Nov 12 (AT) South African soil will not be allowed for any transitional government. South Africa will not tolerate any such move by the LTTE. South Africa’s Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation Ms. Maite Nkoana Mashabane who was on an official visit to Sri Lanka pledged that the South Africa will be assisting Sri Lanka in more..

Nov 12 (Xinhua) Many still find it hard to believe, even after meeting him, that a 1.1-meter tall, 9-year-old Sri Lankan boy weighing only 26 kg could save four drowning people, including three adults. But that is what Dinesh Rajapakse did near his hometown in central Sri Lanka in January and it has brought him national fame and set his life on a new course. "I was riding my bicycle towards the Loggaloya river to bathe when a land master tractor passed by. more..

Nov 12 (LT) The government is preparing to increase the maximum borrowing limit for year 2009 by Rs.210 billion. This proposal has been presented to the Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Finance. The maximum borrowing allocated in the budget is Rs.840 billion. Due to the decrease in state income during the first six months of 2009 and any change to this situation could not be expected the Ministry of Finance has proposed that more..

Nov 12 (TN) News reports from Colombo indicate Sri Lanka government is planning to revise the Theasa Vazhamai law of Tamils, which is a constituent legal code, ever since the formulation of the island’s current legal system by the Dutch. The urgency of the Sri Lanka state at this juncture is not social reformation but grabbing the lands of Tamils without legal hurdles, besides removing last vestiges of Tamil sovereignty in the state apparatus, more..

Nov 12 (LNW) Mr. Santha Fernando, the executive secretary for justice and peace of the National Christian Council was arrested by the NIB and at the airport on 27th March and detained by the TID was given bail today, 11th October 2009. He had been on his way to India for a meeting and arrested after finding documents in his luggage concerning the humanitarian crisis in the Vanni region. more..

Nov 12 (MoD) The houses build by the "Api Wenuwen Api" fund will be handed over to 1509 valiant soldiers on 22nd November by the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, said additional Secretary of Ministry of Defence Mr. Willy Gamage. He further stated that Public Relation and Development division of the Ministry of Defence is building 50000 houses for soldiers more..

Nov 12 (GV) When I first heard of Groundviews in 2006, I was delighted to see citizen journalism finding its place in Sri Lanka, creating a much needed avenue for citizens to express their views before an infinitely vast and globally distributed readership. The project has already rendered a tremendous service to Sri Lanka and her people, by providing a platform to share and debate ideas, and engage in lively exchanges. more..

Nov 12 (ABC) Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull has slammed the Government's offer to entice asylum seekers onboard the Oceanic Viking to shore as a "desperate effort to save face" that will only encourage people smugglers. About 30 of the 78 Sri Lankans have already been found to be refugees. They have been told by the Government that if they go ashore to Indonesia they will be resettled within six weeks, with the rest to be processed within 12 weeks if they are also given refugee status. more..

Nov 12 (GDI) The resettlement process of persons temporary accommodated at welfare camps in Vavuniya is in full swing and as of today, the Government has resettled 159,913 civilians in their place of origin. The number of civilians who have taken shelter in welfare villages have now reduced to 140,087, Minister Anura Priryadarshana Yapa said at the weekly cabinet briefing more..

Nov 12 (GDI) The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has taken steps to celebrate their Silver Jubilee today (12) at Hotel Hilton under the patronage of Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe. The National Building Research Organisation was reborn in 2007 under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights, with the blessings it received from Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, more..

Nov 12 (GDI) The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) together with Ceylon Petrol Terminal Ltd. will introduce petrol filling stations in the Northern Province. They have commenced constructing and reconstructing petrol filling stations in Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Vavuniya districts and it is expected to set up new filling stations at Mankulam, Kilinochchi, Palei, Mullaitivu, Mannar, Puliyankulam, Wellankulam, and Pulmoddai areas firstly. more..

Nov 12 (GDI) The National Dengue Prevention Unit of the Health Ministry said the number of dengue patients in the Colombo, Gampaha, Matale and Vavuniya districts have increased once again with rains having set in a torrential manner in many parts of the country. A large number of patients suffering from dengue have been reported during the past week alone. The total number of dengue related deaths since the beginning of this year now stands at 275. more..

Nov 12 (GDI) The Ministry of Indigenous Medicine has taken steps to provide employment to Ayurvedic doctors. It would be incorporated into the national policy program now being formulated for presentation to the Cabinet, Minister of Indigenous Medicine Tissa Karaliyadde made these observations at a sub-committee meeting held at the Ministry recently where matters relating to this were discussed. more..

