Nov 3 (DN) All preliminary arrangements have now been finalised to set up a new Hydro Power station which will increase the power supply of the national grid as part of the development expansion projects in the country. In this connection, the first Hydro Power station in the South will be set up soon at Katuwana in the Hambantota District, confirmed MP Namal Rajapaksa. The new power station which will come up in the Keselwatta area in Katuwana in Hambantota, will be constructed at a cost of more..

Nov 3 (DN) A new cycling track at Torrington Square was opened for the public by Defence and Urban Development Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on Oct 31. The cycling track was a long felt need of both the young and old patronising the Torrington Square premises regularly. The new track is yet another facility at Torrington Square to make it a 'must visit' place in the city for the health conscious and others. This is the first cycling track in the city. Joining hands together with the Defence more..

Nov 3 (Island) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) yesterday after consultation with touring New Zealand team and host broadcaster Ten Sports decided to shift the second and third ODIs scheduled for Colombo to Pallekele International Stadium, but many fans were left wondering why SLC has dragged its feet in playing games at Dambulla. The Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium built in 2001 is situated in the North Central more..

Nov 3 (Island) The Public Health Department of the Colombo Municipal Council has started inspecting fruit drinks available in the market following complaints that they are of low quality. Colombo Central MOH office sources said that inspections were being carried out on instructions by the Public Health Department of the Colombo Municipal Council. However, officials of the City Analyst’s office, when contacted, refused to comment on the fruit content that should be present in bottles and packets. more..

Nov 3 (Island) The Japanese Embassy along with the Japan Foundation and Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka (SOSL), have teamed up to conduct several cultural events in Jaffna, which is a first for them, to coincide with the 60th anniversary of Sri Lanka-Japan diplomatic relations. The events to be staged both in Jaffna and Colombo, are scheduled to feature several concerts including Premières, Classical and a AUN & HIDE musical performance. Also lined up are the screening of a Japanese film more..

Nov 3 (DM) The Govt, in response to the statement made by the United States at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in Geneva said today that they had completely acted within the provisions of the Constitution with regard to the impeachment against the Chief Justice. Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the legislators had acted completely within the Constitutional framework. “If jungle law has been practiced in this instance I can understand all these allegations and more..

Nov 3 (DN) The govt’s policy is to develop all hospitals in state and provincial sectors, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said. “All hospitals in the public sector provide a free health service to the public. The govt’s aim is to upgrade the standards of the country’s free health service, whether they come under the central govt or provincial councils,” he added. Minister was speaking during an inspection tour of Wathupitiwala Base and Gampaha General Hospitals.The minister discussed the development process of more..

Nov 3 (CT) Seven out of the eight suspects who were involved in the hijacking of the ship Chejan were identified through an identification parade by the remaining two surviving mechanics of the ship when the suspects were paraded before Tangalle Magistrate, K.U.T. Silva on Thursday. At the time of the hijack, the owner of the ship, Waligath Sethunge Ajith Kumara, Loku yadhiyage Roshan, Galapathi Arachige Suranga, Dulaj Chathurange (18), Priyantha Indrajith Kumara (25) and more..

Nov 3 (CT) With 5 days left to present Budget 2013 what will the govt do to revitalize the flagging economy of this country, UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake asked. “What is to be expected from the upcoming budget? The govt gazettes have already given us a clear idea,” he said. Increase of salaries, decrease of costs and total elimination of corruption are just some of the expectations from the upcoming budget more..

Nov 3 (TOI) Five writ petitions, seeking various reliefs, including giving direction to the authorities to provide licences to the fishermen in coastal areas of Tamil Nadu to carry firearms with them, were dismissed by the Madurai bench of the Madras high court on Friday. The petitioners had sought the issuance of licences immediately to the fishermen to carry firearms with them while fishing in the sea between India and Sri Lanka in order to exercise their private defence more..

Nov 3 (DN) The Sri Lankan Sevens team went down fighting to formidable South Korea by 12 points (1 goal, 1 try) to 19 (2 goals, 1 try) in the quarter finals of the Cup Championship of the HSBC Asian Rugby Sevens series final leg at the Singapore Cricket Club grounds yesterday after trailing at the breather. The Sri Lankans opened scoring when in the fourth minute Shenal Dias dashed through 50 metres to touch down under the post after receiving a pass from Nigel Ratwatte. Saliya Kumara more..

Nov 3 (Island) Army headquarters yesterday said that the LTTE artillery ‘regiment’ had been its most powerful component comprising at least 30 artillery pierces, including 152 mm (15 units), 130 mm (11), 122 mm (3), 85 mm (1) and one 120 mm mortar. Military spokesman Brig. Ruwan Wanigasooriya said that LTTE artillery had caused heavy losses to troops, particularly on the Vanni front, where some of the bloodiest fighting took place in 2008 and 2009. more..

Nov 3 (BM) With U.S. beef being exported to more than 100 countries across the globe, cattle producers may wonder if any new, untapped markets still remain. This is a question often reviewed by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), especially with ever-changing economic and political circumstances in many destinations. USMEF has been actively marketing U.S. beef in southern Asia for some time, especially in countries belonging to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). more..

