Feb 8 (Island) An assistant of a Hindu Temple in Nawalapitiya took his habit of cheating unmarried women too far and ended up in trouble when one of them complained to the police. He had for a long period maintained his wife and three children by cheating un-married women. He met his Waterloo in a woman from Galaha, Nawalapitiya, who complained to the police that he promised to marry her and after several visits she made to the temple he had relieved her of her valuables, more..

Feb 8 (Island) Electricity provision to certain districts in the Northern Province has been increased seven fold within the last 18 months in the govt’s bid to make electricity provision 100 percent by the end of 2012. Only three percent of the Mullaitivu district was provided electricity by May 2010 when the ministry was taken up by Minister Champika Ranawaka. He added that the electricity provision was increased to 23 percent by January this year more..

Feb 8 (AT) Sri Lanka's 64th Independence anniversary was celebrated at the residence of the Sri Lankan Ambassador Gen. Shantha Kottegoda with the hoisting of the national flag, the singing of the National Anthem and religious observances. A representative gathering of persons of Sri Lankan origin working for international organizations, inter-governmental agencies, academic institutions, airlines and in business were present when Ambassador Kottegoda hoisted the national flag more..

Feb 8 (AT) The official ceremony commenced with the National Flag being hoisted by the Ambassador Oshadhi Alahapperuma amidst the beating of ‘Magul Bera’ followed by the recital of the National Anthem. The Traditional Oil Lamp was lit by the Ambassador, staff members and the Sri Lankan community leaders. Two minutes silence was observed in remembrance of the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of Sri Lanka. The religious observances of Buddhist, Hindu, more..

Feb 8 (CI) Just over 10 months have passed since that Wankhede night, last April. Within that period, the fates of the two teams that brought the best out of each other in that memorable World Cup final have nose-dived in bizarre style. India have been mercilessly stripped of their No. 1 Test ranking, the sunset on their golden generation of batsmen hastened by eight successive away drubbings. But their one-day outfit still holds promise, more..

Feb 8 (Island) Minister Keheliya Ramubkwella was likely to undergo another operation on his legs tomorrow in Melbourne. He sustained serious injuries to his legs when he fell from his third floor hotel balcony there and has already undergone two operations. The Minister had gone to Australia to get treatment for an injury his cricketer son Ramith had sustained on his right knee and when they were getting ready to come back after successful treatment to the son’s injury, more..

Feb 8 (Island) The government, in its bid to find a political solution through talks, has lost faith in the TNA, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said yesterday. He said the TNA’s stance had not evolved in line with the political developments; instead they displayed the very same attitude as the LTTE which was notorious for walking out of negotiations expecting everyone else to capitulate to their demands. The LTTE, too, had engaged in talks with more..

Feb 8 (CT) The incarceration and release of the former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka had taken priority during the talks of visiting top United States envoy Stephen Rapp. Sources told Ceylon Today that Rapp, US Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes, has brought up the ‘Fonseka matter’ during top-level meetings with high-ranking govt officials. The US Embassy in Colombo however, refused to comment on the meeting that Rapp will be having in Sri Lanka, more..

Feb 8 (DN) The government has spent about Rs 21,000 million for development projects in the Anuradhapura district parallel to the Deyata Kirula Exhibition with the aim of reviving the past glory of the ancient capital. The development projects launched by the govt on par with the Deyata Kirula exhibition has ushered an economic, social and cultural revival in the Anuradhapura district. The ministries, line departments and affiliated institutions under the govt have spent more..

Feb 8 (Island) The CEB losses for the 38 days of this year stand at a staggering nearly Rs. 55 billion, which is higher than the losses during all twelve months of the last year. CEB Technological Union, Senior Engineer Assistant, U.R.K. Senaratne said the govt, particularly the power sector was losing such huge amounts due to deals disadvantageous to Sri Lanka. The Island reliably learns that Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) monitoring the CEB, is not happy with the latter’s performance more..

Feb 8 (Island) Urging Norway to withdraw a series of LTTE stamps issued by Posten Norge recently at the behest of the LTTE rump, a senior govt official yesterday asked how Norway would feel if some other country released stamps depicting Norwegian Anders Behring Breivik, the right-wing extremist responsible for massacring 77 people in Norway. Asked whether GoSL had raised the issue with Norway, the official said that the Sri Lankan more..

Feb 8 (GDI) The govt has allocated Rs. One Billion for installing gates at all unprotected railway crossings in the country. The General Manager of Sri Lanka Railways B.A.P. Ariyaratne said that preliminary measures have been taken to install 200 gates across the island. There are 612 unprotected railway crossings out of a total number of 915 crossings in the country. Ariyaratne said that priority will be given to install gates along the Southern coastal line due to the more..

Feb 8 (CT) A 32 year old woman and a 68 year old man was found dead inside a 4th floor apartment of an apartment complex on the 37th Lane in Wellawatte which was on fire, police spokesman SP Ajith Rohana told Ceylon Today online. SP Rohana added that the police discovered the bodies after the they were informed regarding the flat on the 4th floor around 2.30 a.m. this morning. He further added that when the police conducted a search of the flat a fire was discovered inside the flat. more..

