July 20 (Island) As a medical specialist who looked after Minister Wimal Weerawansa during his hunger strike I think it is my duty to explain some facts to the erudite readers of this newspaper. The doctor patient encounter or the consultation is a private and a confidential encounter. Due to the circumstances not amenable to me the examination and the treatment of Mr Weerawansa was carried out under the glare of more..

July 20 (LBO) Sri Lanka's Etisalat unit said it was spending 163 million US dollars to expand its network into war ravaged north of the country and improve its broadband services in urban areas. The expansion will see 480 new base stations taking the total to 1580, which the firm says will be the largest in the island. "We are investing 163 million US dollars (18.5 billion rupees) to more..

July 20 (DN) The Second Phase of the Presidential initiative on English as a Life Skill was launched at a ceremony held at Temple Trees yesterday. The ceremony also marked the successful completion of Phase I of the project which was inaugurated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in June, last year. This project is launched by the Presidential Task Force on English and IT more..

July 20 (OI) A delegation of Tamil MPs from Colombo today met Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to seek India's intervention in accelerating rehabilitation of displaced Tamils in Sri Lanka. "We have requested the intervention of India and the Chief Minister for the welfare of Tamils," R Sambandan, who led the delegation of TNA MPs, told reporters after the meeting with Karunanidhi. more..

July 20 (CI) It was a strange and fascinating day full of the unexpected: The ball talked in the morning, Ishant Sharma impressed, Lasith Malinga thrilled and Rangana Herath became an unlikely hero. Ishant had everyone spellbound in the morning with captivating seam bowling but Herath and Malinga - yes, you read right - stole his thunder with entertaining half-centuries to ensure Sri Lanka retained control on the first Test. more..

July 20 (LeN) The JVP pointed out, if measures are being taken to discuss with political parties on the Constitutional amendments, firstly the Govt. should present a summary of its amendment proposals before the people. It is only then discussions can be held on the basis of those proposals. On the other hand, if these proposals are just for the Govt. to while away its time inviting various views, the JVP will not waste its time participating in these discussions. more..

July 20 (LNP) On top of its mounting debts, already running into billions of rupees, the CEB incurred a further loss of Rs. 60 million by providing electricity to the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, mostly for the Indian International Film Awards (IIFA) conducted there last month. CEB Chairman Vidya Amarapala, while confirming the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium owed that amount mainly for power used for the IIFA festival, more..

July 20 (MoD) Commissioner General of Rehabilitation, Brigadier Sudantha Ranasinghe said that over 300 ex-LTTE child combatants would sit for the G.C.E Advanced Level (A/L) examination in coming August. According to commissioner General they had to stop their education as LTTE had forcibly recruited them into its fighting units at the expense of their education and wellbeing. more..

July 20 (NP) At a New York warehouse, a Canadian named Thiruthanikam Thanigasalam watched as a wooden crate was pried open to reveal the tubular frame of a Russian SA-18 missile launcher. An engineer from Toronto and a weapons buyer for Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels, Thanigasalam had agreed to pay almost $1-million for 10 of the launchers, 20 Igla missiles and 500 AK-47 assault rifles. more..

July 20 (Island) The SLMC and UNP MP R. Yogarajan yesterday released what they termed the final report of the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) report, which outlines the basis of power sharing, role of the Senate, Community Council, distribution of powers between the Center and Province and safeguards against secession. Deputy Secretary of the SLMC Nizam Kariapper, said that more..

July 21 (BBC) The US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, Robert O Blake, is to arrive in Sri Lanka on Wednesday for talks with the Sri Lankan leaders. “Assistant Secretary Blake will have consultations with the Sri Lankan government, political parties, business leaders and civil society,” a statement by the US embassy in Colombo said. Mr. Blake is to visit Maldives on Thursday. He is expected to discuss the political uncertainty in the atoll nation, more..

July 21 (CT) Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa today (July 20) told parliament that he would inquire into the reason for not permitting DNA parliamentarian Gen. Sarath Fonseka from attending to parliamentary affairs. Gen. Fonseka raised a privileges issue in the House alleging that the Army Commander had refused permission for him to attend two consultative committee meetings in parliament two days ago. more..

July 21 (BBC) A court in the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo, has ordered to arrest a senior police officer who failed to appear before the court to give evidence in a case against a Tamil Tiger suspect. Assistant Superintendant of Police (ASP) SL Ranasinghe of Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) did not appear to answer questions a case against LTTE suspect Thyagaraja Ruban taken for hearing at Colombo High Court. more..

