Sep 2 (TC) Police here have dismissed reports from the UN headquarters in New York that the late trial attorney with the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) was murdered. A senior police officer yesterday insisted, under condition of anonymity, that investigations were still underway on the death of the UN employee, Mr Shyamlal Rajapaksa, a Sri Lankan national. more..

Sep 2 (VoA) Sri Lanka has defended the sentencing of a Tamil journalist on terrorism charges despite international pressure and questionable evidence. Press freedom organizations say the charges are a blatant attack on independent media. Foreign Secretary, Palitha Kohona, said he was confident there was no political interference in the conviction of Tamil journalist J.S. Tissainayagam and that his case would be handled in a free and fair manner. more..

Sep 2 (IL) Sri Lankan Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya told a group of scholars and Asian experts Monday how the Sri Lankan military defeated the LTTE, as well as how the government will sustain peaceful reconciliation. Speaking before the Homeland Security Policy Institute of The George Washington University, Ambassador Wickramasuriya described a number of key developments that led to the government’s successful conclusion of the 25-year-long conflict with the LTTE. more..

Sep 2 (BN) President Mahinda Rajapaksa said he wants to achieve reconciliation with Tamil communities in the north and east now the civil war is over and the LTTE are defeated. “I want to be the leader who brings permanent peace and development to this country and reconciliation with Tamil communities,” Rajapaksa said in an interview, according to the government’s Web site. “The war is over. We have to start developing this country.” more..

Sep 2 (LT) The government levies a tax of about Rs.400 from a cylinder of gas and this amount is decided not according to the wishes of the people but by the cabinet says Minister of Trade Bandula Gunawardene. He said tax cannot be reduced as money for salaries, pensions and funds for development has to be found from funds collected from taxes. more..

Sep 2 (LG) It is said that a picture speaks a thousand words, but I suspect otherwise. When British television station Channel 4 broadcast a video of what it claimed to be a Sri Lankan soldier executing prisoners somewhere in the Vanni, there was almost no debate in Colombo. It was described either as a diabolical conspiracy to blacken the name of this country and its war heroes by diehard LTTE supporters in league with a West jealous of Sri Lanka because of its victory over terrorism, or more..

Sep 2 (GDI) The party has produced a number of legendary leaders who were committed to safeguard the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Late premier S.W.R.D.Banaranaike was the founder of this party. The party is also proud of the fact that majority of the members in parliament and the party rules the country. President Mahinda Rajapakse as the President of the party is the only leader who managed to wipe out terrorism from Sri Lanka more..

Sep 2 (Island) The year-on-year rate of inflation declined to 0.9 percent during the month of August after increasing marginally in July. The annual average change in the rate of inflation also declined to 8.5 percent, the lowest in two and a half years. The year-on-year change in the official inflation index, the Colombo Consumers’ Price Index (CCPI), recorded an increase of 1.1 percent in July from 0.9 percent in June. more..

Sep 2 (HA) “Udappu” is situated between the Dutch Canal in the East, Indian Ocean in the West, Poonaipitty village in the North and Pinkatti village in the South. According to some reports, that there was a flood in this area earlier, and it was called “Udaippu” afterwards. Another report says that people were looking for pure water and sea side, while searching for such place they found “Udaippankarai”. more..

Sep 2 (PSM) The high powered committee to resolve Vaharai land dispute between Tamils and Muslims met this week and heard disputed claims of both communities. Thereafter the committee has called for a detailed report on the issue within two weeks from the concerned authorities. The meeting was held at the Vaharai divisional secretariat. The disputed paddy lands are situated at Maruthankerny in Vahari DS division. more..

Sep 2 (LP) Mrs Anoma Fonseka took office as the Chairperson of the “Ranaviru Seva Authority” Kolpity this morning. Wife of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Mrs Anoma Fonseka was the Chairperson of the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Sinha Regiment for 11 years and also served as the Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Army Seva Vanitha Unit for over 3 1/2 years. Mrs Fonseka contributed a great deal for the welfare of the families and more..

Sep 2 (DN) The SLFP celebrates its 58th anniversary today as one of the major political parties that changed the destinies of the Sri Lankans in various ways. One should go back to the socio-political and economic state of the country in 1951 when S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike who was the Leader of the House and Health and Local Government Minister crossed over to the Opposition with five of his followers more..