Nov 3 (ICP) The day after Sri Lanka was reviewed, in speeches no longer than 72 second each, in the UNHRC's Universal Periodic Review process, ICP asked Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's deputy spokesman Eduardo Del Buey about the long delayed report into the UN's own actions and inaction in Sri Lanka in 2009, and whether it will be public. Del Buey said it is not finished; he did not answer if it will be made public, as was a similar report on the UN's actions and inactions in more..

Nov 3 (AT) The United States, in a statement referring to the impending impeachment of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake on Friday, was in fact expressing its concern that this South Asian nation's administration is on its way of making the nation's judiciary a captive branch. In saying "We urge the Govt of Sri Lanka to avoid any action that would impede the efficacy and independence of Sri Lanka’s judiciary", the State Department more..

Nov 3 (Island) In its continuous mission to lead Sri Lanka’s ICT transformation across the island Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel opened its second regional contact centre in Mullaitivu recently. This is the second regional contact centre opened by Mobitel, with the first being opened early this year at Sooriyawewa in Hambantota. As the National Mobile Service Provider, Mobitel remains consistent in its commitment towards the development of ICT in rural areas of Sri Lanka. more..

Nov 3 (Island) Newly appointed President of the Organization of Professional Association (OPA) Benedict Ulluwishewa said that the grouping would soon initiate a dialogue on the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. Now that the OPA had called for abolition of the 13th Amendment, it would be important to discuss an alternative mechanism to the hotly disputed piece of legislature, said Ulluwishewa, an engineer by profession, who has held several key positions in the public sector as General more..

Nov 3 (DN) Eminent members of the legal fraternity were of the opinion that the impeachment motion against the Chief Justice now handed over to the Speaker is totally justifiable, and above board. Gomin Dayasiri, Attorney-at-law said that in the same way that an average citizen complains to the police if harmed in any way, the govt, when wronged, has the right to petition the legislature (Parliament) to obtain redress. He said more..

Nov 3 (Island) The heavy rains experienced during the last few days would not lead to an increase in the number of dengue patients, the spokesman for the Health Ministry said. He said the heavy rains may have washed away larvae and the eggs of the Aedes mosquito, which spreads dengue. Intermittent showers worsened the situation as rain water collected in various places allowing the dengue mosquito to breed, the spokesman said. Over 35,000 dengue cases have been reported more..

Nov 3 (Island) The DPF says that all Tamil political parties have arrived at a consensus on enhanced devolution through the 13th Amendment and the ball was now in the govt’s court. Deputy President of the DPF Dr. Kumar Guruparan said that the govt could not go against the consensus reached among the Tamil political parties, who had accepted the 13th Amendment, with EPDP Leader Douglas Devananda, who is a Cabinet Minister, going to the extent of talking about a 13 Amendment Plus. more..

Nov 3 (LBO) Ceylon Tobacco Company, a unit of British American Tobacco has gone to the court of appeal against new labeling rules by the health ministry which requires graphic labeling. "Given that the matter is before court and the outcome of the same is uncertain, we cannot assess and therefore comment on the potential consequences of or effects thereof on the company's future prospects at this point in time," more..

Nov 3 (DM) A parliamentary motion to impeach Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake was presented to the Speaker on Thursday, marking a dangerous stage for democracy and the separation of powers which have carried Sri Lanka through trials and tribulations, bloody insurrections and war since independence. The presentation of the motion coincided with the Supreme Court’s second ruling on the controversial Divi Neguma Bill amid speculation that the judgment would not be more..

Nov 3 (DM) Gone with the wind is the lofty Olympic motto, “When the One Great Scorer comes to write against your name He writes not whether you won or lost but how you played the game”. This motto and motive carried sportsmen and women to legendary heights enabling them – as Mahatma Gandhi wished – not only to fly like birds or swim like fish but more importantly to walk like human beings. They not only talk the talk, but also walk the walk as men and women with great qualities and more..

Nov 3 (ST) Will “green energy” be produced after destroying valuable forest cover at Amarawewa adjacent to the Yala National Park, is the rallying cry of environmentalists who have taken up arms against a major project to grow gliricidia in the midst of elephant, bear and leopard country in the South. With growing concerns over the serious repercussions of clearing forest cover, moves are underway by environmentalists to more..

Nov 3 (Island) Wildlife Conservation officers and the Sigiriya police yesterday arrested five treasure hunters who had blasted a rock, at the Sigiriya reserve, in a bid to recover King Kashyapa’s crown believed to have been buried there. Some explosives, water pumps, food, clothing and excavation equipment the treasure hunters had smuggled into the jungle were also taken into custody. They had exploded part more..

Nov 3 (CT) The govt’s move to impeach Chief Justice, Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, was justified by former Attorney General and Senior Legal Adviser to the President, Mohan Peiris, who told the 14th Session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the UNHRC that the impeachment of a Chief Justice was provided for in the Sri Lankan Constitution. Responding to numerous criticisms by the delegates at the Session, Peiris elaborated that one third of more..

