Feb 27 (Island) Sri Lanka’s comfortable victory at a vote at the 11th sessions of the UNHRC on May 29, 2009, 10 days after the army had finished off the LTTE on the banks of the Nanthikadal lagoon, too, had contributed to the US decision to move an unprecedented resolution against Sri Lanka at the 19th sessions. The army shot dead LTTE leader Prabhakaran on May 19, 2009. The sessions will begin today and continue till March 23. more..

Feb 27 (DN) “All Sri Lankans keeping aside all divisive factors should join hands to safeguard the country from international influences at this crucial hour, prominent artistes representing all artistes in the country urged. Addressing a press conference yesterday, artistes requested the public to join in the protest rally today to show the world that Sri Lanka is internally strong, united and ready to defeat any international plot against the country. They observed that the hidden intention behind the resolution of the US led Western countries at more..

Feb 27 (Island) UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said that no war crimes charges could be levelled against any Sri Lankan including President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Sri Lanka was not a party to the Rome statute making Sri Lankans liable to be tried by the International Criminal Court. Wickremesinghe making a special statement said as the Prime Minister of the country he had not signed the Rome Protocol and everybody was now protected. more..

Feb 27 (DM) On the eve of the 19th UNHRC session, Minister G.L. Peiris yesterday undertook a lobbying spree in the African continent to solicit the support of the like-minded countries in the region to defeat the US-sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka at the Council. A ministerial delegation headed by Prof. Peiris engaged in talks with a number of countries in Geneva over a period of one week, and he left for Africa for further diplomatic engagements in this respect. more..

Feb 27 (Hindu) Concerned at the plight of Tamils in Sri Lanka following reports of alleged war crimes and violation of human rights during the war, the Communist Party of India asked India to raise the issue at the current UNHRC meeting at Geneva. CPI MP D. Raja said the party had consistently raised the issue of Sri Lankan Tamils both inside and outside Parliament. Even during the last phase of the war, the CPI pleaded with the Centre to prevail upon Colombo to stop the genocide and more..

Feb 27 (BBC) A Sri Lankan leader of World Forum of Fisher People (WFFP) has urged authorities to guarantee his safety following death threats after fishermen's protest against recent fuel price increase. Herman Kumara, the Secretary General of the WFFP told BBC that he noticed a group following him in a van on his arrival after attending an international conference in Rome. "I noticed a group following me in a van with registration no 301-2865 and their attempt was to abduct me," more..

Feb 27 (Island) Two Nuwara-Eliya District MPs K. Sri Ranga and P. Digambaram representing the National Workers Union (NWU) are contemplating leaving the Govt ranks if their discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa within the next few days does not bear any fruit. The two MPs who were elected on the UNP ticket told The Island that they were disgusted with the manner they were treated at District Development Committee meetings in Nuwara-Eliya. more..

Feb 27 (Guardian) This week the UN Human Rights Council has an opportunity and a duty to help Sri Lanka advance its own efforts on accountability and reconciliation. Both are essential if a lasting peace is to be achieved. In doing so, the council will not only be serving Sri Lanka, but those worldwide who believe there are universal rights and international legal obligations we all share. Nearly three years since the defeat of the LTTE by the Sri Lankan govt there has still been no serious domestic investigation of more..

Feb 27 (Island) Maha Sangha led by the Most Venerable Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya will stage a "Sathyagraha" in front of the Sri Dalada Maligawa today (27) to invoke the blessings of the Triple Gem for victory of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa against the vicious campaign being mounted against the country at the UNHRC. The ‘Sathyagraha’ is scheduled to commenced at 8.30 a.m. more..

Feb 27 (DN) The govt is to hold massive islandwide protest campaigns today against the resolution which is to be presented against the Sri Lankan govt at the UNHRC sessions in Geneva to be held from today to March 24. The protest campaigns will be held at regional level. They will take place in 150 main cities across the country. The main campaign is to be held in Colombo at 3pm. The govt urged the public to line up as one nation to defeat local and more..