Sep 2 (LP) Handing of credentials of several priests will take at the BMICH on the 11th of September. Venerable Waskaduwe Rathnasiri Thera will be presented with the honoury title “Siri Sugatha Sasana Wansapala GanaChariya Ariyawansathilaka Sri Medavi” and credentials as the Presidents post and Chief incumbent of the “Amarapura Sri Sambuddha Sasanodaya Sanga Sabha”. The credentials for the Sub incumbent ship for more..

Sep 2 (LT) There is severe criticism regarding the National Literary Arts Festival organized by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage. At the National Literary Arts Festival held at Kamburupitiya in Matara last year President Mahinda Rajapakse said the next festival would be held at Killinochchi. However, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and National Heritage nullifying President’s statement has organized the festival in Polonnaruwa. more..

Sep 2 (LT) A three day strike against the failure to pay the salary increment due to employees of CEB would be launched soon says Member of the Steering Committee of the United Trade Union Front of the CEB Ranjan Jayalal. Speaking at a media meeting held in Colombo on the 31st he said, “We are making plans to get employees of Port Authority, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, Water Resources Board and state banks to join us. more..

Sep 2 (TN) Despite government’s publicity that all fishing restriction in the north have been lifted Sri Lanka Navy continues to impose ban on night time fishing in the seas of Jaffna peninsula, fisheries society sources said. SLN insists on the fishermen to install radar reflectors on their boats and catamarans if they want to go night fishing. As these radar reflectors are not available in Jaffna more than 2500 boats and catamarans lie idle, more..

Sep 2 (MoD) Responding to the Norwegian diplomatic attack on the United Nation's Secretary General that he lacked leadership and charisma Ban Ki Moon has said since they come from different backgrounds their styles of charisma or leadership could be different. "We all have a different background, leadership styles. We must respect each others," adding "I have my own leadership style, my own charisma." more..

Sep 2 (LT) A group of Sri Lankans in Qatar has informed Sri Lankan Embassy there to find them alternative jobs as there is a risk of losing their employment in the very near future. Among those who have sought help of the Sri Lankan Embassy to find them employment are about 200 Sri Lankans who have been employed in Qatar for many years. Several who have sought the assistance of the Sri Lankan Embassy said they have been already told by their employers to find other jobs. more..

Sep 2 (SLBC) The Ministry of Cultural Affairs and National Heritages has taken measures to amend the current act on Art Council and established a more empowered new body. The current Art Council Act was prepared in the year 1952. Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena says it is vital to give priority for Tamil literature. The Ministry will take measures to publish more Tamil literature books in near future with the assistance of the Art Council. more..

Sep 2 (SLBC) School text books need for the next year will be circulated from tomorrow. The inaugural function of the circulation of text books will be held under the patronage of Minister Susil Premajayantha tomorrow morning. The Ministry of Education has estimated that 30 million text books are needed for the next year. Circulation of text books will be concluded by the end of November. more..

Sep 2 (MoD) The Government will provide marketing facilities to fishermen in the North and East to sell their day's catch in the same day at the Narahenpita Dedicated Economic Center (DEC). This decision was taken at the Cost of Living Committee chaired by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, to uplift the socio-economic conditions of Northern and Eastern fishermen while providing fresh fish to consumers. more..

Sep 2 (MoD) A team of heroic Sri Lankan forces who disproved to the world the popular Western notion that terrorism cannot be defeated were scheduled to join in the 40th National Day parade in Libiya, exhibiting the strong Libyan-Sri Lankan friendship, government sources said. The Sri Lankan troops flown to Tripoli, were met by Libyan leader Muammar Al Gaddaffi, more..

Sep 2 (LT) A center has been established with the mediation of the JVP to study issues of IDPs, to find relief to them and speed up resettlement process. The fist press conference of the center was held at the Head office of the JVP at Pelawatta today (1st). JVP MP Vijithe Herath said, “As soon as the war was ended the government said a definite programme would be prepared for the IDPs. A 14 point programme was proposed at a summit of all parties. more..

Sep 2 (LNP) The JVP called for a facebook for the IDPs on internet so that their relatives could locate their whereabouts and other details about them. JVP MP Bimal Ratnayake told a news conference that Sri Lanka should follow Cambodia where photos and details of the war displaced persons were published from time to time. He said the Health Ministry report on the IDPs have let the cat out of the bag as the death rate in the camps have been higher than international standards. more..

Sep 2 (LNP) FACETS SRI LANKA 2009,scheduled to begin in Colombo tomorrow,has attracted nearly 200 confirmed foreign buyers,the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA) said. President of the SLGJA, Macky Hashim said that they have not set any specific sales targets as such,but were confident of raking in orders,in an environment devoid of war and more suited for trade and commerce. more..

