Mar 9 (DN) Perera said there is an excellent response for the Bone China tableware, which was recently introduced to Sri Lankan porcelain industry. In 2008 the company invested Rs 160 million on this Bone China tableware manufacturing plant. The Bone China products are mainly exported to the countries such as Japan, USA, Europe, Australia South Africa and Middle-East. more..

Mar 9 (DN) A heap of ruins where a Hindu temple of Chola period was believed to have been buried has been unearthed in the Northern part of Delft. The temple is 40 feet long and 10 feet wide. It is built with lime stone. The roof is covered with lime mixed plaster. The other parts of the temple are in ruins. Professor P. Pushparatnam of the Jaffna University History Department commenting on the findings, more..

Mar 9 (DN) Major W.W.M.L. Palipana filed a Fundamental Rights petition before the Supreme Court yesterday against General Sarath Fonseka for contempt of court, in not complying with the Supreme Court order to reinstate him. The petitioner cited General Sarath Fonseka, Secretary Defence, Sri Lanka Army Pay and Records Director and the Attorney General as respondents in the case. more..

Mar 9 (Island) The Centre for Environmental Justice yesterday urged the Consumer Affairs Authority, Ministry of Health and Nutrition, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and the Sri Lanka Standards Institution to take action to provide mandatory standards and to enact regulations on the quantity of lead to be used in the manufacturing of paints. more..

Mar 9 (LNP) On suspicion that retired General Sarath Fonseka was providing feedbacks to American intelligence agencies to prepare war crime dossiers against Sri Lanka, the Army has clamp down on the extra-ordinary privilege granted to him to make two international telephone calls daily. From the very next day General Fonseka was brought under Army Custody at the Naval Headquarters, he was given the privilege of making two international calls daily, more..

Mar 9 (Island) A top business executive says successive governments have failed to understand the importance of the long term capital needs of the private sector while crowding-out the private sector from domestic credit to finance budget deficits through short term borrowings from captive sources while fiscal indiscipline could bring back high interest rates once again. Market interest rates are much lower than they were a year ago, more..

Mar 9 (Island) Central Province Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa has declared an Anti-dengue week in the central province after reports of an increase in the disease had caused alarm amongst the Provincial administration. Kobbekaduwa directed heads of all public institutions and local government bodies in the province to observe March 15 to 22 as the Anti-dengue week and more..

Mar 9 (DN) It had to happen. No election is complete without Ranil Wickremesinghe saying something really, really funny. A few days ago he said that Mahinda Rajapaksa and the UPFA had the hardware (the state apparatus) while he and the UNP had the software (strategies to turn things around). When I read the headline ‘Mahinda has the hardware, I have the software,’ I could almost hear a chorus of voices interjecting, ‘that is not news’. more..

Mar 9 (DM) Political parties and independent groups contesting the April 8 general election have violated the election law by putting up co-ordinating offices in excess of the number stipulated in the Parliamentary Election Act, polls observers said yesterday. The Act states that each political party and independent group can have only one election co-ordinating office for every polling booth. PAFFREL said it had noticed 15 political offices belonging to the same party in the Matara town alone. more..

Mar 9 (Island) The Jathika Nidahas Peramuna, has fielded candidates in sixteen districts through the UPFA. In this interview, Wimal Weerawansa, leader of the JNP, speaks to C. A. Chandraprema about the prospects of his candidates at this election and the radical transformation that has taken place within the JVP his old political party, within which he was formed into a political leader. more..

Mar 9 (DM) The Supreme Court yesterday ordered a massive total of 625 Petitioners, who are aggrieved Police Sergeants for the promotion to the rank of Sub Inspectors, to issue notice on the Respondents asking them to produce the marking scheme. The Bench comprised Justices Shirani A. Bandaranayake, P.A. Ratnayake and K. Sripavan. The matter was listed to be resumed on March 30. more..

Mar 9 (DM) With the foiling of the UPFA attempts to secure a two thirds majority as its key campaign slogan, the UNP led main opposition alliance has very little time for Fonseka’s predicament these days. After all now that the General has his own alliance, the DNA, which has the former commander’s plight as its sole focus there’s no need for the UNP to champion his rights, the UNP seniors would have thought. more..

