Sri Lanka News : InfoLanka News Room

Sep 29 (GT) Sri Lankan expatriate forum Lanka Lions has produced a music video in Qatar paying tribute to the Sri Lankan war heroes who dedicated their lives to end the decades’ long internal conflict in Sri Lanka. “All the artistes involved in the project are Sri Lankan expatriates based in Doha,” vocalist, lyricist and composer Manjula Ranaweera told Gulf Times yesterday. There is only one song in the album, a duet, in Tamil and Sinhalese. more..

Sri Lanka recruits Tamil police

Sep 29 (BBC) Sri Lanka is recruiting Tamil police officers from the northern city of Jaffna for the first time in 30 years, defence ministry officials say. More than 6,500 people applied for 500 police constable jobs in Jaffna, a statement on the defence ministry website said. A police spokesman said that applicants were being vetted more strictly than recruits elsewhere in the island. Sri Lanka's military declared victory over Tamil Tiger rebels in May. more..

Need to take risks to overcome North-South Divide

Sep 29 (NPC) It was nearly two years after my last visit to Jaffna. On that occasion, in December 2007, the war was over in the east, and the Sri Lankan military was battling it out in the north. Late in the night we could still hear the thunder of artillery firing in the distance. There were hardly any visitors to Jaffna. The tension in the air was palpable and the people melted from the streets by 5 pm. more..

Ragging in Sri Lankan Universities - 'Chinese Perspective'

Sep 29 (AT) In a letter to an English Daily on 26th Sept., titled 'Ragging in universities', a subscriber observes, "...Ragging in universities must stop. The perverts must be punished severely...Get the military to give protection to the new comers. Our forces defeated the ruthless LTTE... Tackle these poisonous snakes..." A few weeks ago it was reported that 2 university students were on remand custody because more..

British Asians 'outsourcing murder'

Sep 29 (BBC) A BBC investigation has uncovered the deadly practice of British Asians travelling to India to hire contract killers. Family and business associates, who are lured to the sub-continent, are often the targets. In a country where murder is cheaper and less fraught with risk, the perpetrators of these crimes are rarely brought to justice. Campaigners in both India and the UK believe this to have claimed the lives of hundreds of victims over several years. more..

"Ranaviru Suwanda" awarding ceremony held

Sep 29 (MoD) The awarding ceremony of the "Ranaviru Suwanda" literature festival was held at the John De Silva memorial theater this evening (Sep 28). "The annual "Ranaviru Suwanda" literature festival was organized by the Ranaviru Seva for creating a forum to bring forward the talents of the war heroes and their family members" said a Ranaviru Seva Authority official. Industrial Development Minister Kumara Welagama was the Chief guest at the occasion. more..

Exposed: Ploy to provide LTTE remnants with sanctuary and Indian citizenship

Sep 29 (AT) Move to grant citizenship to Sri Lankan refugees is a ploy alleges Dr. Subramanian Swamy. Granting citizenship to Sri Lankan refugees in India is challenged. Dr. Subramanian Swamy has said that he was challenging the nefarious move to grant sanctuary to LTTE rump in India and legitimize them with grant of Indian citizenship. In a statement Janatha Party Leader Dr. Subramanian Swamy has pointed out that more..

Sri Lanka poor governance hindering productivity: expert

Sep 29 (LBO) Poor governance, weak institutions, high inflation and interest rates and protectionism, are hindering efforts by Sri Lanka's private sector to improve productivity, an trade promotion expert has said. Lloyd Yapa, a former government official who supervised an industrial export drive in the 1980s, also says companies should try to differentiate themselves in markets by adopting strategies that set them apart from competition. more..

About 45,000 acres paddy field to resume cultivation in North East

Sep 29(PSM) Nearly 45,000 acres of paddy fields abandoned due to terroisim is to resume cultivation during this Maha season both in Northern and Eastern provinces. The Northern farmers would cultivate more than 30,000 acres of paddy land in the North this season, a senior official of the Vavuniya District Secretary's office told. Another 15,000 acres during this Maha season at Vahaneri and more..

