Nov 7 (CT) Commenting on Kumar David’s article Mr Kaputa stridently assets that there are no secular states. This statement deserves comment because it is a widespread belief, especially among expatriate communities, and especially after the “defeat of terrorism”. The secular state is not just a “fancy idea” as Mr Kaputa claims. It is real. It is true that some relics of the past survive in the political ritual of western democracies. But this is merely a civil religion that has neither religious emotion nor more..

Nov 7 (SL) Nodath pulled out a copy of a newspaper from his silli-silli bag when as sat down for his regular discussion with his old school friend Sududath at the Waterhole on local current affairs. Both are loyal old boys of the Forward School for Backward Boys Nodath (ND) pointing out to a report headlined: A Candidate needs Rs 50 Million to enter Parliament: Sin no machang. We are always blackguarding our representatives – the AMPees, but look at what they have to spend to more..

Nov 7 (DBS) The Supreme Court determination on the Constitutionality of the proposed bill on establishing a Divineguma Department for Development has proved to be adverse in certain aspects to the Govt of President Mahinda Rajapaksa,it is learnt. The Supreme Court ruling by Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, Justice Nihal Gamini Amaratunga and Justice K.Sripavan that was delivered to Prliament on Oct 31st more..

Nov 7 (DN) Over 266,000 persons left Sri Lanka for overseas employment this year contributing US$ 5.1 billion to the country's foreign exchange reserve surpassing the income received by Sri Lanka through the export of tea, coconut, rubber and garments, Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau chairman Amal Senadhilankara said. Sri Lanka is on a fast track towards development. The country is developing while setting an example to the the world, he said. A developing country based more..

Nov 7 (Island) The govt has to be commended for handing over the impeachment motion against the Chief Justice to the Speaker before the commencement of the Universal Periodic Review of the UNHRC on Sri Lanka. This does not reflect the merits or otherwise of the impeachment, but all I am saying is that the govt was not intimidated by the UPR. Many would have expected the govt to hand over the impeachment motion after the UPR so that it would not be discussed at that "august" more..

Nov 7 (Island) "The challenge for Sri Lanka is to develop a policy framework that would stabilize the economy; boost investment and growth; and earn rather than borrow reserves," the Pathfinder Foundation said yesterday. "By 4Q 2011, it had become apparent that the country was headed for a serious balance of payment crisis. This may be attributed to adverse external developments and a misaligned macroeconomic policy framework more..

Nov 7 (Island) The National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) Chairman Prof. Carlo Fonseka has vowed to have pictorial warnings printed on packets of tobacco products, come what may. Legislation to that effect has already been passed in several other countries. Such warnings have proved quite effective in arousing fear and disgust and helping addicts kick the habit and deter potential smokers. However, just any warning won't do. They must be scary enough to send a chill down more..

Nov 7 (DN) The govt will not allow Provincial Councils to recruit candidates to be trained as nurses, Health Ministry Secretary Dr Nihal Jayathilake said. The free health service in the country is going through an important phase. The Health Ministry has the right to correct false statements made by certain elements about the nursing service, he said. "Recruiting nurses and training them in their profession is the responsibility of the Health Ministry," he said. more..

Nov 7 (CI) Early in the evening, BJ Watling missed his century by four runs but returned to the pavilion with a spring in his step after propelling New Zealand to a competitive total in difficult circumstances, with rain curtailing the game to 33 overs a side. Tillakaratne Dilshan not only passed three figures, but also ensured Sri Lanka passed the finish line without panic in a controlled chase. The two innings were statistically similar more..

Nov 7 (FT) The new packaging law on tobacco will be deferred till Nov 22, the next date of hearing in the case filed by the Ceylon Tobacco Company. CTC said with the case being taken up in the Court of Appeal yesterday, the Deputy Solicitor General who appeared for the Ministry of Health gave an undertaking that the above would not be implemented until 22 Nov 2012, which is the next date of hearing. The company on Friday went to Court challenging the Tobacco Products more..