Mar 9 (DM) The CID informed the Colombo Court Magistrate today that it had obtained the Internet Protocol (IP) addresses used by Dhanuna Thilakaranthna and were trying to trace his whereabouts through this information. Submitting a report in court, the CID informed the Magistrate that the IP addresses which were used by Dhanuna belonged to a United States based Internet Service Provider (ISP). more..

Mar 9 (LP) Dr. Mervin Silva Deputy Minister of Labour vowed he would resign from Parliament if a single member of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) led by Sarath Fonseka wins a seat at the forth coming General Election in April. He made the above statement speaking to Lankapuvath today. He further added that he would definitely win this election by a good majority and more..

Mar 9 (DN) An undertaking should be elicited from all candidates contesting the Parliamentary Election that they would not permit more liquor outlets to be opened in their areas, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said. He said the self-sufficient and rich indigenous economy was turned upside down by the colonial rule. “From time immemorial the freedom of our people was defended by our national heroes whose blood, sweat and toil were given to protect our country. more..

Mar 9 (DM) The government said it was concerned that some umbrella organizations of the LTTE were still trying to trace their leader, LTTE Chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, and the matter had been discussed with India. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama conveyed these concerns at a meeting held with Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao yesterday. Minister Bogollagama also informed Rao that Sri Lanka would continue to be vigilant and more..

Mar 9 (UNP) UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, asked whether the people are wishing for an unhealthy Health sector under a sick Govt. prostrated by its ill conceived national programs, or a health sector which is robust under a Govt. which is free from ‘sicknesses’? The Sri Lankans will have to make the choice at the forthcoming Gen. elections. more..

Mar 9 (IL) The International Women's Day was celebrated on 8th March 2010 by the Sri Lankan Embassy Seva Vanitha Unit (Women's Association) with a programme dedicated to women. It is recalled that the Embassy Women's Association celebrated this day for the first time on 8th March 2009. This year's programme was held at the Ambassador's residence at more..

Mar 9 (IPS) As a wife of a rice farmer and mother of two children aged nine and two, Sanjeevani Bandara’s days are packed with chores. Yet while she used to be able to keep up with all she has to do in a day, this Sri Lankan mother now finds herself struggling to accomplish even the most basic tasks. Blame it on the weather, which has been causing water shortages that force Bandara to spend more and more time fetching water for her family, farther away from home. more..

Mar 9 (AP) Sri Lanka's detained opposition leader has ended a hunger strike after just one day after authorities allowed him to use a telephone again, a party official said Tuesday. Former army chief Sarath Fonseka was arrested a month ago, accused of sedition, after he lost a January presidential election to incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He is detained in a naval complex in Colombo. more..

Mar 9 (LBO) Sri Lanka central bank has brought inflation down in 2009 with tight monetary policy but excessive government spending is threatening stability, Sri Lanka's main opposition UNP has said. "The central bank raised interest rates, withdrew liquidity and kept tight monetary policy," Harsha de Silva, an economist who has been nominated for the opposition list more..

Mar 9 (SLA) While the shift of focus is fast changing, Sri Lanka Army is earnestly determined to do its maximum by bringing about the reconciliation between Jaffna people and Security Forces serving the Jaffna peninsula. Tuesday’s ceremonial opening of the new Civil Affairs and Public Relations Office at Hospital Road, Jaffna by Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, more..

Mar 9 (LT) A petition was filed with the Supreme Court today by a group of people including JVP Member of Parliament for Tissamaharama Nihal Galappaththi moving Court to nullify the suspension of the Pradeshiya Sabha by the Chief Minister of the Southern Provincial Council. Lawyers Manjula Balasuriya and Sunil Watagala filed the petition on behalf of the petitioners. more..

Mar 9 (Hindu) The dissolved Sri Lanka Parliament, which was re-convened briefly, on Tuesday approved the proclamation signed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on March 1, extending the emergency laws by another month. The vote to extend the state of emergency by a month was passed with 93 votes in support and 24 against. The JVP, the main opposition, UNP and the TNA voted against the extension of emergency. more..

