Nov 12 (Island) Among the armaments recovered by the Army during the war and ongoing clearing operations in the Northern and Eastern Provinces are 15 artillery pieces and 805 mortars of different types. The artillery pieces comprised six 152 mm and nine 130 mm artillery all of Chinese origin. The recovered mortars included six 122 mm, fifty seven 120 mm, two 85 mm, thirty eight 82 mm, one hundred and forty seven 81 mm, four hundred eighty seven 60 mm and more..

Nov 12 (Island) Sunday Leader Editor Carmela Frederica Sandra Jansz on Thursday told the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar that Anoma Fonseka, the wife of General Sarath Fonseka, indicted by the Attorney General in the ‘White Flag’ case had given her an interview on Oct. 8, 2010, the focus of which was on the imprisonment of Fonseka at the Welikade Prison. Frederica Jansz was re-examined by Deputy Solicitor General Wasantha Navaratne Bandara at more..

Nov 12 (Island) The government yesterday accused the JVP of disrupting university education through its student wing, while refusing to accept that it had led to a crisis situation. Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa, addressing the weekly Cabinet press briefing in Colombo, said that it was the JVP that was behind the recent disturbances in the universities and had gone back to its old habits. more..

Nov 12 (Island) By establishing military camps everywhere, the President is attempting to have a military type Presidential rule, Matara District UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera said. "Within the next few days the Government will spend millions of rupees in public funds to celebrate the assumption of office for the second term of the President. All this is being done while the people are suffering due to the high cost of living. more..

Nov 12 (DM) The CID had begun an investigation regarding an alleged misappropriation that took place at the Sri Lanka Telecom in purchasing IPTV communication technology, incurring a loss of Rs.324.4 million. Filing a facts report before Colombo Fort Magistrate, the CID told that the investigations conducted so far had revealed that a certain group of people had systematically carried out the fraud incurring a huge loss to the Sri Lanka Telecom. more..

Nov 12 (DM) The government has lost a whopping Rs. 238 million during the past six years, due to the import of substandard drugs and the loss for this year is said to be Rs. 54 million. according to information placed before Parliament recently. Deputy Health Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said the Ministry disposed of 51 million tonnes of substandard drugs this year, 48 million tonnes worth Rs. 94 million in 2009, 31 tonnes worth Rs. 63 million in 2008, more..

Nov 12 (SLN) In a swift response to the flash floods that occurred due to heavy rains experienced over night, Sri Lanka Navy has deployed floods relief teams to assist the General Public affected in several low-lying areas. Since this morning 09 floods relief teams with 10 RFDs remain deployed in Battaramulla, Piliyandala, Boralasgamuwa, Mirihana, Nugegoda, Rajagiriya and Grand Pass areas. Naval troops are assisting the evacuation of people trapped in buildings and homes and ferrying them to safe places. more..

Nov 12 (Island) "Although billions of rupees were given as foreign aid for tsunami rehabilitation work, the government has not used those funds correctly. Only Rs. 15,000 was given to a family as compensation for a dead person. There are many tsunami victims without houses even today. Houses were constructed by the henchmen of Ministers and MPs. The houses built were substandard. Due to inferior material used and bad workmanship in such constructions, more..

Nov 12 (DN) The LLRC has decided to accept further written representations from individuals and organization till December 31, 2010. The Commission encourages individuals and organizations to send all written representations to the LLRC office on or before this date. This will provide adequate time for the Commission to analyze and synthesize contents, and identify key issues that need further study and deliberations, before finalizing the Report. more..

Nov 13 (AD) The Colombo Magistrates’ Court today rejected the bail appeal of IUSF Convenor Udul Premaratna who had been arrested and remanded for forcibly entering the Ministry of Higher Education premises and damaging government property. The attorney speaking on behalf of Udul Premaratna expressed to court that he (Udul) was scheduled to attend the meeting of the World Youth University Organization held in Johannesburg, South Africa on November 28th. more..

Nov 13 (BBC) Health authorities in northern Sri Lanka have appealed for more doctors to work in the Jaffna peninsula. There is an acute shortage of medics in the area, which was at the heart of fighting leading to the defeat of Tamil Tiger rebels in May last year. The health ministry says that it has agreed to transfer doctors who are presently serving in hospitals in the south. It says that it hopes the new doctors will be in place by 29 November. more..

Nov 13 (UCAN) A controversial gaming bill was passed in Sri Lanka amidst opposition from religious leaders and civic activists. “Gaming is against all religious principles,” said Cardinal-designate Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo. The parliament on Nov. 10 passed the Gaming Special Provisions Bill, which would legalize gambling in designated areas, with a majority of 81 votes. Government ministers say the bill was approved to improve the country’s tourism industry. more..

