Apr 13 (Bettor) Rumours have been rife about the ICC World Cup 2011 final between Sri Lanka and India being fixed. Personally having followed the World Cup quite closely I did not feel the need to pay heed to any such talk. After all India was without a doubt one of the strongest teams in the tournament and had all the credentials to win the World Cup. Therefore as I write this article I do not in any way mean to demean the credentials of the Indian cricket team, however more..

Apr 13 (SLN) Sri Lanka Navy assisted in the repatriation of eight Sri Lankan fishermen, who were released from the Indian custody, today (11). The fishermen and five (05) fishing boats were handed over to SL Navy officials by the Indian Coast Guard Ship, ICGSVigraha, at the Indo-Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the seas north of Kankasanthurei. They were brought to the KKS Harbour in the morning today by Sri Lanka Naval more..

Apr 13 (WB) The World Bank today approved $100 million in additional financing for The Sri Lanka Road Sector Assistance Project to support the Government of Sri Lanka to continue creating an efficient national road system and lower transportation costs to maximize opportunities and growth. The project, initially approved in 2005 has resurfaced and improved over 620km of national roads which has contributed to improvements in road conditions more..

Apr 13 (DM) More than 95 per cent of the people displaced in the North-East have been resettled in their places of origin, the government said yesterday. Resettlement Ministry Secretary B.M.U.D. Bassnayake said his ministry with the support of the Housing Ministry was repairing and reconstructing partially damaged houses in the districts of Kilinochchi, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Jaffna. He said of the 280,000 internally displaced people, 252,000 had returned home more..

Apr 13 (ICP) The UN's long delayed report into accountability for war crimes in Sri Lanka was handed to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday, Ban's acting deputy spokesman Farhan Haq announced on April 12, confirming Inner City Press' exclusive report on April 11 that Tuesday would be the day. But the report was not made public. Rather, Ban shared a copy with the government of Mahinda Rajapaksa “as a matter of courtesy.” more..

Apr 13 (Reuters) A panel of experts set up to advise U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon on possible war crimes at the end of Sri Lanka's war against Tamil Tiger rebels delivered its report to him on Tuesday, the United Nations said. The report by the panel, whose appointment was strongly criticized by the Colombo government, was not immediately made public. U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq said it was first being given to Sri Lanka and would be published fairly soon. more..

Apr 13 (Island) Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said that whenever a shortage of antibiotics, in the form of tablets and injections, occurred in State-run hospitals, doctors prescribed more powerful antibiotics to be purchased by the patient from the private sector. At the same time doctors complain that hospitals had placed orders for mild antibiotics when more ones were needed. more..

Apr 13 (Island) All Sinhalese must learn Tamil and all Tamil must learn Sinhala in order to establish real national unity in the country, said Minister Rajitha Senaratne. Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony for a new Fisheries Harbour Corporation Administration Office at Modera recently, he said that the two communities could come together and live in peace and harmony by by learning each other’s language. more..

Apr 13 (Island) The Marine Pollution Prevention Authority (MPPA) will collect marine samples –especially sea water – from Jaffna, Mannar and Trincomalee next week to check whether the nuclear radiation leak, following the explosion of the Japanese Fukushima nuclear plant, had any effects which cause higher radiation levels. The Authority’s Chairman R. S. Ariyaperuma said that they had already collected samples from more..

Apr 13 (VS) A Federal Court judge has granted Canada's immigration minister a stay of last month's decision that a former member of the Tamil Tigers should be released from custody. In a strongly worded decision released Tuesday to The Vancouver Sun, Federal Court Judge Sean Harrington called the migrant involved in the case "nothing but a bold-faced liar." "It has been established beyond doubt that if he is not still a Tamil Tiger, he certainly was. more..

Apr 13 (Island) The Government’s aim is to impart knowledge to Sri Lankan Handicraftsmen and introduce modern technology to their industries by bringing together Indo-Lanka Handicraftsmen, said Douglas Devananda, Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development. Speaking at the opening of the Indo-Lanka Handicraft Exhibition and Trade Fair at the Colombo Art Gallery last week, he said the main aim more..

Apr 13 (DM) As several trade unions are gearing up to launch a protest against the proposed private sector pension scheme, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has decided to hold discussions on the matter with all trade union representatives on April 25. Several trade unions including the Ceylon Mercantile Union (CMU), Ceylon Bank Employees Union, Free Trade Zone Workers Union, National Workers Congress and more..

Apr 13 (DM) Some 14,000 prison inmates will be provided the opportunity to meet their family members and partake in a treat of sweetmeats with them between 8.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. today and tomorrow to Mark the National New Year, Prison Reforms Ministry said yesterday. Ministry Secretary A. Dissanayaka said arrangements had also been made to distribute packets of sweetmeats among the inmates and more..

