July 3 (LBO) Central Bank has relaxed exchange controls for emigrants in a move it said aimed at further promoting stable capital mobility and improving investor confidence in the country. The new rules allow previous emigrants to take out without any restriction balances in blocked accounts where their wealth had been deposited, a Central Bank statement said. New emigrants can repatriate up to 150,000 dollars to cover allowances and personal effects more..

July 3 (LBO) Ceylinco group chairman Lalith Kotelawala has demanded the Sri Lankan Central Bank adopt its own code of corporate governance. He said in a letter to Central Bank governor Nivard Cabraal that was released to the media that he will initiate legal action if the Central Bank fails to adopt such a code. Kotelawala said governance codes proposed by Cabraal for commercial banks and finance companies are aimed at targeting a few individuals. more..

July 3 (LBO) Cutting fuel subsidies when the national budget is de-stabilized is a necessary move to keep the economy stable and development ticking, former Malaysian finance minister Daim Zainuddin has said. Malaysia, an oil producer, had recently raised fuel prices by 40 percent resulting in public anger. "It would be populist but irresponsible if our government were to continuously subsidize rising prices that distort the economy and postpone the day of reckoning," more..

July 3 (GDI) The liberation of the "Rice Bowl" in Mannar is a significant victory of the humanitarian missions of the security forces and it paves way for the citizens of this country to enjoy the bliss of democracy that this government is committed to preserve, said Defence Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella. The Minister said that the land area of over 120 kilometers known as the "Rice Bowl" had been under the grip of terrorists for more than 2 decades and more..

July 3 (GDI) The Ministry of Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services has launched a programme to popularize the use of organic fertilizer among local farmers and thereby increase the use of organic fertilizer by 25%, a spokesman for the Ministry told www.news.lk today (02). Minister Hemakumara Nanayakkara has directed his Ministry officials to educate the local farmers of the benefits in switching to organic fertilizer. more..

July 3 (GDI) "Strong economic foundation and vibrant institutions contribute to successful democratic governance" was the opinion expressed by the King of Bhutan, His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, when he received Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama at an audience on the 30th of June in the capital Thimpu. Minister Bogollagama was in Bhutan as part of his tour of SAARC countries to hand over invitations from more..

July 3 (GDI) Most of the 100 railway compartments imported from China have already been deployed in the service, General Manager of Railways, Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan said. He further said that these imported compartments have been fixed with modern facilities to accommodate more passengers. The Government has also taken steps to import 15 more power sets to be deployed in the coastal and other lines except on the Kelani Velly line. more..

July 3 (GDI) Minister of Indigenous Medicine, Tissa Karaliyadde emphasized the need of utilizing the currently available resources at the optimum level in order to advance the indigenous medicine system in the country. Speaking at the launching of findings of Ayurvedic studies, Minister Karaliyadde said that his Ministry has explored the possibility of establishing authentic Traditional Sri Lankan Health Promoting Centers of excellence in Australia and more..

July 3 (GDI) A special ID is to be issued to those who have lost or possess faded and/or unrecognisable IDs for submission on election day in the Sabaragamuwa and North Central Province PC elections. The IDs are to be certified by the Assistant Elections Commissioner in the District in addition to the Grama Niladharis and District Secretary according to Election Authorities. In addition to the above ID, voters could also make use of other acceptable identification considered valid earlier. more..

July 3 (AT) Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, the state controlled broadcasting media, first of its kind in the country, is still financially not a stable despite great efforts by Anusha Palpita, the outgoing chairman of the corporation, who spent many months to prepare reports to make it financially viable. 'Furthermore, today the SLBC is loosing its prominence which it enjoyed in the 50s to 80s and gradually turned into a liability on the coffers of the Treasury.' more..