Nov 7 (DM) Sri Lanka Athletic Association is in a quandary on selecting athletes for the forthcoming international meets due to the malfunction of its selection Committee at present. Sri Lanka has been invited to take part at the Pune Marathon, Asian Marathon and the Open Meet in Macau. Considering the ongoing situation, Minister Aluthgamage has taken measures to appoint a new set of Selectors. Former Asian gold medalist Kosala Shabandu has been nominated as the head of the more..

Nov 7 (Island) UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera queried in Parliament how the govt could claim that former chief arms procurer of the LTTE, who had provided weapons to kill former President Ranasinghe Premadasa, Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar and thousands of others, was innocent. Samaraweera, moving a motion for the debate at the adjournment of the House, said that Kumaran Pathmanathan, alias KP, had more..

Nov 7 (Island) UNP and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, in Parliament yesterday, questioned the government on leasing a four-acre plot of land in the Colombo Fort area to KRRISH Group in India. Making a special statement, the Opposition Leader said: The media reported that a four-acre plot of land in Fort had been leased to KRRISH Group of India for commercial purposes under a lease payment of Rs five billion for 99 years by the Urban Development Authority. more..

Nov 7 (CT) Prestige Automobile Pvt. Ltd., the local agents of BMW recently showcased the full range of BMW ActiveHybrid cars — BMW ActiveHybrid 3, ActiveHybrid 5 and ActiveHybrid 7 — at their newly re-furbished showroom in Battaramulla. The newest generation of the BMW ActiveHybrid models take intelligent energy management one step further, by offering even greater efficiency with lesser consumption without compromising on the power and dynamics of a BMW TwinPower Turbo more..

Nov 7 (Island) With a Presidential Election likely to be held in 2014, the UNP will launch a massive re-organisation of the party at grass roots level, after the annual convention scheduled for Dec. 1. Amidst mounting speculation that President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who can now contest a third term in keeping with the 18th Amendment, intended calling an early presidential election in the latter half of 2014, General Secretary of the more..

Nov 7 (DN) A contempt of court case filed by a government MP against the Publisher of The Sunday Leader and journalist Frederica Jansz was taken up for inquiry by the Court of Appeal yesterday. Whe the case was taken up before Court of Appeal President Justice S. Sriskandaraja, second respondent Frederica Jansz was not present in court despite being warned to appear in court. As she had not obtained permission from court for her absence, Gamini Marapana PC who appeared appeared for petitioner moved that more..

Nov 7 (LT) The private university bill that had to be withdrawn due to widespread opposition to it from many quarters is to be brought back through a cabinet paper states Socialist Students’ Union (SSU). This was stated by the National Organizer of SSU Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa at a media conference. Speaking further Dr. Jayatissa said the govt’s education policy is privatization of education. There were obstacles earlier when various govts attempted to carry out this policy he pointed out. more..

Nov 7 (DN) The Divineguma Bill can be passed in Parliament by effecting the amendments suggested in the Supreme Court order, including a special majority. Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa informed Parliament of the Supreme Court determination in connection with the Divineguma Bill. According to the Supreme Court determination “since the views cannot be obtained from one Provincial Council due to it not being more..

Nov 7 (PTI) The ICC said Sunday it fined and reprimanded Sri Lanka middle-order batsman Dinesh Chandimal and Pakistani opener Mohammad Hafeez for violating its code of conduct. "In separate incidents, both players were found to have breached article 2.1.3 of the code which relates to showing dissent at an umpire's decision," the ICC said in a statement. "After play concluded, the players admitted the offences and accepted the proposed sanctions offered to them by more..

Nov 7 (UNFCCC) This activity spearheaded by the Lanka Electric Vehicle Association (LEVA), with support from the GEF Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP), implemented by the UNDP, has helped to demonstrate the viability of and paved the way for the commercial introduction of electric and hybrid vehicles on the streets of Colombo. Initially planned as a demonstration and capacity building activity, LEVA switched to advocacy work, successfully lobbying the govt to to support more..