Nov 12 (GDI) “The shadows terrorism haunt in the background though terrorism has been eliminated. Therefore it is inevitable that the state of emergency should continue in the interest of public security” Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake asserted at a function to commemorate Anagarika Dharmapala at the Dharmapala Vidyalaya Pannipitiya where several old boys of that school were felicitated today. more..

Nov 12 (SLW) EPRLF-P General Secretary Mr. Sridharan said that he is very happy with the current rehabilitation process in North. "The rehabilitation is now on a fast track. We are happy about this development. We see positive trends also from the left parties. Mr. Vasudeva Nanayakkara was in Jaffna recently and we see a process of positivity. Many efforts are now taken in towards reconciliation. We are satisfied with the government efforts in North. more..

Nov 12 (LP) The new Visa Application Centre, TT Services, has commenced operations from Thursday November 5, 2009 to offer a broad range of visa related services, says the High Commission of Canada to Sri Lanka and Maldives. The High Commission noted that the centre would also provide temporary residence services (Visitor, Student and Temporary Worker Visas) in the form of receiving applications, reviewing them for completeness, answering questions about basic application requirements, more..

Nov 12 (AT) In a democracy, the buck stops at the door of the political executive. For good or bad. It is the political executive that faces the music. Because the political head is accountable to the people, who reposed faith in him (or her) leadership and entrusted the reins of the nation. This is the accepted maxim. Internationally! Sri Lanka is no exception. So, why this hullabaloo over who should be responsible for the defeat of the LTTE? more..

Nov 12 (LP) Recently appointed Katana SLFP organizer Dr. Mrs. Sudarshani Fernandopulle and wife of Former Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle who was fatally wounded by a suicide bomber at Weliweriya last year speaking to Lankapuvath stated that there is no assurance of security and no amount of security could guarantee safety when Police officers themselves get involved in betrayal and sell-offs. more..

Nov 12 (SLW) The police have decided to ban all kinds of prayer meetings in Colombo for faith healing within the Colombo city limits with immediate effect. This was revealed when delegates of the National Sangha Council met the new IGP to explain the deaths that has occurred during such meetings. The delegation of the National Sangha Council said that the new IGP assured them that more..

Nov 12 (LP) The Pakistani Air Force Commander, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman will arrive in Colombo today afternoon starting a three-day brief visit to the island. He would meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonathilaka and other service chiefs. The Commander would visit the Katunayake Air Force base and other military installations. more..

Nov 12 (GV) Is it just me or are you also wondering how many times can the government of Sri Lanka shoot itself in the foot or put the proverbial foot in the mouth when it comes to manageing it’s diplomatic affairs? Since executing the war against the LTTE to it’s logical conclusion a mere 5 months ago, the government of Sri Lanka has managed to antagonize just about every Western European nation and more..

Nov 12 (GV) Once in a way, in this sad little Republic as Mano Ganeshan aptly calls Sri Lanka, there happens discussions, worth following up on. So thank you Mano, for following up on my previous article to respond positively and I take it from you to develop this discussion further, leaving space for you especially and any other to join in. more..

Nov 12 (LT) There are reports that there would be a severe shortage of fuel due to the ‘work to rule’ launched by the employees of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation jointly with employees of CEB, Port and Water Board. This is mainly due to the large scale buying of fuel by consumers days before the ‘work to rule’ campaign was launched. Last time when employees of CPC carried out their ‘work to rule’ campaign the government stated it would take measures so that there would not be any shortage of fuel for consumers. more..

Nov 12 (Island) A mob attack on a place of religious worship in a Colombo suburb recently, while drawing public attention to the simmering fires of religious intolerance in some quarters in this country, provokes a reexamination of unresolved issues at the heart of Sri Lanka’s citizenship question. The attack on the place of worship needs to be unequivocally condemned by all, including, of course, the state. more..

Nov 12 (LNP) Sri Lanka has dismissed any suggestion Tamils are oppressed within its borders, saying those aboard the Oceanic Viking were drawn to Australia by its `magnetism` rather than the need for asylum. Sri Lankan Ambassador to the UN Palitha Kohona last night denied the Tamils aboard the vessel had started their journey from his country, describing them as `economic refugees looking for greener pastures`. more..

Nov 12 (LNP) Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, wife slain Minister Jayaraj Fernandopulle and SLFP Organiser for Katana yesterday told The Island that she had never suspected SP Lakshman Cooray s involvement with the LTTE even after her husband s assassination. She said once Cooray had brought to her notice a move to serve him a charge sheet over the assassination in relation to shortcomings in security arrangements. more..