Mar 10 (Reuters) Sri Lankan rupee LKR closed firmer on Tuesday as banks sold dollars to buy rupees on hopes of rise in interest rates due to government's high domestic borrowing that has resulted high budget deficit, dealers said. The rupee closed at 114.05/10 per dollar, compared with Monday's 114.15/18, as banks bought the local currency to cover short positions amid tight liquidity in the market. more..

Mar 10 (UN) Women and girls uprooted by the conflict in northern Sri Lanka need assistance to maintain their health and dignity, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, said today. The Fund is collaborating with district health authorities to provide personal hygiene supplies to displaced people in Vavuniya district. In response to the large recent influx of displaced people – including thousands who escaped the combat zone this week more..

Mar 10 (GP) Many observers of Sri Lanka's conflict expected a rush of tourism following its end last year. And now journalists are tipping their hats in Sri Lanka's direction: in recent pieces, both The New York Times and Daily Candy have recommended the country as a go-to. In fact, Sri Lanka made the top of the Times' list of travel destinations for the year. Why go? For Daily Candy, the reason is that more..

Mar 10 (IOM) The Sri Lanka Country Director of USAID and Sri Lanka's Commissioner General for Rehabilitation today handed over equipment to help over 550 former Tamil Tiger combatants to start new civilian jobs in eastern Sri Lanka. The handover in Batticaloa, which included canoes, pumps, engines and tool kits for rice paddy cultivation and fishing, was part of a USAID-funded IOM pilot project to more..

Mar 10 (ADB) The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing additional financial assistance for the rehabilitation of conflict-affected areas in the Northern province of Sri Lanka, particularly to assist the return and resettlement of IDPs. ADB will provide a $12.8-million loan from its concessional Asian Development Fund (ADF) for the ongoing North East Community Restoration and Development (NECORD) Project II. more..

Mar 10 (DM) An official from the British Foreign office is due in Sri Lanka on a two day visit today for talks with Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry said and the recent controversy involving UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband is expected to figure in the discussions. Sir Peter Ricketts, the Permanent Under-Secretary (PUS) of the British Foreign Office is scheduled to call on more..

Mar 10 (UCAN) Catholics lit candles and held a Mass recently to express solidarity with the physically and mentally battered Haitians in the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck the country in January. About 150 Catholics gathered on Sunday, March 7, at All Saints’ Church in Colombo. Photos and banners of Haitian victims were strung up in the church, with one banner reading, “We pray for those who died slowly, unexpectedly and from prolonged suffering.” more..

Mar 10 (ENI) Sri Lankan religious leaders have called for free and fair polls scheduled for April in an election campaign that has already been marred by violence. "If you cannot uphold law and reject violence during the elections, how can we trust that you will do this after the elections?" leaders of Sri Lanka's Congress of Religions challenged about 7,000 candidates set to contest 225 seats for the national parliament in the April 8 elections. more..

Mar 10 (LT) A sudden fire broke out at Norochchole thermal power station say reports. Police spokesman SP Jayakodi said the fire broke out in a goods yard within the complex. The officers of fire extinguishing unit of Palaviya Ari Force camp and workers of he power station had put out the fire. The reason for the sudden fire has not been revealed yet.

Mar 10 (CI) After a quiet period it’s now time to move on again and gather momentum in Sri Lanka’s quest to be the best. The Sri Lankans headed home in mid-January having had enough of India, but with smiles on their faces. Of course, the rest and the opportunity to regroup and attend to any niggles, as well as time with the families and friends, was something to look forward to. But the real joy was wining in Bangladesh and the promise shown during what was two very tough months. more..

Mar 10 (LG) British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband had addressed the so called world Tamil forum at the UK Parliament Westminster building. It is reported that delegations from fourteen countries have taken part at this forum. Addressing the so called world Tamil forum David Miliband has mentioned that even though the so called civil war has ended , the so called peace has not reached Sri Lanka. Miliband singing his typical ‘baila’ had buttered the forum by more..

Mar 10 (DM) Man of the tournament at the concluded domestic Twenty-20 cricket championship, after scoring 277 runs at 69.25, which included the only century of the series, Jeewantha Kulatunga has been ignored for a place in the Sri Lanka 30-member provisional squad at next month’s World Cup in the West Indies. Kulatunga’s Wayamba team won the title last Sunday by more..