Apr 13 (Island) The Army is planning to gradually discontinue the hiring of civilian vehicles to cut down on expenditure. The government will use the Indian line-of-credit to acquire a fleet of vehicles for the army soon. Army Chief Lt. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya revealed the government plan during a visit to Security Forces headquarters in Jaffna last Sunday (10). more..

Apr 13 (LBO) The world's first 'carbon neutral' bra, made at an eco-friendly factory Sri Lanka that uses hydro electricity, is going on sale at Marks and Spencer (M&S), a UK based retailer, a media report said. The lingerie set has been made at a plant Sri Lanka that has cut energy use by a third, maximised sunlight and using low energy bulbs, Britain's Telegraph newspaper said. more..

Apr 13 (LBO) Sri Lanka's central bank had independence in 2010 and the country moved forward with more prudent fiscal and monetary policies, Treasury Secretary P B Jayasundera said. "More than in other years there was more discipline (hickmeemuck, vinayak) in fiscal and monetary policies," Jayasundera told a forum at Sri Lanka's central bank where its annual economic report was released speaking in Sinhalese language. more..

Apr 13 (PTI) Sri Lankan sports ministry’s decision to call back its cricketers from the ongoing IPL could lead to “a potentially explosive situation” as far as the board’s ties with the BCCI - world cricket’s financial powerhouse - is concerned. The ministry had asked the Sri Lankan cricketers participating in the hugely popular Twenty20 league to return home early to prepare for the national team’s tour of England more..

Apr 13 (AFP) UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is studying an expert report into thousands of deaths during Sri Lanka's 2009 military drive against Tamil rebels, as calls grow for an international probe. Ban has given himself just days to decide on recommendations made by a panel of experts which handed its report on alleged war crimes to the UN leader on Tuesday. The United Nations said the report will be published and, more..

Apr 14 (PTI) The security situation in the country continues to hit Pakistan cricket, with plans to launch a premier league and invite Sri Lanka to play in a series later this year being put on hold. Officials in the PCB have confirmed that other boards had in recent meetings in Sri Lanka made it clear that their players were reluctant to travel to the crisis—torn country for the Pakistan Premier League (PPL) Twenty20 competition because of security fears. more..

Apr 14 (E24/7) Mashreq along with partner banks Doha Bank, Habib Bank Limited (HBL) and United Bank Limited (UBL) anchored and successfully closed a syndicated term loan for Sri Lanka's largest bank, Bank of Ceylon (BoC). The $175 million facility has a tenor of one year. The initial facility that was sized at $100 million received significant over-subscription and was upsized to $175 million. The deal witnessed participation from 15 financial institutions from around the region, more..

Apr 14 (DN) The entire nation took on a festive atmosphere as the vast majority prepared for the dawn of the New Year tomorrow - the second national New Year celebrated in an environment of peace and tranquillity following an end to three decades terrorism. Frantic last minute buying was witnessed yesterday in the capital city and major towns as large crowds thronged the streets in a buoyant spirit with fears of bombs and explosions no more haunting their minds. more..

Apr 14 (AFP) Sri Lanka on Wednesday rejected as “flawed” and “biased” a UN-commissioned report into alleged war crimes committed during the final 2009 offensive by government troops against Tamil Tiger rebels. The External Affairs Ministry said it had received a copy of the report by a three-member expert panel who handed their findings to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Ban on Tuesday. “The government finds this report fundamentally flawed in many respects,” more..

Apr 14 (Dawn) Sri Lanka overcame a hapless Nepal side in the second match of the SAARC Baseball Cup here on Wednesday. The Lankans scored a 20-0 win to open their account in the points table of the round-robin league-based tournament at Lahore’s Punjab Stadium. Both teams failed to score in their first two innings but Sri Lankan batters made four scores in the third innings as Perera, Kasthurimugali, Hapuarachi and Karunarathne made one score each. more..

Apr 14 (LG) I read today’s news in the consciousness of next Saturday’s event to share our experiences and resources with our folks in Northern Sri Lanka. Most of the logistics of the event is being managed by the Sydney branch of the Sangarathai Young Men’s Hindu Association. To me these children whose life is part of ours are children of Peace. I read TULF President Mr. Anandasangaree’s letter to Major General Mahinda Hathurusinge, Commander Security Forces Headquarters Jaffna, more..

Apr 14 (LG) Last morning I read the article ‘Sri Lankan Muslims in America’ by Dr. A.R.M. Imtiyaz & Dr. S. Ratnajeevan H. Hoole, published in Sri Lanka Guardian. Last night I heard about the French Government’s ban of the Muslim veil – the ‘burga’. Here in Australia also this issue had been previously raised by members of our Federal Parliament. There have been protests in France against the ban – on the claim that it was the ‘sovereign right’ of the individual to wear any clothes s/he chose to. more..

Apr 14 (SO) Professor Vasanthi Arasaratnam assumed duties as the eighth Vice Chancellor of the University of Jaffna. She also becomes the first woman Vice Chancellor of the Jaffna University. VC Vasanthi Arasaratnam also served as the first woman Dean of the Medical Faculty of Jaffna. Excerpts of her interview: Q. You are the first woman Vice Chancellor of the University of Jaffna. What have you to say about your new designation? more..