Sep 2 (LNP) Mr. Velupillai Prabhakaran and his partners in crime are resting in peace but the general public is without peace of mind owing to disproportionate security provided to petty politicians. Nobody will dispute that key political leaders and the defence top brass are still targets and therefore need to be protected at any cost. But, it is the lesser minions with massive egos to nurse by parading huge security contingents who have become a nuisance. more..

Sep 2 (UNP) UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe frowned upon the Govt.’s additional monthly payment of Rs. 100,000, an increase in the allowances to Ministers rceently. In other words they have got a salary increase of 150% , he pinpointed. But, when the workers ask for wage increases, the Govt. talks of the war and its bankruptcy, he regretted. more..

Sep 2 (LNP) The global financial crisis has opened the eyes of the world economic power houses to the importance of applying solutions across the spectrum to encompass Third World countries. No longer can these Western economies operate in isolation given the increasing interdependence between economies in a globalised structure. It is also gratifying to note that the powerful economic blocs such as the G20 are veering away from its hegemony and more..

Sep 2 (DN) There will be more economic activities in the country with the positive economic environment and the local financial sector would need more banks to cater to this demand. At present there are 22 licensed commercial banks and 14 licensed specialized banks in Sri Lanka. However, the country’s economy needs more banks to cater to the demand. It is important for banks to expand their services in rural areas or new banks to commence their operations targeting the rural community, more..

Sep 2 (DN) There are many condominiums to be redeveloped in the city of Colombo but developers are reluctant to redevelop them, said the General Manager, Condominium Management Authority, G. U. Upawansa. He said that developers are keen on constructing new condominiums because redevelopment brings fewer prospects for them. The CMA has issued 84 completion certificates for condominium projects during the first eight months of this year. more..

Sep 2 (DN) Two persons including a child were killed on the spot and 44 others injured when a bus hurtled down a 100 foot precipice at Galagedara, Kandy on Monday. A group of people returning from a pilgrimage met with the accident when their ill-fated bus ran off the road and went down a 100ft precipice around midnight. "The accident had occurred about 300m away from the Galagedara police station along the Kandy- Kurunegala main road," more..

Sep 2 (DM) The British High Commission said the Sri Lankan passport holder who was reportedly helped by a British diplomat in Colombo to travel to London without a valid visa was an immigrant whose application to a British court challenging her removal from Britain went in her favour and had to be taken back to London at British government expense. “Given the particular circumstances of the case the requirement for a visa was waived and more..

Sep 2 (Island) The Government Medical Officers’ Association said it will ask the Health Secretary for a ruling on whether its specialists were to continue requesting patients to purchase certain medical devices needed in sugeries from the private sector. GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr. Chandana Atapattu, addressing a press briefing said yesterday, that some drugs and devices were not provided by the Health Ministry. more..

Sep 2 (Island) The government will shortly decide whether to axe the exemption of CEB workers from PAYE (pay as you earn) tax. The arrangement has been disputed by the Auditor General and the parliamentary watch dog on public sector waste, corruption and irregularities. Well informed sources told The Island that the government would have to take a firm decision on this issue before more..

Sep 2 (Island) University sources said that seniors of the Management Faculty of the Sri Jayawardenapura University had continuously ragged newcomers due to the failure on the part of the administration to act swiftly on a series of complaints. Sources said that parents of students targeted by the seniors had called for immediate intervention by the Higher Education Ministry and the University Grants Commission to restore law and order on the campus. more..

Sep 2 (DM) Academic and Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Alternatives Dr. Pakiasothy Saravanamutte was detained at the Bandaranayaka International Airport upon his return to Colombo from an overseas trip early this morning and questioned by the TID and later released. Dr. Saravanamuttu, who had just last month lodged a complaint with the police over a death threat, was not told why he was being detained but was only informed that TID officials had wanted him questioned. more..

Sep 2 (GDI) The 40th anniversary commemoration of the Libyan revolution got off to a spectacular start yesterday with a colourful extravaganza in the Green Square in the city of Tripoli in Libya graced by President Mahinda Rajapaksa with 40 other Heads of States and dignitaries. The ceremony was described as an event lauding the achievements of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s more..

Sep 2 (DM) Some TNA MPs will bring a resolution at the party’s parliamentary group meeting tomorrow to register it with the Elections Commissioner as a separate political party immediately. The TNA, an amalgam of Tamil political parties, has remained as a loose alliance, and contested the elections under the ‘House’ symbol of the ITAK. In this alliance, there are four MPs belonging to the TELO, three to the TULF, two to the EPRLF and one to the ACTC more..