Anarkali Mutuhettigame and the Sothern Elections

Sep 29 (SLW) The Southern Provincial Council UPFA candidate Nishantha Mutuhettigama was further remanded until the 28th of Sept. today, by the Galle magistrate court. He was arrested yesterday and was produced in court by a special police team. Acting Magistrate A. P. G. Sarathchandra ordered to remand him until today. Mutuhettigame was arrested on charges of being a member of an unlawful assembly, trespassing, using loudspeakers without permission, more..

Tots initiating to the world of learning: “Vithyaarambam”

Sep 29 (HA) “Vijayathasami” is celebrated today-September 28th 2009, the last day of Navarathri or nine nights. The Navarathri festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga, Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Saraswathy. Vijayathasami is an auspicious day to initiate learning for the children, which is known as “Eadu Thodangal” or “Vithyaarambam”(Vithya means Knowledge, and Aarambam means Beginning) in Tamil. more..

Dehiwala Flyover for public transport next month

Sep 29 (GDI) The Flyover at Dehiwela which will be a solution to traffic congestion on the Galle Road will be vested in the public next month. All arrangements have been finalised for the opening. The project is funded by the British Government. The Flyover at Dehiwela is 337 metres long. Its total expenditure is 870 million rupees. Minister T.B. Ekanayake mooted the project under the Mahinda Chintana and on the instructions of the President. more..

A Case field against Ravi Karunanayake and three Others

Sep 29 (SLW) Its reported that Colombo high court Judge has decided on the last 25th instant to conduct the court proceedings relevant to the case filed against 3 including Ravi Karunanayaka the MP (UNP) as from 22nd of February next year without a break. According to media reports charges have been made against above 3 for making attempts to buy the shares of Union bank after using USD 3 million sent by a foreigner and a foreign company. more..

Who is helping IDPs in Sri Lanka?

Sep 29 (LG) Defeating the LTTE terrorist is one thing, but overcoming the remaining worldwide LTTE sympathizers’ political aspirations and demands, is another. These Eelamist lobbyists overseas are currently making desperate attempts to come up with alternate and camouflaged arrangements to pursue their campaign of subversion against the country and its democratically elected government. more..

What of Eric Solheim now, ladies and gentlemen?

Sep 29 (LG) A few years ago, when I was working in a Sunday newspaper, I was tasked among other things, to write the editorial. One Saturday a strange thing happened. I usually wrote the editorial on Saturday morning. I start on my weekly political column around 11.00 am and by about 1.00 pm I am done for the day. I then hang around until the city edition is all done, joking around with colleagues. more..

Hidden LTTE cadres threaten IDPs and all of Sri Lanka - Minister to UNCHR

Sep 29 (GDI) “There are still some persons among the IDPs who have not disclosed their former affiliation with the LTTE. These persons pose a risk not only to the IDPs with whom they are intermingled but, if released, can cause destabilization and chaos amongst civilians elsewhere in the country. It is for this reason that we have been very careful about releases and permitting full freedom of movement,” said more..

Controversies behind Sri Lanka’s IDPs

Sep 29 (AT) It is amazing how people who do not know any of these “IDPs”, people who have not even come to Sri Lanka, people who have so far not even sent a cent or contributed any aid are demanding that Sri Lanka’s IDPs be allowed “freedom of movement”. As of May there were 288,938 IDPs but only 2000 came forward to take their relatives. For those who have not even seen these camps, it is baffling how they can so authoritatively describe these camps as more..

LTTE Paris leader set up an armed group to intimidate breakaway faction

Sep 29 (AT) The leader of the LTTE in Paris, Sivaguru Balachndran has established an armed group under the guise of a security firm to intimidate breakaway groups from the terrorist organization. To prevent the French police investigations it has been named as the “Security Force of Tamil Expatriates”. Balachndran, as the head, issued a warning to the breakaway members to handover all LTTE assets to the organization or ‘face dire consequences’. more..

Govt must reverse anti-media actions -IFJ

Sep 29 (TC) The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins press freedom defenders in Sri Lanka in calling on President Mahinda Rajapakse and the Government of Sri Lanka to put an immediate end to the climate of impunity that has allowed a long campaign of intimidation and violence against independent journalism in Sri Lanka. The IFJ stands in solidarity with the movement of press freedom organisations and Sri Lankan civil society in demanding that more..