Apr 14 (MoD) Sri Lanka Navy launched a boat service to facilitate the tourists to visit the Sand Banks which lay between Thalaimannar and Rameshwaram, on 10th April 2011. Commander North Central Naval area Rear Admiral Rohan Amarasinghe, Govt Agent Mannar and Senior Naval Officers in the area attended the launching ceremony. The boats start the journey from the Old pier of SLNS Thammanar every day at 0800 hrs and it will take nearly two hours to reach the destination, the 2nd sand bank. more..

Apr 14 (SO) No other annual event brings the country together like the Sinhala and Hindu New Year, which is celebrated every April. Although primarily celebrated by Sinhala Buddhists and Hindus, it has now become a national event that transcends all man-made boundaries. Indeed, those belonging to other communities and religions participate in Avurudu events with great enthusiasm. This year's Sinhala and Hindu New Year is even more significant because most of more..

Apr 14 (GV) Finally, yes finally, one big phase of the game came to a close with just a whimper. Now, its the next phase of the game. On 12 April, just before the South (wouldn’t know how the Hindu Tamils in the North would celebrate new year) gathers into their culturally colourful Sinhala New Year on 14th April, the UN Panel of Advisers on the Sri Lankan conflict (?) handed over their report to the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon. more..

Apr 14 (CL) EMINENT Tamil theologian and academic Father S.J. Emmanuel can count five bishops among those he has educated in his distinguished career - but he is much prouder of five special priests who attended his lectures in Kandy, Sri Lanka. President of the Global Tamil Forum, Fr Emmanuel once told the State Department in Washington that he was "father" to these priests. The five were among 10 priests killed in the final bloody battle between Government and more..

Apr 14 (NN) A train rammed into two elephants in Trincomalee early this morning killing both animals on the spot. The elephants, a mother and its baby, were crossing the railway tracks at the time of the accident. According to officials, the night mail train operating between Colombo and Trincomalee was involved in the accident. The baby elephant got entangled to the train engine and was dragged several feet away while the mother was thrown on impact. more..

Apr 14 (BBC) The govt did everything to cover up the murder of Lasantha Wickramatunge says the widow of the slain editor of Sunday Leader. "I am satisfied that the government did everything possible to cover up his murder and prevent even a rudimentary police inquiry from proceeding," Sonali Wickrematunge said. She insisted that she does not know who killed her husband. Breaking a two year silence, she questioned the motives of the Rajapaksa government. more..

Apr 14 (NN) Minister Mervyn Silva says he will shoot himself using his official pistol if it is proven without a shadow of a doubt that he was involved in an extortion racket at the Peliyagoda fish market. Speaking to reporters today the Minister said that there are both true and false reports circulating about the extortion racket and his name has now been dragged into it. The Minister recalled that the suspects who were involved in the racket have been arrested but added there are more arrests to be made. more..

Apr 14 (NN) Public Health Inspectors (PHI) conducted several raids on food outlets around the country over the last few days and issued notices to over 200 people for selling food which was not fit for human consumption. The Public Health Inspectors Association said that during the raids carried out between April 4 and 12, fines of over 10 lacks were also collected. Over 541 raids were conducted in 318 areas around the country during that period and legal action is to be filed on 277 outlets more..

Apr 14 (DM) We spoke to some of the Political parties to weigh in their sentiments this Sinhala and Tamil New Year which marks the second New Year after the war ended. UNP MP Gayantha Karunatilleka: The Govt is responsible to provide relief to the public. During the govt elections they said they will not increase gas and fuel prices, although the UNP stated that soon after the elections the government will increase the gas and fuel prices. more..

Apr 14 (VoA) As wars break out and end, and refugees flee across international borders, victims often find themselves living alongside their alleged tormentors in foreign and frequently Western nations. Those active and educated in the victim diaspora are looking to legal systems in their new countries to redress alleged war crimes. In the U.S. state of Maryland, a first-year law student of Tamil heritage accuses the brother of Sri Lanka's president and a former army more..

Apr 14 (NN) The bodies of two young girls who were washed away by strong currents at a river in Haputale were found today while one child still remains missing. According to the police, the three girls, one aged 14 and the other two 8, had gone out to collect firewood last afternoon. However as the three children had failed to return home the parents and area residents began a search operation in the area. Subsequently the bodies of a 14 year old girl and more..

Apr 14 (UCAN) Anglicans, Methodists and Catholics recently gathered to discuss what their role and responsibilities would be in implementing social reforms in Sri Lanka following the country’s bitter civil war. “We have to take risks in carrying out social reform and not work in air-conditioned rooms,” Jesuit Father Lasantha de Abrew told a forum of Christian clergy and laymen discussing “Roles and Responsibilities of Christians in Social Reform. more..