Feb 8 (LB) The government recently decided to rename Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Colombo 7, Nelum Pokuna Mawatha. This road was originally known as Greenpath, and subsequently in the 1980s was renamed Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha in honour of this illustrious personality who had rendered a valuable service in prserving arts and culture in the country during his time. To go back in time, Ananda Coomaraswamy was born on August 22, 1877, more..

Feb 8 (Island) The elite STF had once suggested to President Ranasinghe Premadasa to use an open mini-moke as a key part of its strategy to thwart a possible LTTE suicide attempt on the UNP leader’s life. But the President had dismissed the move, emphasizing his intention to go ahead with his routine. "The President expected those responsible for his safety and security to meet the LTTE’s challenge. more..

Feb 8 (ST) An illicit abattoir operated by an underworld gang in the Kotahena area for more than three years, was raided by the Police this week. It was public knowledge that the abattoir located on Maha Vidyala Mawatha, Colombo 13, close to schools, residents and business establishments was in operation. But no action was initiated until last Sunday when Colombo Senior DIG Anura Senanayake ordered the Colombo Fort police to raid the location. more..

Feb 8 (Island) A survey carried out by the Department of Manpower and Employment, of the Ministry of Productivity Promotion, has revealed that 69.5 per cent of the country’s total female population is inactive. Of that percentage 9.3 per cent possessed high educational qualifications. The report, titled ‘Determinants of Unemployment among Sri Lankan University Graduates’, states that economic inactivity among educated females was relatively high. more..

Feb 8 (CT) UNP will hold discussions with the TNA about the recommendations proposed by the LLRC. UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said the discussion will not be at an official level and added that UNP will be inviting the TNA once Parliament convenes in February. “We are planning to hold discussions with TNA and want to know their stance on the implementation of recommendations prescribed by the LLRC” he said. more..

Feb 8 (FT) The Tholons 2012 Top 100 Outsourcing Destinations report identifies the top global cities and counties for outsourcing IT/BPO services. With the improvement in the country’s value proposition in IT/BPO, Sri Lanka is clearly emerging as a global sourcing destination in the region. The positive socio-political developments driven by the country’s improving security conditions have been highlighted as key reasons for attracting more companies more..

Feb 8 (Island) The UGC blamed the JVP for the deteriorating situation in the university system and the massive disruptions of the academic calendar. UGC Chairman Prof. Gamini Samaranayake said that the JVP rebel group currently controls university student unions according to their cheap political agenda. "Their political agenda is to create indiscipline in universities," more..

Feb 8 (DM) Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka has called off his fast, DNA Parliamentarian Arjuna Ranatunga said. Speaking exclusively to Daily Mirror online Ranatunga said that Sarath Fonseka was taken to the hospital a short while ago. “The officials, instead of taking the General to the hospital had brought him back to Welikada, upon hearing that we began a protest march to the prison complex. more..

Feb 8 (NNI) President Mahinda Rajapaksha would reach Pakistan on a state visit from February 10 to 12 at the invitation of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari. During his three day visit, President Rajapaksha will meet President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani. Discussions will be held between the two sides for strengthening political, defense, cultural, tourism, media, economic, business and trade relations more..

Feb 8 (DPA) Opposition parties in Sri Lanka demonstrated Wednesday outside the Superior Courts Complex, demanding the immediate release of former army chief Sarath Fonseka, jailed on corruption charges. The protest coincided with the second anniversary of the arrest of Fonseka, who spearheaded the military operations that defeated Tamil separatist rebels and brought an end to a 26-year-old conflict in May 2009. more..

Feb 8 (LBO) Stock market slide deepened Wednesday with the main index plunging over 100 points, down for the sixth straight trading session. The main All Share Price Index closed down 2.14 percent at 5,442.25, while the more liquid Milanka index fell 1.75 percent to close at 4,721.79. Turnover was 878 million rupees. Index heavyweight John Keells Holdings fell 2.60 rupees to close at 164.90 rupees while Commercial Bank fell 60 cents to end at 101.40 rupees. more..

Feb 8 (DM) Amid the euphoria after the Independence Day parades and pageantry, pomp and pious pronouncements, we need to reflect deeply on the truth of truths -- that only the Truth can set us really free. This will prompt the question, what is Truth? According to the core teachings and essence of all religions, true freedom must begin with the gradual inner liberation from selfishness and self-centredness. Possibly due to some genetic factor, we are born with a selfish nature more..

Feb 8 (CI) India's feted openers exited the stage too early, and the inexperienced middle order succumbed to old failings, but their bowling allrounders Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin showed admirable poise to steer a wobbly chase home. Virat Kohli's authoritative 77 set the agenda for India, but they began to falter when he contracted cramps around the mid-point of the innings. His exit, run out for 77 attempting a hopeless single, meant India had more..