July 21 (TA) Gulf Air has announced the launch of service to Aden in Yemen and re-launching of flights to Colombo in Sri Lanka. The airline will begin services to Aden via Sana’a from September 22 with four weekly services while Colombo service will begin from October 5 with five flights per week. The flights to these new destinations will be served by an A319 and A320 aircraft respectively. “The launching of services to these two new destinations further more..

July 21 (HT) The Sri Lankan government seems to be worried sick about the state of journalism here. What else could have prompted its sudden longing to introduce a new set of media ethics guidelines to promote professionalism and skills among journalists? The guidelines are to be bunched under the soon-to-be-formed 'media development authority' (MDA), which might sound wholly like a civic body where babus hunch over ageing type-writers, but more..

July 21 (CI) Left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, who hit a career-best 80 not out in Sri Lanka's first-innings score of 520-8 declared, was confident of proving effective on a fourth day pitch and said Virender Sehwag's wicket was the key for the hosts to consolidate their strong position. The Sri Lankan bowlers had nipped out three Indian wickets, including Sachin Tendulkar, before stumps on the third day. more..

July 21 (G&M) A man deported to Sri Lanka is in hiding after being interrogated, and possibly tortured, in Colombo – the result, his Toronto lawyer says, of an exaggerated news release from the Canadian government trumpeting his removal. Jothiravi Sittampalam is asking the Federal Court of Canada to reopen his case, saying his life is in danger because of the “egregious” conduct of the Immigration and Public Safety ministers. more..

July 21 (ICP) While the UN Panel of Experts on Sri Lanka war crimes did, the UN confirmed on July 20, have the first of three days of meetings in New York on July 19, the UN now says that the four month clock for the Panel's report will not beginning in these three days. The UN would not say when it would begin. On June 22, UN Spokesman Nesirky said the Panel would finish "within four months of the commencement of its work." more..

July 21 (TN) Oorkaavattu’rai magistrate Tuesday ordered the body of the family consultant nurse Saravanai Tharsika allegedly killed by Sinhala doctor Thilagaratne in Veala’nai government hospital in the islets of Jaffna 10 July to be exhumed and sent to Colombo Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) for fresh medical examination as the victim’s mother had said that she suspects her daughter was sexually abused before being killed, in a petition filed Monday, more..

July 21 (HP) On the 15th anniversary of Srebrenica massacre, President Obama has led the way in reminding the world that the lessons of Srebrenica must continue to guide our moral compass. He has reminded us that "the name Srebrenica has since served as a stark reminder of the need for the world to respond resolutely in the face of evil." But more so, he has reminded us that after great atrocities, we still have a great duty to foster peace and reconciliation. more..

July 21 (LG) Measures for control of bribery and corruption need serious review. The Bribery Commission and the legal measures for control of bribery, though much acclaimed, are only of limited effect. Their means touch only the fringe of the problem. The bulk of the problems thrives unaffected. Even the limited legal means of the legal process are clogged within to deliver effective control. more..

July 21 (DM) Reports that President Mahinda Rajapaksa proposes to discuss constitutional reforms also with officials of the Election Commission should set the nation thinking. It is not just about shifting and changing from PR system to first-past-the-post scheme, or a new and more ‘representative model’. Instead, it should be about addressing and attacking the attitudinal psyche of the average Sri Lankan, his polity and their respective leadership. more..

July 21 (DM) It is a few of us who yet remember a time when a premeditated murder made headline news and a shocked society wondered as to whether criminal tendencies were formulated by social conditions or by hereditary genes. Today seldom does a day pass by when one does not hear of some crime generated by hatred and revenge. This feeling of revenge, anger and hatred is not only seen in the various crimes committed in the country but it appears to be more..

July 21 (TOI) It’s not been very long that Indian skipper MS Dhoni tied the knot to Sakshi Rawat. However, the media has already embroiled him in a web of controversy. With the ongoing India-Sri Lanka series being played in Galle, Sri Lanka, MS Dhoni, as luck would have it, was put up at the same hotel as actress Asin, who is in the country shooting for ‘Ready’ with Salman Khan. more..