Nov 13 (PTI) India will provide assistance to Sri Lanka in training judges under a Memorandum of Understanding that both countries are expected to sign. The MoU will enable Colombo to send judges to Bangalore and Bhopal to receive training, Sri Lankan Justice Ministry said after a meeting between Justice Minister Athauda Senviratne and Indian High Commissioner Ashok A Kantha yesterday. Sri Lanka and India share a legal system based on the Roman Dutch law more..

Nov 13 (PTI) A special tribunal headed by a Delhi High Court judge on Friday upheld the Centre’s decision to extend the ban on terrorist outfit LTTE for two more years, stating that the organisation remains a threat to the security of the country. “Indian soil is being used for unlawful activities propelled by the remnant cadres of the LTTE. There is sufficient material to declare the LTTE as unlawful association as contemplated under the Prevention of Unlawful Activities Act. more..

Nov 13 (IANS) In an obvious bid to regain legal status in India, Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers have told Home Minister P. Chidambaram that it is not trying to regroup and is also not engaged in any illegal activity in this country. In an open letter to the minister, the vanquished LTTE has also described as "totally untrue" claims by Indian officials that the Tigers had links with Indian Maoists. more..

Nov 13 (LeN) UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera said, the President Mahinda Rajapakse who obtained a mandate to rule after promising that his country will be made to steer clear of gambling and liquor, is now swearing in as the President for the second term after completing five years,while creating a gambling kingdom in Sri Lanka. The President passed this draft bill on the soodhuwa in Parliament with the stubbornness of a mule without more..

Nov 13 (GDI) Casinos in this country were established by the previous UNP Governments, and the present government has only brought regulations to regulate and control these Casinos. It is hilarious to find the UNP attempting to create a fear psychosis about Casinos through malicious politically motivated propaganda. Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said that the UNP government opened up Casinos even in proximity to schools and religious places and more..

Nov 13 (DPA) Sri Lanka has denied visas to at least three staff members of Al-Jazeera television, after the station broadcast images of bodies and execution-style killings, said to have occurred during the final weeks the civil war against Tamil rebels last year. An External Affairs Ministry spokesman said that a decision had been taken not to issue the visas for the crew who wanted cover the swearing-in of President Mahinda Rajapaksa for a second term more..

Nov 13 (TA) Tamil refugees Rani and her husband Kumar are "a little bit envious" Canberra has made it easier on families and children seeking asylum in Australia. The couple, who fled their homeland and travelled on a leaky wooden boat last year from Malaysia with their six-year-old son Jeevan, spent more than 11 months in detention on Christmas Island before being granted permanent residency in September. more..

Nov 13 (NF) A woman, alleged to have acted in porn web sites, has been arrested by the Police Children and Women's Bureau (PCWB). A spokesperson for the PCWB said that the woman was released after obtaining a statement. PCWB noted that the woman was arrested on information received after images of such actors were published in the media. The spokesman added that the PCWB already had information on another three such 'performers' and it was on their trail. more..

Nov 13 (BBC) Sri Lanka has launched a new campaign to target Western tourists, UK in particular, at a recent travel fair in London. With a new logo titled “Refreshingly Sri Lanka,” the Sri Lanka Tourism launched the campaign at London’s World Travel Market earlier this week. “Sri Lanka was named Best Value Destination 2010 by the Post Office Travel Money, Holiday Costs Barometer research and is set to be the top emerging luxury destination in 2011 according to the New York Times,” more..

Nov 13 (LG) Samarsinghege Sugath Pushpakumara is a 34 year's old married driver. He is a father of two children. He describes the way how he was illegally arrested and tortured by the Beruwala police. He is the driver of a Toyota van bearing number 56-5246, which is used for private hire. On 01.11.2010 around 11.00 in the morning the SI Udayanga attached to the crime Brach of Beruwala police came and asked whether he could hire the van to go to Ratnapura. more..

Nov 13 (NF) It has been decided to temporarily suspend landing sea planes on the Negambo lagoon. This decision was arrived at during a meeting attended by the Deputy Minister of Ports and Aviation Dayashritha Tissera and a group of fishermen from the Negombo area. The meeting was held last evening at the Negombo municipal council hall, where fishermen pointed out that if sea plane operations took place on the Lagoon, environment destruction could take place. more..

Nov 13 (LG) Particularly since 1983 Indian media organizations had at least five correspondents posted to Colombo permanently. Following press briefings their reports hardly ever reflected the very serious and intrusive questions they asked. I once asked a correspondent for Hindustani Times why he never published anything which transpired at the cabinet press briefings. His reply was that he kept the information for future reference. more..

Nov 13 (LG) Dear Mr. Jayadevan; I refer to your report published yesterday in the Sri Lankan Guardian, on statements made by Mrs Imelda Sukumar. I focus particularly on the following passages relating to Mrs Sukumar are reported by you: 1. ‘The Government Agent, Imelda Sukumar who was the Mullaitivu GA during the war, …. vehemently denied claims that those who crossed over from LTTE controlled areas to Government controlled areas carrying more..