July 3 (LG) The Mannar ‘Rice-bowl’ is in Army’s hands, over a year after the Sri Lanka Army launched its first offensives in the undeclared war, unofficially called ‘Humanitarian Operations’. The battles have finally reached Mullaithivu, where it might last at least another one year more, unless the LTTE manages a reversal. One thing is certain. The Military, at least at the higher echelons, has a PLAN. Who translates it and how on the ground is a different matter--one that may become pertinent as battle fatigue sets in. more..

July 3 (LG) India’s snooty attitude a case in point For sometime many Lankans have questioned the validity of the SAARC group. The press has highlighted these concerns with little response from governments. The time has come for us to seriously ask ourselves as to what good has SAARC done so far in terms of invigorating trade or freeing of travel restrictions to enable the different people in the region visiting one another. more..

July 3 (LG) The people’s participation in government through the exercise of their franchise seems to have become a farce and a failure in Sri Lanka with dictatorial powers vested in one person by the flawed constitution. In terms of this constitution once a person becomes president by hook or by crook, he could lead the country to disaster unchallenged, with the help of those ‘elected’ by the people, but have since become traitors and turn coats. more..

July 3 (LG) The Right Royal Rambukwella ruckus is yet another example of how ministers and their brats — the budding thugs — are able to contemptuously thumb their snotty noses at the authorities after breaking the law and committing criminal offences with impunity. The Bearded Babbler’s son, was according to the written and signed statements of the four co-offenders, the mastermind in the case of break-opening, entering and robbery of files from a teacher’s locked room. more..

July 3 (LG) It was an ethno-centric atrocity unimaginable in post-Accord Sri Lanka, until the advent of the Rajapakses. In the early hours of the morning of June 6th 2007 police teams descended on several Colombo lodges. The residents (including the very old, the very young and the very sick) were herded out and ordered into waiting buses to be transported to their villages in the North-East. more..

July 3 (UPI) The visit of a high-level Indian delegation to Sri Lanka barely a fortnight ago has given rise to much speculation regarding its purpose. The delegation consisted of National Security Advisor M. K. Narayan, Defense Secretary Sri Vijay Singh and Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon. The three visitors were all senior members of the Indian administration, not politicians, which indicates the broad consensus and continuity that India seeks in its policy toward Sri Lanka. more..

July 3 (GV) We reproduce in full a statement by the Free Media Movement on the attacks against journalists in Sri Lanka. Namal Perera, the most recent victim of an abduction attempt, was a former colleague who significantly facilitated a number of progressive media initiatives in Sri Lanka including the creation and adoption of the Media Charter. This is the second time I have run with a story of an abduction of a former colleague. The first was a little over a year ago. more..

July 3 (GV) What does the failed abduction attempt against Namal Perera of the Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI), which turned into a brutal assault on him and his friend Mahinda Ratnaweera , Political Officer at the British High Commission, tell us about the Rule of Law, human rights protection, the culture of impunity and law and order in Sri Lanka today ? It took place in close proximity to a major security checkpoint, an army installation and ironically enough, more..

July 3 (AT) First time in Sri Lanka’s bank history , SANASA Development Bank – a Sri Lanka’s most popular rural bank which has over 800, 000 membership plans to modernize the ancient stone parapet wall of the Jaya Siri Maha Bodhiya, Anuradhapura, which was erected during King Devanampiyatissa [247 -207 B.C.] Chairman of the SANASA Bank Dr.P.A.Kirivandeniya says the bank plans to raise funds through the public and more..

July 3 (AT) In the midst of the heated controversy over the allegation that the Sri Lanka Press Institute had sent eight Tigers masquerading as journalists to Norway, some real issues seem to have been overlooked. The SLPI has threatened legal action against the Lake House for publishing the unsubstantiated report. Nevertheless it is intriguing to know whether the persons in question actually returned to Sri Lanka after participating in the Media Democracy Program in Copenhagen. more..

