Mar 2 (Cimic) Strengthening old relations that prevailed years ago, students from the north and the south are now freely developing good contacts with each other by way of making educational and holiday trips, organizing shramadana and sports campaigns and offering donations to needy ones. A group of senior students, teachers and members of Old Boys’ Association (OBA) of the Royal College, Colombo visited Kulamangal Roman Catholic School more..

Mar 2 (SL) Colombo is livable. I’m not dead. Just not very much so. Colombo has been ranked among the worst 10 livable cities by the Economist which, while not entirely fair, is mostly on the mark. Colombo is not very livable for a few reasons (IMHO). Because nobody actually lives in Colombo, because the public transit is bad, and because neighbourhoods and public spaces have problems as well. When I say that no one lives in Colombo, I mean that very few people live or more..

Mar 2 (SL) A recent piece of breaking news from the New York Times couldn’t but provoke thoughts of what is happening around our Country of a Thousand Cabinet Members. The headline in the Times read: “New York Congressman Resigns After Internet Postings” and went on to a brief description of what had occurred, saying “Representative Chris Lee of New York, caught in the midst of a scandal involving a shirtless photo he reportedly sent to a woman on the Internet, more..

Mar 2 (BL) Ceylon Leather – a member of the reputed ERI Group of Companies – is out to set a Guinness world record by manufacturing the largest leather cricket ball in the world to coincide with the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, the biggest ever sporting event in Sri Lanka. This unique leather ball has been on display at Sri Lanka’s inaugural match at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium at Hambantota. more..

Mar 2 (SO) Controlling non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease among Sri Lankans is a challenging situation the health sector is facing today. "The Health Ministry, with the allocation of funds by the President in the 2011 budget, is now working on a four-year program to control these diseases", Deputy Health Minister Lalith Dissanayake said. He said that the Ministry of Health is doing its utmost to construct necessary buildings for major hospitals in more..

Mar 2 (SO) Thus access roads and public services get top priority. Here, unlike in other areas garbage visit on the dot. Any damaged public utility is replaced pronto and security around the area is at its best. But a night here without a mosquito net or some other sort of mosquito repellent close at hand is a day spent in hell. The ‘soft whisperings’ and ‘piercing kisses’ of ‘blood thirsty’ mosquitoes will give you nothing short of a ‘memorable’ night! more..

Mar 2 (NS) The well-blended colour schemes and the curvilinear lines add a strange beauty for his works. The variety of the styles in his works appeals any art lover who appreciates diversity. Abstract art, traditional art, religious drawings, portraits of scenic beauty… the list goes on to tell that he is not just an artist but a diversified multi-faceted artist who loves different styles of art. There is really no need of an introduction as more..

Mar 2 (Island) We as a nation seem prone to disasters of all sorts. Our history has been full of catastrophes including a tsunami, recorded in the Mahawamsa. We have faced numerous foreign invasions which cost us hundreds of thousands of lives, wealth and kingdoms for nearly two and a half millennia. During the colonial times, the country suffered irreparable damage in terms of both physical and human resources. The post-Independence era, too, has witnessed two more..

Mar 2 (DM) Sri Lankan cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara would have held back a few punches the other day when he was asked by a reporter how he felt to hear that his fans were put through a frustrating time in buying tickets for the World Cup. Saying he felt sorry for them was understandable although his fans would have cheered him more had he chosen to condemn the manner in which they were being treated in their quest for a place in history. more..

Mar 2 (LB) One popular narrative in the Tamil disapora discourse is that the remnant of Tamil Tigers would launch a sea borne invasion of northern Sri Lanka. The story goes on to say that the LTTE cadres who escaped the annihilation in the final battle and later fled to safe havens abroad are now re-grouping. Once the process is completed, the group would land in the northern coast to wage the next phase of the Eelam War. more..

Mar 2 (GDI) The govt has decided rehabilitate national highways with concrete surfacing through domestic contractors as it has proved to have a long durability. Rehabilitation of National Highways of ‘A’ and ‘B’ Grades has so far been carried out with bituminous materials which has lesser durability when compared with concrete roads. Under the concept of Gama Neguma program several rural roads have been rehabilitated during the last five years in all parts of the country. more..

Mar 2 (DN) A survey on the prevalence of juvenile victimization among young adults in Sri Lanka has revealed that the use of alcohol, cigarettes and drugs was significantly higher in children whose fathers used those substances compared to children whose fathers did not. The survey was conducted by a team of post graduate students of the Peradeniya University by distributing questionnaires among the undergraduates in the Sri Lankan universities. more..

Mar 2 (LB) A disturbing incident that once more underscores the importance of the people paying special attention to the expiry date of food products purchased, was reported from Polonnaruwa on Feb 16. This was when an 11-year-old girl died after she was admitted to hospital, in a critical condition, after drinking a date-expired soft drink. The soft drink in question is marketed by a firm situated at Biyagama. more..

