Nov 1 (DN) SRM Lanka and SRM Global signed a MoU to open avenues for Sri Lankan students to join SRM University, India’s No. 1 among private universities ranked by Education Times. “This MoU will be highly beneficial for the Sri Lankan students seeking graduate and post-graduate qualifications as they will get opportunities for a wider spectrum of streams. As a result Sri Lankan students will be able to choose specific lines of education to develop their professionalism more..

Nov 1 (Island) The Department of Railways is planning to launch an electric metro train service in the city of Colombo and its suburbs, an official from the department said. "A feasibility study is currently underway to introduce the new train service," Planning Director of the Department of Railways, Wijaya Samarasinghe said. The study was being carried out by a private foreign entity and the trains would be introduced under a foreign aid scheme. more..

Nov 1 (CI) We haven't played to our potential. Obviously going one-down in the series is a big disappointment, but I think we have an opportunity to get back into it, so we cannot be down for long. We have to try to correct our mistakes and turn things around. On the first day in Dubai we felt our decision to bat was a 50-50 pick, because there was a bit of grass and maybe a touch of moisture. We thought it was a challenge we needed to take - batting first to make sure we got runs on the board, more..

Nov 1 (DN) The media has the capability to prop up corrupt and dishonourable people as heroes or character assassinate good and clean individuals. Therefore it is important on the part of the media to act with responsibility and according to media ethics, Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said. "Both politicians and journalists should have a correct vision. Bad vision of politicians and journalists have caused so many problems in society. more..

Nov 1 (DM) Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, yesterday, countered the CPC chairman's charge that the CPC had had to increase fuel prices recently owing to its having to supplied fuel to the CEB at subsidised rates. He said that the CEB had passed down the fuel price concessions given by the CPC to the industrial and public sectors by supplying electricity at lower rates. more..

Nov 1 (DM) Not a single person has been penalized for non-declaration of assets and liabilities though there are provisions in the law to take action against such people, Provincial Minister Udaya Gammanpila said. He made these comments during a panel discussion on ‘Assets, Liabilities and Politics’ organized by Transparency International (TI) yesterday. He said it was impossible to come across any one who had paid the stipulated fine of Rs 1000 for more..

Nov 1 (Island) President Mahinda Rajapaksa, accompanied by several ministers, visited parliamentarian Duminda Silva at the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital last night, an authoritative source said. Silva, who was critically wounded in a shooting incident at Mulleriyawa on October 08, the last local government election day, is now reportedly making steady progress. He was taking some solid food and even taking short walks. more..

Nov 1 (DM) Nine influential members of the 23-member JVP Central Committee have teamed up with the dissidents following the ideological conflict within the party, sources said yesterday. The members who defected included parliamentarian Ajith Kumara and Chameera Koswatte, Pubudu Jayagoda, G. Kularatne, S.K. Subasinghe, Dimuthu Attigale, Dimuthu Bandara Abeykoon, Duminda Nagamuwa and Waruna Deeptha Rajapakse. more..

Nov 1 (OT) Sri Lankan School Muscat students Mohammed Danish and Morris Julian Anthony were presented the highest academic achiever and the most outstanding student of the year awards, respectively, at the Senior Awards Day 2011 function at the school on October 20. Danish won prizes in mathematics, pure mathematics, physics and chemistry at the GCE A/L. In all, 161 students got prizes, awards and commendation certificates for outstanding performance in academics and more..

Nov 1 (DM) On October 24 the world remembered the beginning of the United Nations Organization in 1945. Students of history know that the United Nations was the successor to the League of Nations. Both these organizations were begun to ensure that humanity or nations did not indulge in destroying each other. The government has in recent months been involved in a controversy or battle of words with the UN because of the report submitted by three experts who were appointed by more..

Nov 1 (LT) The statement that the ‘examinations system in the country thwarts the future of country’s children’ made by the Commissioner of Examinations at a ceremony held at Girls’ High School in Kandy has stirred the educational sector. Lanka Teacher Services Union (LTSU) issuing a statement expresses its dismay at the statement of the Commissioner of Examinations. The statement issued with the signature of the General Secretary of LTSU more..

Nov 1 (GDI) Lies Agreed Upon screening in US,Sri Lankan Caucus, Congressman Chris Van Hollen and Congressman Robert Aderholt, Ambassador Jaliya Wickramasuriya. "Lies Agreed Upon" will be screened at the U.S.Capital, tomorrow, November 2, hosted by the Co-Chairs of the Sri Lankan Caucus, Congressman Chris Van Hollen and Congressman Robert Aderholt. Following the screening, a panel discussion to discuss redevelopment and reconciliation efforts in Sri Lanka will be held. more..

Nov 1 (GDI) Minister of National Heritage, Dr. Jagath Balasuriya applauded the noble mandate of the UNESCO which aimed to build peace in minds and commended the manifold efforts being made by the organization to forge international intellectual moral solidarity through its various programmes in Education, Sciences, Culture and Communication. Delivering the National Statement of Sri Lanka at the General Policy Debate of the 36 th session of the General Conference of UNESCO, more..