Work together to develop the country- Archbishop Most Rev. Dr. Malcolm Ranjith

Sep 29 (LP) Archbishop Most Rev. Dr. Malcolm Ranjith Bishop stated that stupendous dedication of President Rajapaksa and valiant soldiers of the country had paved a way to re-unite Sri Lanka which was divided for a long time. He said that the country was divided due to appalling attitudes of misguided people. All should be united to develop the country irrespective of petty differences. more..

'Mr. Rajapakse & his government have gone back to era of slaves'

Sep 29 (LT) “The Rajapakse government is engaged in a war with a slave. A sturdy soldier is set on a weak, naked slave. The sturdy soldier who apparently wins the brawl is hailed as a hero. This election too is carried out in such a slavish background. Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse carries out this election like carrying out an encounter in the era of the slaves,” said JVP MP Tilvin Silva. more..

Violation of Election laws by the President!

Sep 29 (LT) A teacher of has been released to engage in election work fantasizing that he should be released to monitor the field work of priority development work conducted by the Presidential Secretariat. A request has been made to the Chief Priest Director, Priven Education by the Presidential Secretariat to release Mr H R N B Kahawandala, a teacher attached to Pragnasagara Pirivena, Welgala, Ankumbura with full pay effective from 10.09.2009 to 11.10.2009 to more..

Last of the twenty baby Anacondas died

Sep 29 (LT) The last of the 20 baby anacondas born in August 2008 at the Dehiwala Zoo died yesterday morning, a zoo official said. Though the zoo officials say many reasons for the death of 20 baby Anacondas, the real reason for the death is the unsuitable living condition, trade union activist accused. National Zoological Gardens Director Duminda Jayarathne said the baby anacondas had been infected by bacteria known as ‘pseudomonades'. more..

UPFA Secretary has no discipline - Nishantha Muthuhettigama

Sep 29 (LT) "Though the UPFA Secretary tells me not to violate party discipline, it is he who has no discipline. I am really sad about that,” controversial UPFA candidate Nishantha Muthuhettigama said appearing in the Galle Courts yesterday. He said, “I admire the President and respect him. I ask the President not to lose that respect I have for him. I do not need Ministerial portfolios. I lost a Ministerial position last time because I was branded a Mahinda’s man”. more..

Conservation of natural resources more important than development - Minister

Sep 29 (LNP) Conservation of water and natural resources is of far more importance than infrastructure development such as road development in the present context, said Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka. People in some African Continent countries have to abandon their countries due to lack of water and end up in conflicts in other countries. Sri Lanka being an island, people have nowhere to go but to protect the natural resources, he said more..

No one can interfere in country’s Internal Affairs –Keheliya

Sep 29 (LP) Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Keheliya Rambukwella said that majority of countries which are trying to tarnish the Sri Lanka’s image by charging war crimes have not come to a democratic mainstream yet. Addressing a media briefing today (29th), he said that Sri Lanka is an independent country. People in this country have elected a democratic leader, who is also the Commander in-Chief. more..

So what have you got to say brother Solheim ?

Sep 29 (SLW) It is no secret how the UNP was driven around in circles by the LTTE and Norway during the so called peace accord in 2002. The so called political strategists, analysists, authorities and advisors who surround and support the UNP, usually would have been fast a sleep in Solheim's lap, or else how on earth did they miss such a deal. This is why the West wants obedient puppies like the one's in the UNP, to rule the developing world, more..

Bringing Down the Sun

'SL’s negative Business climate: Traders pay 64 % taxes ,spend 256 hours filling forms to pay them'

Sep 29 (UNP) Addressing a media briefing at the UNP media unit today, UNP M.P. Lakshman Kiriella revealed that according to the latest reports from the Census and statistics dept. of the Govt., 254,000 have lost their jobs during the last six months. In addition, the latest World report places SL as far down as in the 105th position among 150 countries in relation to a pro business climate. more..

LTTE propaganda machine worming into Aussie Parliament

Sep 29 (MoD) The Sri Lankan diaspora in Australia warned the shrewed LTTE propaganda machine was worming its way into the Australian Parliament through local sympathisers to distort the country's image and push for a human rights case against the Lankan Government. The LTTE which was pushed under ground after its 'hard to swallow' military defeat, was very much active in its vicious propaganda campaign in Australia as well as elsewhere. more..