Nov 7 (Island) National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) Chairman Prof. Carlo Fonseka said pictorial warnings would be printed on packets of tobacco products regardless of resistance from some quarters. He said around 40 to 50 persons died daily in Sri Lanka due to smoking. The only motive of the cigarette manufacturing firms was profit maximisation. NATA would go all out to implement the Tobacco and Alcohol Act to more..

Nov 7 (DN) President Mahinda Rajapaska yesterday opened the Preliminary Care Unit of the Tangalle Base Hospital in view of the 45th death commemoration of former Minister and one time Deputy Speaker D.A. Rajapaksa. This project costing Rs. 181 million was funded by the Korean foundation for International Healthcare. This is the second Preliminary Care Unit built with Korean Assistance. Korea has also provided the expertise and equipment required for the unit. more..

Nov 7 (FT) A massive demonstration was held near the Parliamentary complex yesterday, urging the Govt to get the Divi Neguma Development Department Bill passed with a two-thirds majority. Nearly 20,000 people including members of Samurdhi trade unions and progressive people’s organisations participated in the demonstration. They wanted the Govt not to withdraw the bill regardless of the obstacles since the LTTE rump and international forces are apparently more..

Nov 7 (LBO) Sri Lanka's Supreme Court has ruled that sections of an appropriation bill for 2013 which lays the basic outline for a budget for next year is unconstitutional. The Supreme Court in a determination tabled in parliament said two sections relating to borrowings and re-allocating money allocated for another purpose is against section 148 of Sri Lanka's constitution. Section 148 of the constitution says the "Parliament shall have more..

Nov 7 (SG) Sri Lanka fought Tamil separatists for nearly three decades. The civil war was finally brought to a close in 2009, with thousands of people losing their lives during the conflict. During the final stages of the conflict, questions of war crimes committed against the minority Tamils were raised. In 2010, the President Mahinda Rajapaksa introduced a reconciliation commission meant to heal the wounds of ethnic hostility that had festered for many years. more..

Nov 7 (Island) The UNP yesterday called for the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC), due to hear the Impeachment Motion against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, be conferred with judicial powers. Since the Members of Parliament who are to be appointed to the PSC, will in effect be performing a judicial role in determining the 14 charges that have been levelled against the Chief Justice, it should be granted appropriate authority to perform the task at hand, to ensure that more..

Nov 7 (SMH) The indefinite detention of asylum seekers on Nauru is 'an egregious breach of international human rights law', says the Gillard govt's hand-picked human rights commissioner, Gillian Triggs. And in a separate development, Australia has told Sri Lanka - a country it has been returning asylum seekers to - that it must stop its police and army abusing, torturing and mistreating its citizens, and must end the disappearances more..

Nov 7 (DN) The govt would never try to privatize any govt institution, said Minister Susil Premajayantha. “Though some trade unions spread rumours regarding the privatization of oil refinery at Sapugaskanda, President Rajapaksa will never allow any govt institution to be privatised. So all these false rumours are spread only with the sole purpose of gaining political advantage.” he said. The Minister said the govt has taken a policy decision to modernize the oil refinery at Sapugaskanda more..

Nov 7 (Island) In the wake of persistent calls for the implementation of death penalty in Sri Lanka, the EU has sought a clarification from the govt as regards its position. Head of the EU delegation in Colombo Bernard Savage met Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem at the latter’s ministry to discuss the issue. Minister has assured Ambassador Savage that a committee headed by a retired High Court judge would be appointed soon to pave the way for death sentences to be converted to prison terms. more..

Nov 7 (Island) A motion calling for the appointment of a Select Committee of Parliament, to probe several allegations against Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayke, has been included in the Order Paper of Parliament. The motion signed by 117 govt members calls for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to probe 14 allegations that have been levelled against the Chief Justice. The signatories have said the more..