Sep 2 (CI) MS Dhoni and Tillakaratne Dilshan lead the list of nominations at the sixth ICC Awards. Both have been shortlisted in three categories for their performances between August 13, 2008 and August 24, 2009. Eighteen players have received at least two nominations for their performances during this period, which includes the 2009 World Twenty20 in England, the 2009 Women's World Cup in Australia, and more..

Sep 2 (PTI) Pakistan Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani has assured Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa that Islamabad would share information on the March 3 terror attack on the island nation’s cricketers in Lahore that had left six players injured. Mr. Gilani told Mr. Rajapaksa that Pakistan will share information with regard to what happened to the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore once the investigations are completed, more..

Sep 2 (AFP) Sri Lanka on Wednesday rejected international criticism of the sentencing of a journalist to 20 years of hard labour over his alleged links to Tamil Tiger separatist rebels. The foreign ministry in Colombo said the widespread condemnation, led by the United States and media rights groups, was an attempt at "undermining the independence of the judiciary of Sri Lanka." more..

Sep 2 (DM) The government will consider appropriate ‘Constitutional requirements’ if there were constitutional constraints for incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa to take oaths soon after the conclusion of the Presidential Election which the government expects to hold in the first quarter of 2010, little less than two years prior to the expiry of his first 6 year term, more..

Sep 3 (Guardian) If you were asked to stick pins on a map of the world to denote the most hallowed venues in cricket, it's safe to say that Barnfields in Staffordshire probably wouldn't get one. Moddershall, who play there, do have a claim to fame, though. It was from the relative anonymity of North Staffs & South Cheshire Premier Division cricket that Rangana Herath was summoned to Sri Lanka to play a Test series against Pakistan. more..

Sep 3 (LT) Three journalists of ‘Lanka Irida’ Sinhalese weekend newspaper who had gone for a media coverage to Deniyaya in Matara have been arrested by police say reports reaching us. The three journalists arrested by the police are Shalike Wimalasena, Ravindra Pushpakumara and Daya Tennekone. When ‘Lankatruth’ inquired from Deniyaya Police, the officers there said no journalists have been arrested. more..

Sep 3 (NB) "I feel guilty leaving a child at home but we have economic constraints and I have to work," says Devika Withanage, 37, a management assistant in a government department in Colombo. Devika's son, Thenuka, is now one-and-a-half-years-old. She had stayed home for the maximum period of six months allowed to her - three months paid maternity leave plus three months on half pay - to attend to her newborn. more..

Sep 3 (BBC) A vigil is being held in London for the jailed Sri Lankan Tamil journalist, J.S. Tissainayagam. Tissainayagam was sentenced on Monday to twenty years in prison after being convicted on terrorism charges. The vigil, organised by the human rights campaign group, Amnesty International, is being held outside parliament. Attendees are putting black tape across their mouths in protest against what they say is a violation of freedom of expression. more..

Sep 3 (LBO) Sri Lanka has launched the country's first closed-end mutual fund with a target of raising one billion rupees, which will be quoted on the Colombo Stock Exchange, officials said. "This fund is mainly for investors who have not entered the equity market," S Jeyavarman, chief executive of National Asset Management (NAMAL), a fund management firm, said. "The outlook for the equity market is good in the coming years and the fund wants to capitalize on it." more..

Sep 3 (LBO) A big Sri Lankan apparel exporter has set up a new factory in the east after it was cleared of Tamil Tiger rebels, saying its main baby wear product has not been affected by the slump in demand caused by recession. Kumar Dewapura, chairman of Tristar Apparel Exports, said the 50,000 square foot factory in Trincomalee has got its first order from Debenhams in the UK for half-a-million pieces of baby wear. more..

Sep 3 (CI) New Zealand put a small part of their tour blues behind them by clinching an inspirational three-run win over Sri Lanka in the first of two Twenty20s at the R Premadasa Stadium. The coloured clothing was out and with it a fresh look to New Zealand's Twenty20 unit, but it was the pair of Ross Taylor and Daniel Vettori who ultimately gave the tourists something to smile about. more..

Sep 3 (LG) The sentencing of J.S. Tissanayagam is deeply distressing. While I'm neither a attorney, nor conversant with the details of the evidence presented by the prosecution, nor the text of the judgment delivered -- and so can not comment on those areas, it seems clear that this judgment and sentence was only possible given the Prevention of Terrorism Act, of 1979. Two features stand out, given the PTA-- the narrow bounds allowed for freedom of expression, on certain themes, and more..