Gaining peace, the saga of rehabilitation

Sep 29 (DN) Just a few years, or even a few months ago they knew only the power of the gun. They were trained to take lives, not respect them. They had heard only of conflict and destruction. The LTTE had brainwashed them into becoming killing machines. With the end of the war, these LTTE cadres have been freed from the shackles of the terrorist organization and have embarked on a journey towards becoming useful citizens. more..

Growing demand for Sri Lanka's plastic material

Sep 29 (DN) There is a growing demand for plastic material in Sri Lanka for the use of industries such as tea and spices. Plastic consumption is an indicator to measure development and we consume 8-9 tons of plastic annually, said Managing Director Liberty Group (Pvt) Ltd M. Loganathan. Liberty Group (Pvt) Ltd. pioneer in supplying basic plastic raw materials to the local market is the sole representative of Sumitomo Chemicals Asia (SCA), more..

Kotelawela pledges to grant 1/6 of personal assets

Sep 29 (DM) Ceylinco Group Chief Lalith Kotelawela yesterday pledged to submit an affidavit before the Fort Magistrate to grant 1/6 of his personal assets to the proposed repayment scheme of Rs. 3.9 million allegedly defrauded by the F&G Real Estate Company headed by him. President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsekularatne said his client would grant 1/6 of his personal assets to the proposed scheme since there was no other alternative to obtain bail. more..

Attempt to implicate Keerthisena fails

Sep 29 (DN) Renowned artiste Boodee Keerthisena has refused to participate in a convention in Germany organized by a group of members of the Sri Lanka diaspora resident in Germany, that aims to tarnish the good name of the country and discredit the Armed Forces. The organizers have left the details of the event, including its objectives and agenda hidden from him and invited him to participate in a discussion following a screening of his film 'Mille Soya'. more..

Election laws flagrantly breached in the office of the Assist. Elections Commissioner itself

Sep 29 (LeN) The open blatant and flagrant violations of the election laws in Galle and Matara Districts were clearly manifested at the Galle District Assist. Election Commissioner’s office. This picture shows a propaganda cutout unlawfully displayed over the steel fence of the Assist. Elections Commissioner’s office. Regretfully, there are also no signs that the Assist. Elections Commissioner has taken any action against this display. more..

Sahasapura re-awakening program by REEL

Sep 29 (DN) Urban Development and Sacred Area Development, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has instructed the new REEL Chairman D.J.U. Purasingha to launch an accelerated community development program to give a new outlook with an objective of benefiting the underserved communities in the city. This program has originally organized in the Sahasapura in which the first maiden condominium housing scheme ever placed on behalf of the underserved settlers in Colombo. more..

Nishantha tells Court, Police threatened to kill him

Sep 29 (Island) Controversial UPFA Galle District candidate for the forthcoming Southern Provincial Council elections and Akmeemana electorate SLFP organizer Nishantha Muthuhettigama yesterday told the Galle Chief Magistrate Thamara Tennekoon that he had been threatened with death by the Galle Harbour Police. He said he had no faith in the police. Muthuhettigama was addressing the Court from the dock after seeking the Magistrate’s permission to do so. more..

'Hambantota will be Sri Lanka capital soon'

Sep 29 (DM) “Built over two hundred years ago the city of Colombo is today in a bad state. A new capital is under construction at Hambantota to meet the future needs of the country.” said Transport Minister Dulles Alahapperuma. He made those comments at the opening of the Information Technology Training Centre of the divisional office of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau, Matara last Sunday. more..

All have now settled down prices continue good news trends

Sep 29 (Island) Plantation turbulence has now abated. The Estates, Tea Trade, Unions, Ministers, are now, hopefully, at their desks and dealing with hum drum routine functions. Tea picked up last week; quite against the grain that the industry was done for; when sold produce was blocked form arriving at Colombo go – downs. Effectively the Thondaman factor prevailed and normalcy restored. Workers gained from the wage package, so too plantation companies. more..

Environmental Act not implemented in the NWP

Sep 29 (Island) Environmental officers attached to the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), claim that the National Environmental Act was not being implemented in the North Western Province. As a result, there were massive environmental malpractices harmful to the environment taking place under the patronage of NW Provincial Council politicians, they said. The CEA was established under the National Environmental Act No. 47 of 1980. more..