Feb 27 (Island) Condemning the UNHRC’s resolution against Sri Lanka, the JVP yesterday said that the United Nations Organization was not an independent body. JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that the UN was working for the agenda of western countries that had economic and military might. "The UN is working to fulfill the needs of imperial countries," he said. However, the govt paved the way for western countries including USA to work against Sri Lanka, Dissanayake said. more..

Feb 27 (Island) There was a danger of President Mahinda Rajapaksa being assassinated and a pro-Western government being installed here therefore bogus demonstrations should be stopped and in order to defeat the Western plot systematic action should be adopted, declared veteran lawyer S.L. Gunasekera yesterday on behalf of the nationalist organizations’ collective. He made the above observation at a media briefing organized by the Collective of Nationalist Organisations at more..

Feb 27 (LB) Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, who is a member of the Sri Lanka’s delegation to the UNHRC sessions in Geneva says that in all probability, the country’s delegation would be quizzed on what measures have been taken by the government to implement the proposals recommended in the LLRC report. However, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva is of the view that such proposals cannot be implemented in an ad-hoc manner purely at the behest of NGOs. more..

Feb 27 (SL) Last Week, a Buddhist monk was involved in a head on collision on the High Level Road in Pannipitiya was found to be under the influence of liquor. Ven. Thripalagama Pannajeewa the Chief Incumbent of Gothami Viharaya, Jambugasmulla Mawatha, Nugegoda was involved in a head on collision with a Toyota Land Cruzer bearing registration number 31 Sri 4563 on Thursday, February 23 around 11 pm. The monk was at the wheel in his metallic coloured more..

Feb 27 (FT) IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has affirmed its commitment to take a more active role in promoting inclusive growth in Sri Lanka by working closely with the Govt and the private sector. On his first official visit to the country last week, IFC Executive Vice President and CEO Lars Thunell met with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Minister Basil Rajapaksa, here he reiterated IFC’s commitment to supporting private sector development. more..

Feb 27 (DM) The govt claimed that the inaccuracy of the Darusman Report was proven by the census that was carried out by the Department of Census and Statistics. Meanwhile the opposition claimed the report by the Census Department could not be taken as fact until there was proper verification of the methods used to collect the data. “This discrepancy in the numbers shows the speculation and myth that has been woven into the Darusman report and more..

Feb 27 (Island) Hot on the heels of the auctioning of gem bearing plots of lands for Rs. 270.9 million at Kataragama by Gem and Jewellery Authority on Friday, another land is said to have been found with similar layer of ‘Illama’ or gem bearing gravel, about four kilo metres away from the first site at Pahala Tammenna area. As the news spread like a wildfire, over 20,000 persons rushed to the area and began to dig up the earth according to the Wildlife officers. more..

Feb 27 (CT) Power and Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka for the first time admitted shortcomings at the controversial Norochcholai Coal Power Plant. Minister said; “Yes, there are some spare part problems. We are in the process of solving these issues, but these unions are responsible for this,” he said. Blaming the unions further, Ranawaka said the unions are the ones who agreed to have Chinese standards. There is also a design problem. more..

Feb 27 (Island) Laugfs and Litro would not be permitted to increase their prices of 12.5 kg cylinders of LP gas as consumers could not be burdened any further after the recent fuel price hikes which has affected them considerably, the govt said. Minister Johnston Fernando said that both Laugfs Holdings and Litro (Pvt) Limited had been requesting a price hike for about six months but he was not in a position to agree as more..

Feb 27 (Island) The government delegation in Geneva for the 19th sessions of the UNHRC yesterday said that the TNA had made a fresh attempt to whitewash the LTTE. MP Sajin De Vass Gunawardena said that the TNA instead of putting pressure on the LTTE to return to the negotiating process threw its weight behind the group to pursue a military strategy. The TNA decision to call the LTTE sole representative of the Tamil speaking people in more..