Nov 1 (GDI) The 40th anniversary of the National Gems and Jewellery Authority will be held this morning at Ratnapura Provincial Council Auditorium. A Gem and Jewellery Exhibition will be held today and tomorrow in connection with the 40th Anniversary. Two rare gems belonging to the authority will be on display at this Exhibition, which will be inaugurated by the Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Minister W.D.J.Seneviratne. more..

Nov 1 (DM) The Elections Department yesterday said that it would take measures to publicize the names of the candidates of various political parties and independent groups who contested the October 8 local govt elections and failed to declare their assets. Siri Medawewa, the Consultant to the Commissioner of Elections, said that the deadline given for the declaration of assets by the candidates who contested the last local govt elections ended yesterday. more..

Nov 1 (LBO) Shares closed lower Tuesday with a large transaction in Hayleys boosting turnover, brokers said. The main All Share Price Index fell 0.59 percent to 6,281.85, while the more liquid Milanka index dropped 0.48 percent to close at 5,604.15. Turnover was 1.26 billion rupees. Hayleys accounted for the day's highest turnover, closing at 371 rupees, up three, with 2.2 million shares traded, generating 836.7 million rupees in turnover. more..

Nov 1 (DM) The global community is today experiencing acts of aggression unprecedented in the known history as a few powerful nations have shown their power to weaker nations by violating all accepted norms of democracy, human rights and fair play, Minister Wimal Weerawansa said. Addressing a ceremony held at the SLFI to felicitate Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, he went on to say that the entire global community has seen more..

Nov 1 (CT) “Story of Meena Krishnamoorthy is crucial to war crimes submission. She is one of just three Australians who were in the conflict until the end”, said Australia’s “7.30 Report”, of ABC. The program aired on Oct 18th. Ministry of Defence response to her allegations saying “Meena was an LTTE cadre who is portrayed in the documentary as a civilian Australian national who had come to Sri Lanka during the war to learn Tamil which happens to be her mother tongue.” more..

Nov 1 (AFP) Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq, riding on a year's success, vowed to remain positive in his bids to win the series against Sri Lanka as the teams prepare for the third Test starting here on Thursday. Misbah hopes his team come down hard on Sri Lanka, as they did in the drawn first Test at Abu Dhabi and then during their crushing nine-wicket win in the second Test in Dubai last week. "We will go for another win at Sharjah and I have told the players to more..

Nov 1 (CT) A leaked US diplomatic cable records the Supreme Court decision on General Fonseka’s Fundamental Rights petition re his unlawful detention. The cable written on February 24, 2010 by the Deputy Chief of Mission Valerie Fowler. The US Ambassador to Colombo Patricia A. Butenis wrote “Fonseka’s case drew great attention. The courtroom was packed, and his wife was met by swarms of media upon her exit from the courthouse. more..

Nov 1 (DPA) The US govt Tuesday expressed concern over the blocking of anti-govt websites in Sri Lanka. The US Embassy in Colombo called on Sri Lankan authorities and the managements of Sri Lankan telecommunications firms to stop activities aimed at blocking free access in Sri Lanka to all legitimate media websites. The statement came after the anti-govt Lanka-e-News website was blocked. 'While the embassy does not endorse the views of any particular media outlet, more..

Nov 1 (LBO) Sri Lanka is aiming to reach 70 in an ease of doing business ranking compiled by the World Bank next year from 89 in 2012, and 30 in 2014 by cutting red tape and transforming the way the state interact with businesses, officials said. "If we do not change, others will overtake us," minister Basil Rajapaksa said. "Even to stay in one place we have to make changes." This year Sri Lanka jumped nine places overtaking competitors like China and Vietnam. more..

Nov 1 (DM) In a bizarre incident in Wadduwa, a hand grenade explosion left a youth killed and nine others injured following an argument between two men on a motorbike and a group of people who were stranded as the bus they were returning from Matara after attending a funeral broke down. The bus carrying a group of about 25 passengers who were on their way back to Kahatuduwa in Piliyandala after attending a funeral in Matara broke down when more..

Nov 1 (LBO) Hotel Developers (Lanka), owners of Hilton Colombo Hotel, has paid about 33 percent of gross operating profit as management fees and other charges to the international hotel chain which runs the property. The total amount paid to Hilton Worldwide, formerly Hilton International USA, was 1,371 million rupees from 2001 to 2010, its latest annual report for the year ended March 31, 2010, has revealed. Hotel Developers chairman T Nadesan said the company is more..

Nov 1 (LBR) Sri Lanka must take advantage of its proximity to populous nations in its bid to become an airline hub and plan to lure 2.5 million tourists to the island, and industry official said. “They (India, China, and Indonesia) will replace some of the tourism generating markets in the world and we are sitting almost in the middle of these three countries,” said G T Jeyaseelan, chief marketing officer of Sri Lankan Airlines, speaking at the more..

Nov 1 (Reuters) Sri Lanka will make public its report into the end of the civil war with the Tamil Tigers, the foreign minister said on Tuesday, seeking to allay concerns in the West, which has in the past pushed for an international probe into war crimes allegations. Seven diplomats, from Western nations, India and others, have told Reuters that a credible report by the LLRC would, in conjunction with political concessions to minority Tamils, obviate the more..