Nov 7 (DM) The Govt is resorting to the impeachment of the Chief Justice, whose appointment was signed and approved by the head of the same regime. To facilitate this process, the Govt had sought and collected 117 signatures from the members of Parliament, for this motion to be handed to the Speaker, so that the death knell could be expedited against the last bastion that protects democracy and the fundamental rights of the people. “The gauntlet is thrown” by fate towards more..

Nov 7 (DM) Impeachment is an eerie prospect - a legislative lasso twirled to hurl a justice up for unseating. It dispatches a chilling message where a govt holds a majority. If the parliamentary majority is overwhelming, logistically the judiciary is tied to a kennel lashed by the party whip. The dice is heavily loaded against – unfairly. Citizens face a similar ordeal when Justice takes them on contempt of court. Chief Justice Bandaranayake always ensured a proper hearing when she heard a case more..

Nov 7 (SL) The Appropriations Bill for the year 2013 was presented to parliament by Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva. During the coming weeks, The Sunday Leader will take a detailed look at spending patterns on key subject areas, and attempt to set them in a historical context. This week, we focus on state-spending on the agriculture industry. Calculating the detailed expenditure on the agriculture sector including summing up more..

Nov 7 (LB) Aunique mechanism of the UN to review the human rights practices of all its 192 member states, once every four years at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), is currently on in Geneva. Sri Lanka’s turn was on Nov 1, 2012 as the three member states, India, Benin and Spain reviewed the progress Sri Lanka had made since its last report to the UPR in 2008. It is hardly necessary to remind the reader that all three members more..

Nov 7 (ST) In the wake of the latest gem rush in Kantale, the National Gem and Jewellery Authority is discussing with the Irrigation Department, the possibility of auctioning the land near the bund of the tank, for gem mining, Authority Director General Nimal Bandara said. “The lands along the tank bund belong to the Irrigation Department, and as both the Department and Authority come under the purview of the more..

Nov 7 (Yahoo) President Barack Obama handily defeated Gov. Mitt Romney and won himself a second term on Tuesday after a bitter and historically expensive race that was primarily fought in just a handful of battleground states. Obama beat Romney after nabbing almost every one of the 12 crucial battleground states. In a sweeping victory speech early Wednesday morning, Obama thanked every American who voted, and vowed to more..

Nov 7 (Hindu) The Karnataka Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) has decided to employ third generation Sri Lankan repatriate workers in its rubber plantations located in Dakshina Kannada. Forest Minister C.P. Yogeshwar said the corporation has sought the Law Department’s opinion on modifying an earlier agreement which provided for employment to two generations of Sri Lankan repatriates. more..

Nov 7 (AT) The new face of the Tamil Tigers appear as human rights activists. Having committed the worst atrocities for three decades, they are now marching in the corridors of power in Geneva. The Tigers and their cubs are harnessing the vast network in the West and in Tamil Nadu to regroup and human rights lobby has fallen prey to them. Tamil tigers offered votes to Western politicians dependent on minority more..

Nov 7 (Island) Acting on information received from an anonymous caller, police commandos on Monday arrested a major heroin dealer, who had been running a major distribution network, about one kilometre from the Maharagama police station. The commandos had cordoned off Station Road, Maharagama, where they detained the suspect at 1.30 p.m. "We recovered 15 grammes and 830 miligrammes of heroin and Rs. 2.7 mn," more..

Nov 7 (Island) Land belonging to Mahaweli Authority is being grabbed on a large scale in the Haragama sector of Senkadagala. This was disclosed by the chairman of the Gangawata Korale Pradeshiya Sabha Gamini Wijebandara at the Gangawata Korale Co-ordinating Committee meeting on Monday. Central Provincial Council member Thilina Bandara Tennakoon chaired the meeting at the conference hall of the Kandy more..