Nov 12 (LNP) The JVP has taken upon itself the task of protecting democracy, eradicating political violence, battling the suppression of dissent, restoring human rights and bringing about equality. It is opposed to the Executive Presidency, which, it says, is a threat to democracy. As part of its political crusade, it has even opted to join forces with the capitalist UNP and more..

Nov 12 (LNP) Central Bank Assistant Governor, Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe said the economy has been diversified and as a result Sri Lanka recorded a 1.8 percent growth in Gross Domestic Production (GDP) on a year on year basis in the first half of this year. The three main sectors of agriculture, industry and services grew by 3.7 percent, 2.4 percent and 1.1 percent and with the rehabilitation in the Northern and Eastern provinces it is expected to provide an impetus to growth. more..

Nov 12 (LNP) Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa would be the only candidate of the Government at the Presidential Election. Speaking at a press conference at the Media Centre for National Development, the Minister added that there would be no one to challenge President Rajapaksa. His candidature will be announced at the Sri Lanka Freedom Party convention. more..

Nov 12 (DN) The latest designs that propel high street fashion in leading international markets will be on display later this month at a rare exposition of current production styles and exclusive in-house designs by Brandix. The Brandix fashion show will be the opening segment of the Industry Fashion Show that follows the Ethical Fashion Symposium at the Mount Lavinia Hotel on more..

Nov 12 (DN) ‘Mangalaba’, is a word similar to ‘Ayubowan’ people of Myanmar use to greet people they meet. During my brief stay I have been able to view some of its ancient kingdom’s and the famous floating villages on a lake which are popular tourist attractions. During these trips I was able to savour Myanmar’s village life. Five months ago, President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his entourage visited Myanmar. more..

Nov 12 (DN) The Security Forces are ready to assist authorities to maintain essential services in the country, if required and if requested Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayak-kara said yesterday. However, no such request has been made as yet, he added as several trade unions of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) launched a work-to-rule campaign demanding a salary hike. more..

Nov 12 (DN) A special program to commemorate World Town Planning day, presided by Urban Development and Sacred Area Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardhana was held recently at the Urban Development Authority auditorium at Sethsiripaya, Battaramulla. The program was organized jointly by the Urban Development Authority, the National Physical Planning Department and the Institute of Town Planners, Sri Lanka. more..

Nov 12 (DM) The removal of hoardings and cut-outs along the Parliament Road and several parts of Colombo by the Urban Development Authority sparked angry protests from the UNP yesterday. UNP members charged Government was removing cut-outs with General Fonseka’s photograph. UNP MP John Amaratunge said it was wrong for the Government to show such disrespect to General Fonseka who was the driving force behind the defeat of the LTTE. more..

Nov 12 (Island) The go-slow organised by the JVP and UNP trade unions in the Petroleum Corporation, Ports, CEB and National Water Supply and Drainage Board could not topple the government, which was fully aware of the motives of JVP and UNP trade unions, Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said. He said the trade unions on the pretext of launching a work-to-rule campaign were trying to resort to sabotage. more..

Nov 12 (Island) Despite a few acts of sabotage commited by the joint UNP-JVP during the work to rule last morning, vessel and cargo movement have not been effected. In fact the berthings of three ships was also handled despite the efforts of the union members to disrupt operations at the port. Threats have been made to members of the Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya and the Management of the SLPA will take appropriate action against such offenders more..

Nov 12 (Island) Except an incident of assault on a worker attached to the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, no other incidents were reported from the four organisations, where a work-to-rule campaign was launched yesterday. The 50-year-old victim had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Accident Service, Sri Lankan Ports Union spokesman Chandima Mahagama said yesterday. He said that a high ranking official of the Ports Authority had got the victim assaulted. more..

Nov 12 (CI) Sri Lanka allrounder Tillakaratne Dilshan has suffered an ankle sprain but it is unlikely to keep him from the first Test against India, beginning on November 16 in Ahmedabad. He picked up the injury at the indoor nets in Mumbai, where for the seond day running no play was possible at the practice match against the Board President's XI. more..

Nov 12 (Hindu) Over 40 persons belonging to different political parties and Tamil organisations were taken into custody here on Wednesday after they staged demonstrations in various parts of the city to protest the visit of Nirupama Rajapaksa, Sri Lankan Member of Parliament and cousin of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and her husband Thirukumaran Nadesan to Tiruchi. The couple arrived here from Madurai by road on more..

Nov 12 (LBO) Sri Lanka's information technology agency aims to deploy more widely a web-based crop price tracker and use mobile phones to help farmers improve production and marketing, an official said. Chitranganie Mubarak of the Information Communications Technology Agency (ICTA), said the project is part of the agency's 'e-Society programme' which aims to take the benefits of ICT to all sections of society. more..