July 21 (NF) Eight environment protection units attached to police stations have been set up in order to prevent environmental pollution taking place in and around Colombo. These units would operate under the supervision of the DIG in charge of Criminal Investigations, Anura Senanayake. The units had been established to look into illegal actions such as the haphazard disposal of garbage, blocking pavements and illegal constructions. more..

July 21 (CI) Sri Lanka have done their best to keep this match, which has lost close to 114 overs of play in three days, alive. Even when India were threatening to come back to level terms in the first session, the hosts maintained a run-rate of four. Rangana Herath and Lasith Malinga provided some unexpected entertainment with the bat and, more importantly, ruled out India's victory. Then they made an aggressive declaration, leaving Herath unbeaten 20 short of a maiden Test century. more..

July 21 (NF) The government intends to increase the basic salary of Senior Lecturers from Rs. 57,755 to Rs. 200,000, said Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake in parliament today. Minister Dissanayake was responding to an issue raised in parliament today by DNA MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake, drawing the attention of the government towards revising the salary scales of university lecturers. more..

July 21 (LG) Many people were taken surprised when the JHU monk Athuraliye Ratana logged a complaint at the Welikada Police station when he lost 1000 US Dollars. Athuraliye Ratana had lost this money at this extravagant residence -Asapuwa and so far, no one was arrested. Nobody knows how Athuraliye Ratana got a large amount of US currency (as he told the Police there were some 4,000 dollars in the safe) and even the Exchange Controller seems to have not taken any interest. more..

July 21 (GV) Dr. Lakshman Marasinghe in an article titled ‘Some Random Thoughts on the UN International Advisory Panel’, makes a serious suggestion to the Government; i.e. to obtain an Advisory Opinion (AO) from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague, to determine “whether it was within the power of the Secretary-General to appoint an Advisory Panel mandated as he has when appointing it.” more..

July 21 (LBO) SriLankan Airlines has taken delivery of its latest A330-200 wide-bodied aircraft as part of the national carrier's expansion programme that will double the fleet and add new destinations, a senior official said. "This is only the beginning of our expansion programme," SriLankan Airlines chairman Nishanta Wickremasinghe said. "We have a programme to double the fleet in the next three years. more..

July 21 (LP) The second phase of the Presidential initiative on English as a Life Skill programme was launched yesterday at a ceremony held in the President’s official residence Temple Trees. The programme promotes English Language Skills, especially speaking and communication skills across the country with the guidance and support of the Presidential Task Force on English and IT headed by Sunimal Fernando. more..

July 21 (SL) The police force today held a recruitment drive at Police Park to fill vacancies in the State Intelligence Services, according to police spokesman Prishantha Jayakody. Jayakody explained that several sub inspectors had recently been promoted, resulting in a shortage and necessitating the drive. He added that today’s event was merely a first interview. “We first have to process all the applications, before calling them back for a second verbal interview.” more..

July 21 (SL) Sri Lankan born Noor Nisham talks to LAKBIMAnEWS about the Tamil diaspora in Canada and the vital issue of Tamil dispora ferment in general. He is a lecturer in Communication Science at McMaster University, Canada: Q: As a Sri Lankan Muslim living in Canada how do you view the Tamil diaspora? Canada has a large Tamil population and there are many pro - LTTE organizations operating in Canada? more..

July 21 (Island) At the awards ceremony of the Mother of Sri Lanka Schools programme held at Temple Trees on 19th June the President very correctly underscored the importance of moulding the hearts of children and teaching them to think positively. He has told the audience you should think my first priority is my country, my second priority is my country, my third priority is my country. But this is a long term plan. more..

July 21 (TC) Much of the contemporary political comment in Sri Lanka is on the tale of two constitutions, the country’s basic law and that of the main democratic opposition party, the UNP. The commentary is also characterised by a zero-sum perspective, revolving around the question of whether or not the talks on changing the country’s constitution will dwarf and derail/deadlock the move for change in the UNP’s constitution and leadership. more..

July 21 (Island) Interview of Prof Rajiva Wijesinha. MA: Ok. So may be just for some background first. There has been a lot of discussion around the Panel that Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon has set up to look at alleged war crimes or abuses in the last stages of the war. What’s the government’s response to that? MA: Ok. So may be just for some background first. There has been a lot of discussion around the Panel that Secretary General, more..