Mar 2 (Island) Libya is one of our main Tea buyers. However as reported by us exclusively after the suctions last Tuesday, usual buyers were active in Colombo, although Libya was in turmoil. Attributable reasons for business as usual were purportedly that Libyan destinations were bracing for conflict situations, but more so post internecine disturbances, and expected return to peace. At height of the Egypt in turmoil Mumbasa did see restricted buying but more..

Mar 2 (NS) Sri Lanka’s rich diversity in flora and fauna is a known factor worldwide, and much cherished and admired as well. Of all wild species within the country, about 25% is endemic in general; although the rate of endemism is significantly higher in specific classes of wildlife. The legal instrument that works towards or aimed at protecting and conserving this rich diversity of species is the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance. This law was amended in more..

Mar 2 (CI) Sri Lanka fast bowler, Lasith Malinga, who became the first bowler in World Cup history to take two hat-tricks, has said that he learnt to bowl his deadly yorkers by watching Pakistan's legendary pair of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. Malinga ran through the hapless Kenya batting to take a career best 6 for 38 runs, and pick up the Man-of-the-Match award, as the opposition crumbled under his assault for a mere 142 runs. more..

Mar 2 (FT) Post-war Sri Lanka Tourism has managed to lure several more top global hotel brands to set up shop in the country, the Government revealed yesterday. With Shangri-La Hotel group now secure under its belt, Sri Lanka has managed to convince worldwide operator of the successful franchise Marriott International and Canadian-based Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts to begin operations in the country, Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said yesterday. more..

Mar 2 (DM) Sri Lanka Muslim Congress has decided to support the independent Group No. 01 contesting under double flag symbol at the Mannar Urban Council election, despite the fact that it had fielded a candidate under the UPFA’s symbol. The party has decided on this effect since the candidate it fielded Nilamudeen Nahusin is extending his support to the All Ceylon Makkal Congress, another constituent party of the UPFA led by Minister Rishard Badiudeen. more..

Mar 2 (DM) A billionaire businessman who had in his possession a large stock of ganja was taken into custody during a raid conducted by the Nawalapitiya police yesterday. The suspect had been carrying on the racket from his palatial house with the help of several others for a long time. He had been arrested earlier when he was apprehended when transporting a stock of ganja in his super luxury vehicle and remanded. He had been on remand for a few months until he was fined and released. more..

Mar 2 (BL) The carpeting of Sri Lanka’s busiest highway, Galle Road in Colombo which was expected to be completed by February has still not been completed. This and the Wellawatte stretch near the bridge which is dug open leaves a shameful sight with a large number of foreigners visiting Sri Lanka in view of the ongoing cricket world cup. This vicinity is a key shopping hub for tourists and this eyesore does not cut out a good picture for the country’s tourism industry. more..

Mar 2 (DN) World famous past cricketer and commentator Tony Greig has been appointed as Sri Lanka Tourism ambassador by Sri Lanka Tourism. This was officially announced at the Cinnamon Grand hotel last Monday. Greig will be acting as the tourism envoy for six months to promote Sri Lanka during the ongoing World Cup and the Indian Premier League (IPL), said Sri Lanka Tourism Chairman Dr Nalaka Godahewa. more..

Mar 2 (GV) The crisis may be over, but Sri Lankan cricket fans are still fervently debating who very nearly stole their most cherished cultural heritage: the island’s own version of the quaint English game of cricket. They are trying to discern sinister motives behind the short-lived ban on all fun and merry-making at ICC World Cup cricket matches currently being played in Sri Lanka. The most ardent fans have even launched a nationwide search to identify the originators of more..

Mar 2 (DN) The Jaffne Edition of the Thinkaran newspaper published by Lake House exclusively for Jaffna readers was launched at a ceremony held in Jaffna yesterday morning. This edition will clear the obstacle faced by people of the North from keeping abreast with the latest credible news denied to them for a long period due to terrorism. The new Jaffna edition fulfills a pledge given by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Thaipongal day to open new more..

Mar 2 (LBO) Sri Lanka's fledgling coast guard took delivery of a patrol craft built by the navy that will help combat poaching and human smuggling and better protect economic resources, officials said. The 14.5-metre fibre-glass boat was built by the navy largely for shallow water patrolling, making use of facilities that built a large fleet of small attack craft that helped defeat Tamil Tiger separatists. more..

Mar 2 (SL) Petroleum Minister Susil Premajayantha has said there is yet no plan to increase the local fuel prices in line with the global fuel prices. Premajayantha has told the media that he global fuel price hike that has been triggered due to civil unrest in Libya would not have an impact on local fuel prices locally for the time being. According to Premajayantha, the country has a month’s stock of fuel and has already placed orders for another half a month. more..