Nov 3 (DM) The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has decided to amend the Human Rights Commission Act empowering the Commission to file Contempt of Court cases before High Courts against the public officers who did not comply with the Commission’s recommendations, the HRCSL said yesterday. Justice Priyantha Perera, the Chairman of the HRCSL said the prevailing law had restricted the Commission to make recommendations more..

Nov 3 (SL) Fishermen in Galle and Dodanduwa are up in arms against fish traders in the area for selling fish that are brought from Kalmunai and Tricomanlee. Fishermen in Ratgama Wella near the Galle Fort and Dodanduwa Wella claim that they have been deprived of earning a good price for their daily catch, as the fish traders in the area sell fish that are being transported from Kalmunai and Trincomalee daily at a cheaper rate. more..

Nov 3 (NIP) The review of the rights situation in Sri Lanka at the UNHRC in Geneva on Thursday showed the existence of a wide gulf between Sri Lanka and its Western critics. While the Western countries tried to pin Lanka down on specific instances of human rights abuse, the Lankan representative either skirted them or denied the allegations, and dwelt on the overall improvement in the situation, especially infrastructural more..

Nov 3 (TOI) Welcome to the land of the Buddha. A breather from most other religious destinations, which, ironically, reel under chaos, Kushinagar - the place where Gautam Buddha breathed his last - is a place where you can pray in peace or simply soak in the beauty of the architectural marvels and the natural surrounding. Situated 51 km east of Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, Kushinagar is one of the four important more..

Nov 3 (DM) The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), which is facing a serious financial crisis, is re-considering whether to continue supplying fuel to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and Private Power Providers (PPP) if they do not settle at least a part of their bills, Minister Susil Premjayantha said. He said the CEB and the PPP have not paid for the fuel purchased during the past 10 months. However, Minister Champika more..

Nov 3 (Island) Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya has responded positively to several suggestions by the UNP including the updating of electoral registers on a daily basis with a view to maintaining a proper count of the voters in the country. Informed sources told The Island that the UNP proposals had been made by a UNP delegation headed by Ranil Wickremesinghe at a meeting with the Elections Commissioner more..

Nov 3 (AD) The body discovered near a road in the Bangalahatha area in Nanu Oya last Wednesday has been identified as the brother-in-law of TNA MP Selvam Adaikalanathan. TNA MP and TELO leader Adaikalanathan said that he identified the body today and that it was his brother-in-law, who had been missing since Tuesday. Sinnathurai Indreswaran, 53, was reported missing since October 30 after he had left his more..

Nov 3 (Hindu) The ordeal of five innocent fishermen, who were arrested in Sri Lankan waters in November last year, continues. There is a shift in venue though: the five, along with three other fishermen, were shifted to the city’s Welikada prison, ahead of their hearings in the Colombo High Court. “Their first hearing was today. It will again come up on November 20,” said Arulanandam, fishermen’s cooperative leader, who has been following the case, over phone from Ramanathapuram. more..

Nov 3 (AHRC) Under the present circumstances and under the 1978 constitution, when the president does not want the Chief Justice, the president just tells them to get out and go home. The way he does it is called impeachment proceedings. Once the president decides to file such proceedings - he has a two thirds majority in parliament - the victimized person has no real option. His or her fate is sealed and the only options open are to resign and go away, as Chief Justice Nevil Samarakoon, more..

Nov 3 (PTI) Key UPA constituent DMK today reiterated its opposition to India imparting training to Sri Lankan defence personnel on its soil, saying the state is also part of the country. "According to information I received, (they )-the Centre - said (they) won't give them training in Tamil Nadu and it will be done somewhere else. I say, Tamil Nadu is also India," DMK chief M Karunanidhi told reporters when asked about the matter. more..

Nov 3 (CT) In 2008, your columnist was in New York for Super Tuesday as well as the day Obama won the election. On Super Tuesday, Obama was still a candidate, battling the Clintons and others within his own party to secure his candidature. Later that year, when CNN called the election just after 11pm, there wasn’t a single person in Times Square (and there were thousands) your columnist encountered who didn’t have tears in their eyes, dancing around wildly and shouting themselves hoarse. more..

Nov 3 (DM) The Executive Committee of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has decided to meet Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa in order to discuss the impeachment motion against the Chief Justice. The BASL in a statement today, while expressing their grave concern over the present developments regarding the issue states the decision to meet the Speaker was made during a special meeting held yesterday. An official of the BASL stated they have already written to the Speaker, requesting more..

Nov 3 (FT) The structure of the Budget has a fundamental imbalance, says UNP MP Eran Wickramaratne, sharing his views on the forthcoming Budget. The former banker and corporate executive points out that nearly 40% of the country’s Budget is in three ministries controlled by members of the Rajapaksa family. He further notes that the country is spending nearly 90% of the revenue only on debt services, adding that the Govt more..

Nov 3 (CT) Rajapaksha Regime, through its parliamentarians, handed over an impeachment motion to the Speaker, the elder brother of the President Rajapaksha against the first woman Chief Justice of the country. It appears that the Govt of Sri Lanka is in a mighty hurry to “get rid of the Chief Justice” so that a major obstacle for government’s capricious track is removed. With the handing over of the impeachment, the govt has signaled to the entire public service more..