July 3 (GDI) President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a special statement made through Defence Spokesman, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella yesterday (July 2), said that he wasreally happy that the LTTE had targetted him instead of innocent civilians. Minister Rambukwella, speaking at the weekly defence briefing told journalists that President Rajapaksa had specifically requested him to convey these sentiments. more..

July 3 (GDI) Leader of the TULF, winner of the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Prize for the promotion of tolerance and non-violence, in a statement released yesterday (July 2) from Paris, France, condemned the LTTE attack on the life of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The full statement is given below: I strongly condemn the attack on the life of H E the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, which, if successful would have proved disastrous. more..

July 3 (LT) Nomination papers relevant to Kegalle District for Sabaramuwa Provincial Council election were handed over today morning. Speaking to the media after handing over nominations papers Mr. Mahinda Jayasinghe, Kegalle district group leader of the JVP said, "All this time Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council was considered as an utter corrupt, full of fraud and theft institution. This state should be changed immediately. It could be done only by the JVP. more..

July 3 (LD) Nearly 800 Tamils living at Colombo 15 were reportedly videoed individually in the early hours of this morning. Police and army personnel had woken up these people at Kimbulahela Watte on Madampitiya Road from their sleep around 4.00 pm and ordered to gather at a nearby playground. Once there, each of them had been asked to clearly tell the name, address and other personal details, while being videoed. more..

July 3 (LD) Australian parliamentarian for federal state of Lowe, John Murphy, submitted to the House of Representatives, a petition signed by more than 4,000 Australians calling on the Australian Government "to do everything in its power to get a peaceful resolution" to Sri Lanka's conflict. The petition also pressed for the "proper implementation of the 2002 ceasefire agreement" that brought optimism for all Sri Lankans that there would be an end to the needless death and displacement of innocent people, more..

July 3 (LBO) In mid 2006, I wrote a column entitled "The Sri Lankan state: Failed, failing or maligned?". It was about a comparative ranking on countries on their likelihood of becoming failed states. At the end of a critical assessment of their methodology, I concluded that "Notwithstanding these methodological problems, the index does provide a good basis for debate and discussion on the condition of the Sri Lankan state." more..

July 3 (CI) Younis Khan's whirlwind 123 changes the nature of Thursday's clash. Pakistan managed to chase a target of 309, and instead of a dress rehearsal for the final, the contest against Sri Lanka becomes India's chance to seal outright a place in the final without waiting for the outcome of the last Super Four match between Pakistan and Bangladesh - a win then will be enough for Pakistan to go through. more..

July 3 (TW) One of the greatest, noblest and most distinguished sons of India, Jawarharlal Nehru visited Ceylon in 1939. He drafted and prepared a document dated 25.7.1939 and his untiring efforts organised the Ceylon Indian Congress ( CIC), the forerunner to the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC). The CIC had 4 important aims and objects well worth re-producing. They are: * The attainment of “Puma Swaraj” for the people of India, more..

July 3 (HRW) The Sri Lankan government should end the arbitrary detention of more than 400 civilians displaced by recent fighting at a newly established camp in northern Sri Lanka, Human Rights Watch said today. Since March 2008, the government of Sri Lanka has detained civilians fleeing areas controlled by the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) at a so-called welfare center in Kalimoddai, Mannar district. more..

July 3 (TI) Q: With Team India’s tour of Sri Lanka not far off, have you started to look ahead too? A: Not really, but we know it’s very important for us... India’s the Big Brother in a lot of ways and, so, all eyes are on the tour whenever your team comes calling... We’ll be focusing on those Tests and ODIs as soon as this Asia Cup gets over. more..

July 3 (TP) The President SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SAARC-CCI), Tariq Sayeed will address Sri Lanka Economic Summit 2008 today (Thursday) at Colombo. The Sri Lanka Economic Summit is the foremost business summit organised by the Ceylon chamber of commerce in collaboration with the board of investment of Sri Lanka for the 9th year in succession since its commencement in the year 2000. more..