Feb 27 (ST) The Govt is considering the introduction of fuel rationing or a fuel pricing formula in the face of skyrocketing oil prices while steps are being taken to cut energy consumption in state institutions, Finance Ministry and other official sources said. Strict instructions have been issued to ministries, departments and institutions to utilize fuel only for essential official work, and directions given to reduce more..

Feb 27 (GDI) The government is to hold massive islandwide protest campaigns today against the resolution which is to be presented against the Sri Lankan govt at the UNHRC sessions in Geneva to be held from today to March 24. The protest campaigns will be held at regional level. They will take place in 150 main cities across the country. The main campaign is to be held in Colombo at 3pm. more..

Feb 27 (DM) Finally, Sri Lanka has come to the threshold of Geneva horrors. For some, placing Sri Lanka on the tricky pedestal was an international conspiracy that hindered Lanka’s road to reconciliation. They also interpreted it to be a shameless attempt by the PRO-LTTE sects of the Diaspora who are seeking to take revenge while looking for a revival of the terror outfit. On the other hand, the so-called human rights activists and organizations, who were willfully more..

Feb 27 (LBO) Sri Lankan share prices fell Monday, ending a seven-day rally, with turnover also lower and sharp fluctuations in some illiquid stocks, brokers said. The main All Share Price Index closed down 1.61 percent at 5,476.59, while the more liquid Milanka index fell 1.03 percent to close at 4,753.39. Turnover was 616 million rupees. Brokers have said trading was lower because they were still getting used to a new trading system commissioned last Friday. more..

Feb 27 (SM) Founder-president of Sarvodaya Movement Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne has said that a time has come for the govts and political leaders to think of moving about without the security of armed personnel. Fondly referred to as the Sri Lankan Gandhi, Mr. Ariyaratne said that a true leader should be devoid of fear like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. He was speaking after releasing ‘Towards a non-killing world: Festschrift in honour of more..

Feb 27 (DM) The Kandy High Court sentenced to death two murder suspects who had been involved in a murder that took place in 2001 in Harasgama Road Matale. Kandy High Court Judge Ms. M.C.Phuspamalee sentenced to death the two accused B.G. Karunaratne alias Raja and B. Ariyaratne over the murder of H.D.Wimalasena on or about Sept 7, 2001. There were six witnesses called by the prosecution and the Judicial Medical Officer Dr. Sanjeewa Illanayake in evidence submitted to more..

Feb 27 (AD) United National Party (UNP) Councilors today (Feb. 27) morning attended Kandy Municipal Council sessions adorning black armbands in protest of the rise in fuel prices. The government is alone responsible for the resolution being brought against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council, Neranjan Wijeyeratne leader of the opposition in the Kandy Municipal Council said. Addressing members of the council today he stressed that although they are against more..

Feb 27 (LBO) John Keells Holdings (JKH) group is bracing for a fight with cola multinationals as its new locally made variety gains a share of the domestic beverage market. Jit Gunaratne, president of the consumer food and beverage group of JKH, said sales of their new Kik Cola beverage launched just over a year ago were encouraging. The JKH group decided to enter the cola market with its own beverage while revamping its existing brands of soft drinks. more..

Feb 27 (BBC) A teenager has admitted killing a shop worker on Merseyside. Mahesh Wickramasingha, 30, suffered fatal stab wounds while working at Stanley News in Huyton on 29 November. Sam Harrison, 19, of Salerno Drive, Huyton, appeared by video link at Liverpool Crown Court where he pleaded not guilty to murder but admitted manslaughter. He was remanded in custody until 21 May when he will face trial on the murder allegation. Mr Wickramasingha, a father-of-two, more..