Polls Chief halts transfers, recruitment in State Sector

Sep 29 (Island) Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake has instructed all Ministry Secretaries not to effect promotions or make new recruitments to State institutions and corporations until the forthcoming Southern Provincial election is over. The deadlines for submitting of applications and the dates fixed for interviews for new appointments will have to be extended, he says. more..

Probe allegations against Norway

Sep 29 (LNP) Norway is lucky that the so-called global alliance against terror-read the US and its allies-has double standards on terrorism and is after only Islamic terrorists who pose a threat to western interests. Else, Oslo would have been one of its targets for being a safe haven for a m lange of terrorist groups responsible for crimes against humanity. One of the Norwegian Ministers has been openly advocating the LTTE`s cause. Erik Solheim is his name. more..

Muthuhettigama drops bombshell

Sep 29 (DM) Controversial UPFA Galle district provincial council candidate Nishantha Muthuhettigama yesterday dropped another bombshell saying he was working for the people of Galle and not for President Mahinda Rajapaksa whom he said could not act according to his own wishes but abide by party policies. “Our party has discipline. The President cannot do everything as he wishes. The UPFA Secretary tells me not to violate party discipline. more..

Sri Lanka Cricket promoting religious discrimination?

Sep 29 (DM) Let me first declare my interests. I am a Colombo Tamil with nothing to do with LTTE. My parents and grandparents made Colombo their home long ago during the time of the British. I am an old boy of St. Thomas’, a prestigious school in Colombo. I always supported the SL cricket team. I now live in South Harrow. I am here on holiday to see my parents who live in Colombo. I shall post this letter on my way to the airport so that more..

SBS breached broadcasting rules over two episodes on LTTE

Sep 29 (ANI) The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has said that SBS breached broadcasting rules when it aired two episodes of the Tamil Language Program biased in favour of Tamil Tiger rebels, the LTTE. According to reports, both the episodes dealt with the conflict between the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE. In the first episode aired on October 26, 2008, it included an interview with a critic of the Sri Lankan government, more..

How and why the army fired on IDP’s at Menik Farm

Sep 29 (DBS) September 26th 2009 saw an altercation erupting between IDP “detained” at the Menik Farm IDP camp at Chettikulam and members of the Sri Lanka Army deployed in the area. While the defence ministry spokesperson Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara and the MCNS have provided “official” versions of what had supposedly happened independent probing by this writer reveals that the official story is rather inaccurate on key areas. Neither does it provide a clear picture of what had happened. more..

Sri Lanka may create bitterness by holding refugees, Ban says

Sep 29 (BN) Sri Lanka risks creating bitterness if it fails to rapidly resettle Tamil refugees held in camps since the defeat of the LTTE in May, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said. Further suffering under harsh conditions in the camps may result in growing bitterness, Ban told Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake at a meeting yesterday in New York, according to the UN. more..

'I won't mortgage Motherland'

Sep 29 (MoD) President Mahinda Rajapaksa promised the nation that he will not allow anyone to mortgage the Motherland or auction it under any circumstances.Addressing the gathering at the handing over of land deeds ceremony Ranbima at Temple Trees yesterday, President Rajapaksa said promises given under the Mahinda Chintana were being achieved one by one uninterrupted. more..

Sri Lanka oil explorer to hire drilling rig

Sep 30 (LBO) Cairn Lanka, which is searching for oil in Sri Lanka's offshore waters, has called for offers for a drilling rig to start test wells. The company, a unit of Cairn India, which is part of Britain's Cairn Energy, said it plans to start drilling test wells by January 2011 to May 2011. Under its exploration agreement with Sri Lanka, the company has to drill three firm wells and two optional wells. more..

Sri Lanka spice traders thwart protectionist move

Sep 30 (LBO) Sri Lankan spice traders say they have thwarted an attempt by few processors to push the government to impose an export tax that would have benefited their own industries but hurt growers, mostly small farmers. Spices and Allied Products Traders Association (SAPPTA) officials said there was a move to impose an export cess on pepper light berries and talk of a similar cess on nutmeg exports. more..