July 3 (AN) A Sri Lankan maid committed suicide here six days after her arrival in the Saudi capital, her country’s embassy said yesterday. The woman of the house found Fathima Fazmila, 24, hanging from a noose made by her sari tied to a ceiling fan, according to the embassy. “Ever since she came the maid looked sick and we were trying to make her feel at home since this was the first time she left home,” said Abdulaziz Al-Khereiji, her sponsor. more..

July 3 (PTI) Sri Lankan spinner Ajantha Mendis on Wednesday drew praise from unexpected quarters when former Indian left-arm spinner Bishan Singh Bedi described him as a "meritorious" bowler from the sub-continent with a "clean action". Bedi, perceived as someone hard to impress in the wake of his criticism against Muttiah Muralitharan and Harbhajan Singh for their bowling actions, also said Mendis was a "rare breed" among Asian bowlers. more..

July 3 (IRIN) Amjad Saleem, country director of the Islamic development and relief agency Muslim Aid, walked into the weekly meeting of the Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (CHA) on 4 August 2006 in Colombo looking for urgent help. He walked out with a partnership that has gone beyond national borders in less than two years. Several days earlier, heavy fighting had broken out between Sri Lankan government forces and the LTTE in Muttur town, Trincomalee District in eastern Sri Lanka. more..

July 3 (IRIN) For thousands of Sri Lankans without easy access to potable water, a low-tech filter has provided them with a convenient source of safe water, saving on fuel costs and cutting disease. The water filter was first mass-produced in Nicaragua and used in emergency relief operations. It is essentially a clay pot fortified with ground paddy husk and coated with colloidal silver that strains out virtually all harmful bacteria and parasites. more..

July 3 (BBC) Media watchdogs, opposition parties and trade unions in Sri Lanka have accused the government of being responsible for the wave of attacks against the journalists. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in front of president’s official residence in Colombo to protest the assault on journalist Namal Perera and British diplomat, Mahendra Ratnaweera. The protesters want the killings and assaults to end, and for the government to stop the culture of impunity. more..

July 3 (BBC) An accused in a human rights petition is not eligible to serve in UN peace keeping forces until the case is resolved, Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court ruled. The court made the ruling after considering a petition by Inspector of Police (IP) Mihindusiri Abeysinghe of Criminal Investigation Division (CID). IP Abeysinghe is cited as a respondent in a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition by Tiran Alles, the former head of Civil Aviation Authority, against his arrest by the CID. more..

July 3 (GDI) The law pertaining to a mutual investment agreement between Iran and Sri Lanka which was approved by the Guardians Council has been notified to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance of Iran for implementation, Iranian news agencies reported today (03). Based on the agreement, the two sides will strengthen economic cooperation and encourage and create necessary conditions for investment by nationals of the other side within the framework of their regulations. more..

July 3 (GDI) Twelve small scale irrigation projects will soon be completed in the Ratnapura District and the Government has already allocated Rs.12 million for this programme, Irrigation Minister Jayatissa Ranaweera said. The Minister added that work on 11 of these 12 projects have already begun in the areas of Ratnapura, Eheliyagoda, Nivithigala, Balangoda, Kolonna and Rakwana. The foundation stone for the 12th project will be laid in Kuruvita on July 4. more..

July 3 (GDI) A batch of 15 former hardcore LTTE cadres who had been successfully rehabilitated at the Army Protective Accommodation and Rehabilitation Center at Thelippale were released on the 29th and 30th of June 2008, Ministry of Defence informs. The rehabilitated persons were welcomed by their family members who had been invited to the Army establishment. This group is a part of the 54 LTTE cadres who surrendered themselves to the Army in early March this year. more..

July 3 (SAMN) The UPFA Wednesday claimed that victory at the forthcoming PC poll was a foregone conclusion as they possessed candidates who knew the ground situation well, unlike the UNP which was resorting to the practice of ‘importing’ candidates. While noting that the UPFA had finalised its nominations without any snag Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma claimed that the main opposition UNP was in total disarray today and was even struggling to find suitable candidates including the Chief Ministerial nominees. more..