July 21 (NS) As per a news item reported in a local newspaper last week, the Sri Lankan government strongly disputed a move by Secretary General of the United Nations Ban-Ki-moon to link the closure of United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Office in Colombo with the on-going dispute over his hotly disputed bid to delve into alleged war crime charges. Sources alleged that United Nation Seceratary General (UNSG) had made an obvious bid to more..

July 21 (NS) Patriotism is good thing; in fact, a noble sentiment, they say. Countries such as Japan and South Korea, which was reduced to shambles during World War II, have risen from the ashes of death and destruction, like the proverbial Phoenix, to become economic tigers in Asia, thanks to the patriotism of their peoples. When it comes to patriotism, Sri Lankans too, are not second to any other nation in the world. more..

July 21 (ST) Guttila panditha plays the veena to the royal audience in a contest with his pupil Musila while young dancers watch in fascination. The illustration that depicts this episode from the infamous jathaka tale of Guttila panditha who was a skilled musician serving King Brahmadatta of North India is taken from a 12th Century AC painting from Thivanka pilimage in Polonnaruwa - testimony to Sri Lanka’s rich painting tradition. more..

July 21 (BL) Sri Lanka’s plantation-rich Richard Pieris Company PLC (RPC) will shortly enter the leisure business aimed at developing five hotels, RPC’ Swiss based Chairman, Dr. Sena Yaddehige told The Bottom Line. “If we have a joint-venture partner to come with us for the development cost we will go immediately in a big way. If not, we would go slowly. But definitely we will go into the leisure sector in the near future,” more..

July 21 (Island) Though Sri Lanka finished the Eelam War in triumph a year back, its battle with the international community does not appear to be over. It was joined in right earnest last week when the maverick Sri Lankan minister and ‘revolutionary’ turned politician Wimal Weerawansa spearheaded a siege of the UN office in Colombo. He was demanding the withdrawal of the UN expert panel appointed to advise the more..

July 21 (TN) Jaffna Sri Lanka Army (SLA) high command has requested Sri Lanka Electricity Board Jaffna to supply electricity to the site where Tiger Heroes’ Resting Home had stood in Koappaay before being obliterated by SLA recently as it intends to construct a big permanent base for its 512 Division, sources in Jaffna said. Meanwhile, SLA, constructing several bases in Jaffna in haste, more..

July 21 (TN) Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers occupying Ki’linochchi are forcing the resettled civilians in Selvaanakar Eight Houses Scheme to vacate their houses claiming that their houses are built on private land, TNA Vanni parliamentarian Sritharan said. He added that SLA soldiers entering the Scheme during nights in the last few days have been attacking the men, women and children in the housing scheme indiscriminately. more..

July 21 (TC) The war is now over and the people of Sri Lanka are grateful to you for your contribution towards the country’s victory. The government should now look at the post war scenario and formulate a development strategy for the City of Colombo. The best and prime property in the Business District is occupied by the Armed Forces; this perhaps is a legacy from Colonial times when Colombo was a garrison city at the same time being the principal port and more..

July 21 (LP) The National Heritage and Cultural Affairs Minstry plans to develop the Mahamevuna Park in the ancient city of Anuradhapura. A spokesperson for the Ministry said that they hope to conserve the sacred site by giving it a face lift. Close to 600 acres of land will fall under the development project. The spokesperson also said that a reconstruction of roads is also planned so that vehicular traffic can flow could be smoother. more..

July 21 (LP) Speedy measures are being taken to uplift the livestock sector in the Jaffna district. Measures are taken to provide centres in the area which would provide the Jaffna youth with assistance and training in animal husbandry and to set up centres for animal breeding. The Deputy Minister of Livestock and Rural Community Development said that the Ministry also plans to develop cheese production in the areas. more..

July 21 (MoD) Valiant War Heroes who fought till the last during the famous 'Mullaittivu debacle' in the year 1996 when Tiger terrorists overran their camp were immortalized on the very date of the tragedy by erecting a special war memorial, adjacent to the 591 Brigade Headquarters in Mullaittivu. This war memorial, constructed by 9 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR) troops, was unveiled on 18th July 2010, more..

July 21 (MoD) The government with accordance with Northern provincial council has already allocated funds for the new Jaffna Zonal Education office complex. The office complex is to be built in Nallur and its foundation stone was laid under the patronage of Northern Province Governor Major General G.A. Chandrasiri on 15th July. The construction of the office complex is to be completed before end of this year, more..