping such activities would ensure safety for trade and commerce in maritime zones. "Participants in these exercises are all countries which have major trading interests that require safety of navigation and high seas for commerce and trade," Sri Lankan High Commissioner C R Jayasinghe told PTI more..

Aug 31 (HN) “I think the most important lesson is that we should not let things develop in Sri Lanka which would require the intervention of even our best and closest neighbour. We should learn to resolve our own disputes within our country… Peace is not far away… I do not believe in or seek a military solution,” says President of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, talking to Hardnews Colombo Bureau Chief Bandula Jayasekara more..

Aug 31 (AP) Sri Lankan soldiers killed three Tamil Tiger rebels who were attempting to infiltrate government-held areas overnight, the military said Friday. Troops guarding a defense line in northern Jaffna peninsula killed the insurgents at a border post in Muhamalai, an officer at the defense ministry's media center said on condition of anonymity because of policy. more..