July 3 (SAMN) Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma yesterday threw an open challenge to the UNP to compete and win the upcoming provincial council elections if possible without resorting to backdoor manoeuvres such as seeking the intervention of law to postpone polls. Joining the debate on why the PCs were dissolved Minister Alahapperuma said that the Chief Ministers had no option but to go for the above decision as there was no majority for the ruling party, neither the support of the opposition to carry on progressive work. more..

July 3 (SAMN) The annual Esala festival in Kataragama will begin today (July 3) with the inaugural Mal Perahera, Basnayake Nilame Shashindra Kumar Rajapaksa said. The final Grand Perahera will take place on July 18 and the Diyakepeema in the morning of July 19. The Basnayake Nilame said that the Perahera will be made colourful by 72 dance troupes of the low-country, upcountry, Sabaragamuwa and indigenous traditions. Twenty two elephants will also parade in the Perahera. more..

July 3 (SAMN) In the wake of continuous accidents at railway level crossings, the Railways Department has decided not to permit any more level crossings on the island’s rail network. The decision was made in pursuant to the recommendations of the Parliamentary Select Committee appointed to look into the matter, Railways General Manager Dr. Lalithasiri Gunaruwan said. He also said that 10 new security systems will be installed at identified places to protect existing level crossings while more..

July 3 (DN) The Democratic Left Front (DLF) in a press release issued yesterday requested workers planning to launch a one-day strike on July 10 not to fall prey to the JVP-UNP conspiracy to destabilise the Government. The release signed by DLF Secretary Vasudeva Nanayakkara however said workers had a right to demand the full payment of the Cost of Living allowance. Trade Unions should note that the Government had agreed to accommodate the salary increase demand in the Budget proposals. more..

July 3 (DN) Sixty four MBBS doctors who passed out from the Jaffna University will be appointed to State hospitals in the North and East on their request, Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said. He said that the 64 intern doctors who passed out from the Jaffna Medical Faculty made a special request from Minister De Siva to obtain internship appointments to State hospitals located in the North and Eastern Provinces to serve their own people who spent money to educate them. more..

July 3 (Island) The blood compatibility testing machine of the Castle Street Women’s Hospital blood bank has been sabotaged the GMOA charged yesterday (2). The Association with several members of the nursing staff are demanding immediate action against the blood bank’s Chief Nursing Officer. Blood comparison necessary before transfusion is impossible at the unit. The GMOA in a special statement yesterday said that in addition to the charge of polluting blood samples, powdered glass had been introduced into the doctors’ drinking water. more..

July 3 (Island) The Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Felix Perera has gazetted new regulations allowing foreign fishing vessels to berth at the ports and anchorages of the country and unload their catch, official sources said yesterday (2). A special gazette notification 1555/13 of June 26 has promulgated the new regulations, the sources said. Under the previous regulations foreign vessels fishing outside the territorial waters had to have Board of Investment approval and more..

July 3 (DM) The UNP will hand over its nomination papers today, for the upcoming elections to the North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Councils. The nomination papers will be handed over to the Assistant Elections Commissioners for four districts, namely, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Ratnapura and Kegalle. After days of discussions and indecision, the UNP yesterday decided to keep its post of Sabaragamuwa chief ministerial candidate open, due to more..

July 3 (DM) The LTTE yesterday ruled out the possibility of any reconciliation with Karuna Amman and termed such reports as mere rumours. The TMVP also ruled out that Karuna would rejoin the LTTE and said that his return to the country to rejoin the outfit was being awaited. “We are confident that Karuna will not join the LTTE as he has rejected the Tigers’ policies and leadership. If anyone thinks that a Karuna-LTTE alliance is in the making, then I have to tell them that it would be the biggest joke of the year,” more..