Feb 8 (UCAN) The families of six fishermen thought lost at sea but who had in fact been abducted by Somali pirates have pleaded to the government to free their loved ones. The fishermen were abducted in the Indian Ocean last October. However, the families had assumed they had been lost at sea and were only informed of their capture last month after the pirates demanded a US$6 million ransom. All the fishermen are from the town of Negombo, about 40km north of Colombo. more..

Feb 8 (CT) Stray dogs in the vicinity of the Kalubowila Hospital are currently being round up to relocated at another location, Health Ministry Public Health Services Deputy Director General Dr Sarath Amunugama said. The dogs are being relocated according to a directive issued by the Health Ministry. Dr Amunugama added that the Health Ministry had given animal welfare activists two months to remove the stray dogs from vicinities of the Kalubowila, Ragama and the Mental Hospital in Mulleriyawa. more..

Feb 8 (Xinhua) Sri Lanka released a new video on Wednesday which looks at the various crimes committed by the Tamil Tiger rebels during a brutal 30-year war. The release of the video comes as Sri Lanka prepares to face pressure at the UNHRC in Geneva later this month to probe allegations committed by the military during the war. The Sri Lankan Media Center for National Security said that the video titled "Ruthless" recounts true accounts of more..

Feb 8 (DM) Minister Rajitha Senaratne in Parliament vowed to fight against politics involving drug kingpins and underworld. In response to some comments made against him by a private radio channel, he said that he never dares to take a tough stand against drug dealings and underworld activities. Referring to the Mulleriyawa shooting incident, he said that Bharata Lakshman Premachandra who was killed in the incident was one of his close political colleagues. more..

Feb 8 (DM) Two govt allies, the TMVP and the SLMC, are expected to oppose the Town and Country Planning Ordinance Amendment Bill when it is presented to the Eastern Provincial Council on Feb 13. An SLMC member of the Eastern Provincial Council said that the party would oppose it as the people’s rights would be violated by this piece of legislation. The Amendment gives the central govt the power to take over lands within municipal and urban areas for economic, social, more..

Feb 8 (GDI) Minister Bandula Gunawardena has refuted allegations made by the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe about the education policies of the govt. He has said that free education will be made an eternal heritage of the poor people of this country in accordance with the pledge given in the Mahinda Chinthana. The Minister has vehemently rejected the statement recently made by the opposition leader Ranil Wickremasinghe that the govt is more..

Feb 8 (LBO) Sri Lanka might be in danger of losing part of its market for tea in the Middle East, one of its biggest markets, as younger consumers are shifting away from the beverage. Hilmy Cader, chief executive of MTI Consulting, said his international management consultancy based in Bahrain had observed a change in tea consumption patterns in the Middle East. "Tea, other than iced tea, is still having major challenges in appealing to the younger generation," more..

Feb 8 (LBO) SriLankan Airlines has called on all economy class passengers to check in an hour before scheduled time of departure in a move to ease congestion at the airport. "All SriLankan Airlines economy class check in counters will close 60 minutes before scheduled time of departure from February 01, 2012," a statement said. The move is to "ensure a swift and smooth check in for passengers", it said. "The change is expected to achieve optimum utilization of more..

Feb 8 (LT) A ‘protest walk’ had been organized from Hulfsdorp Court Complex to Welikada today to mark two years since Gen. Sarath Fonska has been imprisoned. The appeal to Supreme Court by Gen. Fonseka against the decision of the ‘white flag’ case too was taken up today and the hearing was put off for three months. Members of political parties, civil organizations as well as professionals and artistes participated in the ‘protest walk.’ more..

Feb 8 (LT) “Fishermen and their craft have been seized by Somali pirates and are being detained for nearly five months. The media had reported that a large ransom has been demanded to release them. It was also reported that their relatives and the owner of the fishing craft had said they did not have so much money to pay the ransom. The relatives of the detained fishermen and the fisher folk are suffering from mental agony due to the situation. They selected fishing as more..

Feb 8 (SM) Sri Lankan state media which are directly controlled by the president's office continue to slander the press freedom watch dog, the Free Media Movement and its leading activists, Networking for Rights alleges. NfR says in a statement, In a response to FMM statement to prove state media allegation that FMM is working with the Tamil National Alliance state media has unleashed another round of false allegations. State media has miserably failed to prove any of more..

Feb 8 (CT) Kesbewa District Judge Chamath Madanayake ordered an accused K.A. Jayalath to pay the government a sum of Rs. 534,960 for causing damage to a security fence on the Southern Expressway. The accused while driving fast met with an accident near Kahatuduwa entrance to the Express way causing damage to the security fence to the tune of Rs. 534,960, Kahatuduwa Police Traffic Sergeant Wijeweera told the Court. The Judge ordered the accused to pay the above sum to more..

Feb 8 (GDI) President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that the children who are to undertake the responsibility of this country in the future should be provided with equal facilities regardless of whether they are form the urban areas or from village areas. President Rajapaksa also pointed out that necessary steps will be taken to increase educational opportunities for the next generation and to create a better atmosphere to augment the health facilities of more..