Mar 10 (IL) The Philosophy of Politics and the Philosophy of Law (jurisprudence) are often studied separately, but they both come back to the same thing: the study of force. Politics is the study of political force in the general community and jurisprudence is the study of how laws can and should be used to achieve political and social goals. Many religious theists believe that both law and politics should be based on a religious foundation, and more..

Mar 10 (LG) In my previous article Perdition or Paradise, I talked about our culture of impunity in Sri Lanka. Today, I want to talk about our “Right to Information,” the sacred heart of the body of all freedoms. Our right to information includes the right to seek, receive, and access informationheld by public authorities with regard to information held by government, and our right to convey information without fear of intimidation. more..

Mar 10 (IL) Tuesday, 2nd March, the iconic Time Warner Center in New York witnessed a rare opportunity, where a spicy Sri Lankan feast enticing a large gathering of top executives from the American corporate world. The unique culinary evening, staged by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington D.C. follows a week-long Sri Lanka food promotions held at the World Bank. more..

Mar 10 (HT) It was dusk when I checked into Bastion hotel in Jaffna. I had left Colombo at dawn. Layers of red dust had settled on me in spite of the car’s determinedly rolled-up windows. It took a clearance from the Lankan defence ministry and 12 hours to cross from Colombo on the west coast to the far north, road-distance of over 350 kilometers. The town was in Sunday somnolence. Markets were shut. more..

Mar 10 (SLW) Jaffna College is not a mere Fortress Vaddukoddai or a relic of the past freewheeling in her past glory. Neither has any one prescriptive claim on her. A legally incorporated body, she is vested in the community by its founding fathers to propagate its educational needs and well being. The school, managed by a Board of Directors has developed traditions and values unique to her just like famous and more..

Mar 10 (DN) The Trade Marketing Development and Consumer Affairs Ministry will raid traders who sells rice at high prices tomorrow onwards and will take legal steps against them, said Trade Marketing and Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Gunawardena said. After thirty year war situation in the country, this time both Sinhala and Tamil people can celebrate Sinhala and Tamil new year peacefully. more..

Mar 10 (LG) Moses, after years of slavery of his people in Egypt, led them to the promised land, with the help of external assistance, that of God. After wandering all over the Middle East, he staked his people's homeland in the only area where there was no oil. So with the Tamil Leaders! After years of politically representing and leading the NE Tamils, with the external assistance of the Diaspora, more..

Mar 10 (TC) UN is pointing the accusing finger at Sri Lanka with NGOs trying to suck the blood out of Sri Lanka. But, the outgoing foreign minister Bogollagama who everything is foreign is only committed to bring shame on Sri Lanka with his personal needs and deeds. It is reported in the media that a journalist had even questioned the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon about the infamous letter sent by Bogollagama more..

Mar 10 (TC) Among the war devastated to be rehabilitated, the displaced of Wanni are a category apart. Battered by cruel fate, they evoke our sympathy and call for proactive support. War was traumatizing. Embargoes impoverished them. Attempts at rearing their heads met with repeated failure. Today they lead a life of deprivation and penury. more..

Mar 10 (LP) At the right end of the history of JVP's golden era of parliamentary politics, the leftist nationalist party has eventually decided to vote against the draconian emergency regulations. Since 2004, and even since long before that, the JVP parliamentarians did not vote against the emergency regulations. Until recent times, they just abstained voting lacking guts to vote against. more..

Mar 10 (LeN) The political storm that arose in the UNF following the deletion of Tissa Kathriarachi’ s name from the Moneragala District nomination list for the upcoming elections has been found a temporary solution – the UNP Executive Committee decided today (09) to expel Madduma Bandara from the UNP District President position for Moneragala District, and has appointed Nihal Chandrasiri as the acting President. more..

Mar 10 (TC) One’s academic trajectories and journeys are invariably subject to vagaries and contingencies. The events and researches leading to my interest in “communal violence” and “zealotry” in the 1990s, and thereafter to what I have called ‘sacrificial devotion” (embracing the topics of “terrorism,” suicide bombers and Tamil Tigers), were shaped by such contingencies. Since thuppahi.wordpress.com will present some short essays on both these topics in the course of this month, more..