Mar 2 (DN) According to statistics of the Agriculture Department, the paddy production of 2010/11 during Maha season, would be sufficient up to mid October this year. The target for cultivation of paddy for Maha 2010/11 was 807,004 hectares. More than 777,260 hectares of paddy had been cultivated during the end of January and it was a 96 percent achievement from the target. Nearly 205,000 hectares of paddy land have been affected due to recent floods. more..

Mar 2 (CI) A potential dispute involving two leading cricketers, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and a state-owned channel appears to have been doused after the channel issued a clarification over remarks made by an anchor following Sri Lanka's 11-run loss to Pakistan on Saturday. A commentary on Sunday on Sri Lanka's state TV network, ITN, said a businessman had bet roughly $18,000 on a Pakistan victory and, according to an SLC release, implied more..

Mar 2 (DM) The annual sessions of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) concluded recently, with over 55,000 people witnessing architects' work and trade exhibition. The exhibition was unveiled, following the ceremonial inauguration of the annual sessions, titled Architect 2011 by Minister Basil Rajapaksa. Held for the 29th consecutive year, the exhibition is an integral part of the annual sessions of the SLIA, drawing large crowds every year. more..

Mar 2 (DN) The Moratuwa University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) recently, at the University premises with the aim to develop the entrepreneurial skills of University students. Under the MoU, various curricula development activities, training programs, internships and industry funded research projects would be carried out. The University in collaboration with COYLE would encourage students to more..

Mar 2 (CT) The war in Sri Lanka is over but peace has yet to break out among the troubled nation's overseas population. Melbourne campaigner Jeremy Liyanage believes a photographic exhibition on show in Canberra this week could begin to heal the divide between the island's two main ethnic groups living in Australia. Missing Peace is an exhibition of powerful photographs taken last year during a tour of Sri Lanka's north, a region shattered by the final confrontation more..

Mar 2 (CI) To begin with some brutal honesty, Lasith Malinga's hat-trick and bowling generally were wasted on this encounter. It was watched by a surprisingly large number of people gamely creating an atmosphere and it was, as feats of statistics go, worthy of celebration. But Kenya were such miserably unequal opponents that it was too underwhelming. The press conference afterwards confirmed this. About as much time was spent on what will most likely be more..

Mar 2 (LT) The protest movement that commenced today would not be the last but is the beginning of the struggle that would end the government and the capitalist system that suppresses the masses says the Leader of the JVP Somawansa Amarasinghe. He said this speaking at the agitation held at the end of the ‘protest walk’ that marched from Campbell Park to Lipton Circle today (1st). The JVP organized the ‘Protest March’ to demand the government to bring down more..

Mar 2 (DM) The Court of Appeal yesterday granted leave to proceed to almost the entire Consultant staff of Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital (SJGH) who filed a petition against the board of management of the hospital for the breach of their legitimate expectations regarding their continuation of employment till the age of 65. The Consultant Doctors claim that the guarantee which was given to them earlier by the Hospital authorities that they could serve at the SJGH till the age of 65 more..

Mar 2 (DM) Stunned villagers of the Uduthuththiripitiya area who had witnessed the crash of the two Kfirs said they saw a ball of fire hurling towards the ground immediately after the sound similar to a bomb explosion. Somadasa Ranasinghe and his wife had been outside in the garden when one of the crashed aircraft landed right in front of their house and burst into flames. “Since this morning several aircraft were circling around this area and there was quite a lot of noise. more..

Mar 2 (NN) Underworld gangster Sarath Chandana Silva alias Chooti Putha was arrested in Kalutara today and has been placed in remand, the Mount Lavinia police said. Chooti Putha managed to escape while being taken to the Mount Lavinia courts late January despite being shot at by prison guards. The Mount Lavinia police said that he was arrested in Kalutara today with a knife in his hand and was later produced in Court and remanded. more..

Mar 2 (GDI) The University of Colombo commenced the study course - MSc Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Mathematics at the College House, yesterday. The objective of the Master of Financial Mathematics is to enhance the quantitative finance knowledge of the graduates to an international level in the sense of theory and practice. The programme is intended to train students with financial skills required to more..

Mar 2 (Island) The Sri Lanka Air Force yesterday morning lost two of its precious Israeli-built Kfir fighter jets and a pilot in a mid-air collision over Weeragula, Gampaha. The crash occurred during a rehearsal for an aerobatics display at the Ratmalana airbase today (2) to mark the force’s 60th anniversary. Although first reports said both pilots had ejected safely, SLAF headquarters later reported that Flight Lieutenant Monath Perera had died of more..

Mar 2 (LT) The General Secretary of the JVP Tilvin Silva has written to the Commissioner of Elections drawing his attention to the issues of the government employees who have presented nominations for the forthcoming local government elections to the postponed councils. In his letter Mr. Silva points out that there are several state employees who have presented nominations for elections and they have to take leave without pay during the election period. more..