Feb 27 (LBO) Sri Lanka's Lankem Chemicals has commissioned a chemical and thinner plant at Sapugaskanda, a northern suburb of the capital Colombo, at a cost of more than 120 million rupees. The firm, a subsidiary of Lankem Ceylon PLC, said in a statement the facility consists of an underground petro chemical storage facility, along with an inter-connected blending and drumming plant. "The first phase of the new factory consists of a warehouse which exceeds more than more..

Feb 27 (GDI) Rev. Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith of Colombo says that presenting of a resolution against Sri Lanka by the United States Govt at the UNHRC session in Geneva is an undue meddling in the sovereignty and integrity of Sri Lanka. Rev Fr Cyril Gamini Fernando, Chairman, Current Affairs Committee of Archdiocese of Colombo issuing a statement said that the US move with the support of certain western countries is more..

Feb 27 (DM) Three persons including two Chinese women and a Sri Lankan who were in remand custody for allegedly operating a mobile prostitution ring were released on bail by the Colombo Fort Magistrate today. Accordingly, the three suspects were released on two sureties of Rs.100,000 each. Meanwhile, the Magistrate issued an order on the Controller of Immigration and Emigration to prevent the two Chinese women from leaving the country. more..

Feb 27 (DM) The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has recorded 35 statements over the shooting incident in Chilaw in which a fisherman was killed during a confrontation on February 15. However no suspects have been arrested so far by the police. Statements had been recorded by the CID from policemen who were on duty and also policemen who were at the Chilaw Police Station and Chilaw SP’s office but no one had been arrested so far in connection with the shooting. more..

Feb 27 (FP) The Sri Lankan govt held a series of protests on Monday against what it calls “international conspiracies against the govt” even as it sent a monster 52-member delegation to Geneva for the 19th convention of the UNHRC. At the core of this angst is a US-sponsored resolution that seeks to draw attention to Sri Lanka’s absence of accountability in the aftermath of the war against the LTTE. The convention has inspired a whipping up of media frenzy and national outcry, more..

Feb 27 (DM) UNP MP Sujeewa Senasinghe said that the protest organized by the govt today was a strategy to divert the attention of the country. “These protests is a means of hoodwinking the masses, the country is in tatters, both economically and politically. The rule of law is depleting day by day,the abductions are on the rise and the cost of living has sky rocketed. The protests are used to hoodwink the masses who are fed up with this govt” he said. more..

Feb 27 (CI) On a tour of many disappointments for India, Tuesday's contest against Sri Lanka offers them a chance, albeit an extremely difficult one, of prolonging their fight to stay alive in the tri-series. Going by recent results - three straight defeats - the bonus-point win that India need to entertain any hope of qualifying for the finals seems a long shot. Their bowling attack is weakened due to injuries, their batsmen have struggled, more..

Feb 27 (LT) How the state power was used to swell numbers of the agitations held today to get support for the govt is being revealed. A notice has been sent to all traders in Embilipitiya with the signature of Ven. Wewalduwe Gnanapaha Thera, the Chairman of UPFA controlled Embilipitiya Pradeshiya Sabha, directing them to close all shops and boutiques and join the agitation. The licenses of three wheeler drivers who refused to join the agitations at Dickwella have more..

Feb 27 (DM) Lanka have not delved into complex arithmetic but have chosen to keep things simple and clean as they hope to make it into the finals of the Commonwealth Bank series Tri-Nation cricket tournament with a clear-cut victory over India today in Hobart rather than having to pursue hair splitting equations to seek the ways of moving forward. “We're just going to take it as a normal game and try and win the game, that's our attitude” Jayawardane said on the eve of the crucial match in which Sri Lanka has a great chance to more..

Feb 27 (SM) As a smaller nation, Sri Lanka cannot challenge the might of the United Nations, warns UNP national organizer Daya Gamage, and asks the Rajapaksa regime to keep in mind the fate of Libya’s Gaddafi who had attempted to do so. Addressing a function organized by the UNP Paris branch in the French capital as part of a drive to increase the party’s overseas membership to 100,000, he said Iran would also suffer the same outcome for opposing the UN, more..