Nov 13 (DM) Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, who was also the Minister of Buddha Sasana, commented yesterday that he was prepared to accept children of any caste or creed, who could not be looked after by their parents, and promised to gift them to the Buddha Sasana Ministry. Attending a religious ceremony held in Matara, to admit one hundred youngsters into Priesthood commemorating the 2600th anniversary of Lord Buddha’s attaining Buddhahood and more..

Nov 13 (DM) The Army media had announced recently that the security forces in Jaffna have started a novel programme to educate the tourists from the southern parts of the country on the northern Tamil cultural ethos and values. It is the Psychological Operations Unit under the Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna (SFHQ-J) along with the Civil Affairs and Public Relations office in Jaffna involved in this scheme. Tamils in the Northern Province might have been pleased for more..

Nov 13 (TN) A leading journalist and the news editor of Thinamurasu Tamil daily published in Jaffna, M. Vamadevan accused the Sri Lankan governments in power during the last 20 years of deceiving the uprooted people from Valikaamam North Sri Lanka Army (SLA) High Security Zones (HSZs) saying that resettlement is not possible as they are infested with land mines, witnessing before the Lessons Learnt & Reconciliation Committee (LLRC) Thursday in Jaffna. more..

Nov 13 (TN) Representatives of Maathakal Fishermen Society complained Friday to the LLRC against the closure of the fishing jetties in Valikaamam North High Security Zone (HSZ) of Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and the continuing restrictions to fish using the only jetty in the area, in A’laveddi Mahajana Hall Friday. Witnessing before LLRC, the representative from Maathakal pointed to the LLRC that Sri Lanka government that had urgently executed the verdict of more..

Nov 13 (LBO) Sri Lankan liquid petroleum gas supplier Laugfs Gas, whose share issue to raise 2.5 billion rupees was oversubscribed, plans to acquire a vessel and build an unloading terminal in a new port. Laugfs managing director Thilak de Silva said the firm wants to be able to import and store bigger quantities to cater to increasing demand with the end of the island's 30-year ethnic war last year. An LPG carrier owned by the firm, called 'LAUGFS Wega' was sold and more..

Nov 13 (GV) Unhappy university students are marching in the Island of Brinka, and I met my good old friend Sivapuranam Thevaram at a pub in the ancient university city of Cowford to discuss this topic. Wannabe detectives on this forum please don’t rush to Google maps to find out where these places are. This is a story, so Cowford doesn’t exist. Brinka is not an island in the conventional sense. It is actually two, consisting of Briland to the north and Nkaland to the south. more..

Nov 13 (ST) We met at last after 50 years - 18 of us from our original batch of 83 of ‘53. Some had left for the great beyond, some were too ill to come, some unwilling. I remember when we first met in 1953. We were the flower of Sri Lankan youth after a free education, gathered at the Colombo University, all sleek and fresh, mostly clad in white, eagerly waiting to enter the hallowed seat of learning to learn the art of healing. more..

Nov 13 (GDI) The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is being energized to slash costs for 2011 by Rs. 15 billion with strong reduction in power generation, maintenance, distribution and loan payments, to minimize drain on public finance. The CEB has been allocated Rs. 159 billion for 2011. Out of these costs the highest of Rs. 107 billion is for electricity generation with Rs. 16,754 million for distribution, Rs. 7,700 million for generator maintenance and Rs. 3,997 for interest payments. more..

Nov 13 (LP) It is a normal thing for innocent common people to suffer in any kind of natural disaster mostly. But the Heavy rain fall lashed in Colombo and suburbs on Wednesday hampered all activities when even Members of Parliament who form rules and regulations for people were subjected to nature. Meanwhile Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara’s vehicle had been caught in the flash floods on Wednesday while he was traveling along Colombo Kynsey Road with his wife Yehali. more..

Nov 13 (DN) The Japanese Government has extended grant aid for a de-mining project in the North to meet the emergency needs of the area and to promote peace and development under its Grant Assistant for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). This de-mining project will be implemented by Delvon Assistance for Social Harmony Sri Lanka (DASH), a local de-mining organization. US $373,200 is allocated to de-mine and to facilitate a safety environment for more..

Nov 13 (ST) The search for ‘Walawe Raja’ has begun. When the iconic tusker who frequents the UdaWalawe National Park (UWNP) and is usually sighted from around June to September every year did not appear this year, wildlife lovers were alarmed, wondering what had befallen him. Srilal and Dimitri Miththapala, father and son, both avid wildlife enthusiasts have now begin the search for the elephant. Srilal wrote about Raja’s non- appearance in the Sunday Times of September 12 and again on October 10. more..