Nov 1 (DM) The Supreme Court yesterday fixed to be resumed on November 22 the rights petition of Dr Sujatha Senaratne for the refusal to accept her application for the post of Director of Sri Lanka National Hospital. The Bench comprising Chief Justice Shirani A.bandaranayake, Justices P.a.ratnayake and Suresh Chandra extended to Nov 23 the undertaking given by the Deputy Solicitor General on Oct 19 that no interview would be held until this matter is considered for more..

Nov 1 (National) A cleaner stole four laptops from his workplace in the Royal Court's engineering office and attempted to steal 18 more, a court heard this morning. The Dubai Criminal Court of First Instance was told that AD, 20, from Sri Lanka, took the computers sometime before July 21 and later tried to take more, but was caught hiding them in the false ceiling. The Emirati security head at the office, MM, 38, said he was informed that 22 HP and Toshiba laptops went missing more..

Nov 1 (DM) The three-member committee appointed by the Transport Ministry to investigate the Alawwa train accident today said the collision had taken place as train signals and speed limits were not respected by the train driver and that there were no defects in the train engine or the brake system. Committee member and Arthur C. Clarke Institute CEO Sanath Panawennage said when the approach signal turns amber the train is expected to slow down but more..

Nov 1 (DM) An office for the Leader of Opposition in the CMC was opened yesterday, despite objections raised by the Mayor-elect, A.J. M. Muzammil. Mayor-elect A. J. M. Muzammil had already written to the Municipal Commissioner objecting to the creation of the opposition leader’s post in the council stating the Municipal Ordinance does not provide provision for such a post. UPFA Mayoral candidate, Milinda Moragoda and other elected members of the UPFA including M. Manzil, Mohamed more..

Nov 1 (BBC) Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif have been found guilty of their part in a "spot-fixing" scam. Former captain Butt, 27, and fast bowler Asif, 28, had denied conspiracy to cheat and conspiracy to accept corrupt payments. But a jury at London's Southwark Crown Court found Butt guilty of both charges and Asif guilty of conspiring to cheat. They plotted to deliberately bowl no-balls during a Lord's Test match against England last summer. more..

Nov 1 (DM) Angry crowds set a medical laboratory and a house in the Boraketiya area in Karandeniya on fire today. The laboratory is owned by the main suspect arrested in connection with the killing of Dr. Prasad Jayasinghe, which took place on September 29 in front of his dispensary in Thalgashandiya. The angry residents disregarded the security deployed in the area and set the laboratory and house on fire. More than 5000 people had stormed into the building and more..

Nov 1 (HN) A group of members of the Thai Royal Family who recently visited the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy for a religious observance to obtain blessings for the 84 year old Thai King met President Mahinda Rajapakse today. Several members of the Royal Family including Princess Soamsawali of Thailand and 2 Buddhist priests met the President at Temple Trees. It is reported that the President was presented with sacred relics and statues of Lord Buddha which more..

Nov 1 (LP) A report pertaining to the current boundaries on world heritage sites in Sri Lanka will be sent to UNESCO, the Ministry of National Heritage said. This measure is being taken to confirm that these heritage sites remain untouched. The UNESCO annually inquires into constructions near world heritage sites and other matters in the relevant countries. If the boundaries of these world heritage sites have been changed, the site would be removed by UNESCO from the world heritage site list. more..

Nov 1 (ST) Beauty salons island-wide will be inspected for unregistered beauty products from today, Director of Cosmetic Devices and Drug Regulatory Authority Dr. Hemantha Beneragama said. The decision was made after a woman from Negombo died of an allergic reaction to a bleaching cream applied at a salon. He said there are over 5000 beauty salons in the country and about 10,000 barber shops. Food and Drug Inspectors will be conducting the raids during the month of November. more..

Nov 1 (Hindu) Lanka IOC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Indian Oil Corporation, will introduce for the first time in the Sri Lankan market, Euro III grade petrol in about a fortnight. Lanka IOC and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation have a duopoly on retail petrol and diesel sale in Sri Lanka. The Lanka IOC MD, Mr K.R. Suresh Kumar, said that since there was a large number of premium cars and SUVs on the roads, there existed a ready market for higher quality petrol. more..

Nov 1 (DM) Opposition and UNP leader leader Ranil Wickremsighe today warned that the ‘People’s Power’ would have to be used if the central govt ruled by the UPFA shackles the administration of the Colombo Municipal Council which his party had secured at the recently concluded local govt election. He said the UNP should be allowed to administrate the whole Council with full powers as it had received a people’s mandate to govern it. more..

Nov 2 (LG) This morning, I received the following communication where one Malaysian Tamil asks the other ‘Despite all the Atrocities committed by GoSL, I am disappointed that the Chogm in Australia decided, to have the next Chogm in SL ! What happened to the Diaspora protests etc, please?’ My response was: To me, as a Sri Lankan, CHOGM was a success as follows: 1. Tamil Diaspora's work helped them find opportunity with Australian Media. This in some respects spread to global level. more..