Nov 13 (LeN) Matara District UNP M P Mangala Samaraweera addressing the media in Colombo said, the Hambantota Port is the biggest white elephant in Sri Lanka. Mangala said, the truth of his statement will become known on the 18th. Although the Govt. is making a big din that the first commercial vessel will arrive on the 18th, it is learnt that the jetliner vessel belonging to the Navy which can be hired for weddings after payment is being arranged to more..

Nov 13 (UN) United Nations agencies have begun a joint assessment mission with the Government of Sri Lanka after record rains caused flash floods in parts of the capital, Colombo, and other areas. The floods, which have affected several districts, have been caused by what is reportedly the heaviest rainfall in Colombo in 18 years, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported. more..

Nov 13 (Island) Ancient Sri Lankans constructed huge reservoirs and built settlements around them. A great hydraulic civilisation flourished in this country. And the ruins of their engineering marvels continue to amaze the world even today. Millennia on, however, their descendants build settlements that turn into reservoirs during monsoons! Colombo and its suburbs is a case in point. Parliament was inundated on Thursday. more..

Nov 13 (DM) Mother Nature graciously gives her wealth and resources to all – the rich and the poor – the bad and the good – without expecting anything in return. Yet when this gracious self-giving is taken for granted and when rich or wicked racketeers use subtle and deceptive methods to plunder the resources of Mother Nature, the consequences are calamitous as we saw in Thursday’s floods and in the catastrophe of the 2004 tsunami. more..

Nov 13 (GDI) The first session of the Youth Parliament will be inaugurated under the patronage of President Rajapaksa on the 12th of December. It will be held at the Maharagama National Youth Centre. The aim of the Youth Parliament is to train the younger generation to take over future political leadership. Acceptance of nominations ended at 12.00 noon 10th of November. 325 representatives are elected to the youth Parliament through more..

Nov 13 (Island) Robust law enforcement continued to help in minimizing the presence of counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes in the country, as their sustained vigilance resulted in the seizure of 53 million counterfeit and smuggled cigarettes as of September 2010, with a value of Rs.779 million. Also a record 1,400 raids were conducted during the first nine months of 2010 compared to 1,190 over the same period last year, thus helping in protecting the revenue base of the government, more..

Nov 13 (Island) The General Secretary of the UNP, Tissa Attanayake yesterday accused the government of trying to scuttle the party’s ‘Grama Charika’ programme. Attanayake said "The ‘Grama Charika’ programme has been conducted very successfully and the government has launched a conspiracy to sabotage it by using the police and other state machinery." The propaganda material such as hoardings, banners and decorations used for last week’s more..

Nov 13 (LeN) Why Govt. passed methodically the special gambling (soodhu) bill in Parliament and made soodhu a victor over the nation the vanquished has now been exposed. No matter what yarns the Govt.’s soodhu lovers may spin to defend their obnoxious actions which are placing the younger generation specially and the nation as a whole generally in dire jeopardy from the standpoint of Buddhist culture and society, more..

Nov 13 (ST) The workers of the Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in Katunayaka have begun collecting signatures on a petition seeking justice for murdered colleague Chamila Kumari Dissanayaka who was allegedly raped by a doctor and then thrown off the sixth floor of the Negambo Hospital three years ago. The petitioners are demanding the case be transferred to the Colombo High Court and the culprit be punished swiftly. The case began in the Negombo Magistrate Court in September 2009 more..

Nov 13 (DN) President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed officials to take stern action against those involved in animal torture. The President gave these instructions when representatives of an anti animal torture organization met him recently. President Mahinda Rajapaksa drew attention to the illegal transportation of cattle. The President instructed the Livestock Development Ministry to take action to look after cattle which are seized while being illegally transported. more..

Nov 13 (NF) A surgery is currently being performed at the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital to remove several metal objects embedded into a woman, who had allegedly undergone torture in Kuwait. According to a hospital spokesperson X-ray reports have revealed that metal wires, measuring as long as 2-3 inches, have also been embedded into the woman's hands and legs. Gokaralla police, conducting investigations, are also focusing on whether more..

Nov 13 (DN) The study report on the renovation of the historical Yoda canal built by King Dhatusena in 1003 B C was presented to President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The national program to renovate this 54 mile canal carrying water to the Kala Wewa in the heart of Anuradhapura city will be inaugurated by Yoda Ela Renovation Committee Chairman and Deputy Minister S M Chandrasena on November 16 at Siyambalawewa in Yodawewa on the directive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. more..

Nov 13 (DM) The Chief Ministers Forum is unhappy over a controversial cabinet decision to reduce the powers of the provincial councils requiring them to consult line ministries before passing laws or issuing circulars. The forum will discuss the matter at its next sessions to be held in January next year. The Cabinet paper which was adopted recently requires all provincial councils to get the approval of the Central Government line ministries before passing laws and issuing circulars. more..