Aug 12 (Island) Weliweriya exposed the ruthlessness of the Rajapaksa regime and the incompetence of the Sri Lankan govt. Weliweriya was the first to experience and expose this double whammy, but it won’t be the last. The regime is shocked, but it is not sorry. The teflon President has expressed nothing except the painted smile. The apologists, commissioned and freelance, have invented evidence of provocation from the protesters that in turn provoked the apparently more..

Aug 12 (CT) A private dinner for a small group of people will be hosted on Saturday, at 6:30 PM by TNA supporters in Toronto for TNA MPs Mr. R. Sampanthan and Mr. M.A. Sumanthiran. The venue is the Toronto Don Valley Hotel. The cost of attendance? A minimum contribution of $500 per head. The goal? $100,000 towards the provincial council election campaign fund of the TNA. To be successful, this so called “small group” must therefore include about 200 people. more..

Aug 12 (NS) MP and General Secretary of the EPDP Douglas Devananda says the implementation of the 13th Amendment holds the solution to the ethnic question, and to issues pertaining to livelihood and land issues in the North. In an interview to The Nation, Devananda speaks of the issues that are faced by the people of the Northern Province and how he sees the upcoming Northern Provincial Council polls. more..

Aug 12 (ST) Tourist earnings are expected to make a significant contribution towards bridging the large trade gap this year. The tourist industry has faced severe setbacks and reversals in the past. This must not be allowed to happen again. It is important to ensure that conditions in the country are conducive to increasing earnings from tourism. Security conditions, law and order and competitive prices are important in ensuring the growth of tourism that is making an increasingly significant more..

Aug 12 (Island) Lakshman Kadirgamar, one of Sri Lanka’s illustrious sons, is honoured posthumously today. His statue which was lying in a crate for years in the backyard of an institution named after him has been taken out, dusted and installed at long last—eight years after his untimely demise. Better late than never! Oxford honoured its outstanding alumnus, Kadirgamar, while he was alive. His portrait was unveiled at the Oxford Union on March 18, 2005 a few months before his tragic end. more..

Aug 12 (Island) Today is when the statue of Lakshman Kadirgamar is being finally unveiled and we owe our thanks to those who have finally agreed to the erection of the statue at the Institute aptly named after him, this was indeed long overdue. Though thirteen years have gone by since the murderous LTTE assassinated this great son of Sri Lanka, he is yet remembered with gratitude by the people of our country for what he achieved more..

Aug 12 (ST) Residents and business establishments in Dehiwela area have been experiencing frequent power failures, sometimes five times a day since the change in ministers some time back. During the tenure of the former minister power supply in this area was smooth and CEB personnel was managing and maintaining the electricity supply efficiently. Since late it has deteriorated to such an extent last month two whole working days was lost to business establishments as unannounced more..

Aug 12 (Island) A young economist has warned that unless Sri Lanka created a level playing field for small and medium enterprises (SME) more productive jobs, particularly for the youth, achieving a sustainable growth rate of 8% or more would not be possible. "Inclusive growth is not only a good idea from a moral and ethical standpoint - but from a practical perspective too. If you don’t have more people productively employed, it restricts growth. Sri Lanka can’t get to the 8% plus that we are more..

Aug 12 (Island) Sri Lanka has high trade deficits. And, instead of shrinking, they are increasing over the years. Current govt policy, based on import substitution, will not be able to solve this serious problem. A country has a trade deficit when it is buying more than it is selling. A household that buys more than it earns (by selling labour), will need to borrow to bridge the gap. It can’t just keep borrowing, because debtors come to collect more..

Aug 12 (MoD) Secretary Defence and Urban Development Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared open the Buddha Statue, placed inside the newly constructed 'Viharaya' of the Madugeta Jayantharamaya in Neluwa last Morning (9). He was warmly welcomed by the people of the area and was accompanied to the temple in a colorful procession. Venerable Bellawa Jinarathana Thero presided over the religious activities during the function. Speaking at the event the Secretary Defence said more..

Aug 12 (ST) A Sri Lankan-led group involved in the travel industry in Australia has branched out to Sri Lanka based on the growing economic demands for travel and tourism in the country. Ajith Perera, Chairman of ABC Group, Australia, said that in the wake of this boom in the tourist industry, he decided to stretch the company wings to Sri Lanka and has launched the ‘Go Travel’ agency. The local agency won’t confine its services to travel related matters but also help people with various more..

Aug 12 (ST) Dipped Products Ltd (DPL), whose factory at Weliweriya has been closed on a govt ruling until cleared of tests that its industrial waste was not polluting ground water, was scrambling this week to convince overseas buyers to stay with the company until the issues are sorted out. DPL officials, vehemently denying that their factory was responsible for contaminated water, said they were losing valuable orders and more..

Aug 12 (FT) The export sector will come to the spotlight in November as a comprehensive exhibition will be held parallel to the CHOGM. Organised by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), the Board of Investment (BoI) and the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, the exhibition will be held from 13 to 17 November at the Janakala Kendraya, Battaramulla. It will have 300 stalls showcasing some of the the country’s leading export products as well as those with high potential. more..

Aug 12 (Island) Deshamanya General J. E. D. Perera, VSV D Litt (Honoris Causa), FCMI (UK) FImgt (SL) ndc, psc, former Commander of the Sri Lanka Army passed away yesterday, in Colombo, at the age of 83 years. Joseph Everard Denis Perera was born in Colombo on October 10 1930. He was educated at St Peter’s College, Colombo where he excelled in the academic field whilst proving to be an outstanding sportsman, particularly in Athletic, Rugby and Tennis. more..

Aug 12 (CT) The National Electricity Consumer Movement (NECM) has charged that consequent to the dysfunctional state of the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant (NCCP), the cost of a unit of electricity is as much as Rs 30, whereas, the previous cost was only Rs 9.50. Secretary of the NECM, Bandula Chandrasekera, said following the breakdown of the coal power plant, the CEB had to purchase electricity from the thermal plant to more..

Aug 12 (GDI) Over 2.5 million visitors have arrived to see the new South Port by Sunday evening since it was opened to the public on August 8. People were also allowed to use their own mode of transport or use the shuttle service provided free of charge by SLPA.'Despite the shuttle bus services provided by the SLPA, due to the huge interest expressed by the public and the large numbers arriving from all parts of the country, people were also allowed to walk into the site and more..

Aug 12 (CT) Private buses are being used for the election campaigns of the upcoming provincial election in the Central Province, Lanka Private Bus Owners Association (LPBOA), alleged. LPBOA President, Gemunu Wijeratne said they had already informed the Commissioner General of Elections, Mahinda Deshapriya, about election laws being violated by certain contestants who had resorted to using private buses for their election campaigns, adding they intend having a discussion more..

Aug 12 (LBO) SriLankan Airlines is on track to fly direct to China next year as traffic to Colombo picks up. SriLankan is now flying to China via Bangkok, with tourists to Maldives being a key contributor to filling seats. But direct traffic to Sri Lanka has been picking up. "We expect be able fly direct to China from the next summer schedule," SriLankan's head of commercial G T Jayaseelan said. Chinese tourist arrivals has risen 72.3% more..

Aug 12 (Island) Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that the entire political structure had been so commercialised that politicians, who really worked for the party were forgotten while those who spent lavishly were getting preferential votes. Some media had been claiming that the SLFP was swayed by nepotism and family bandysm in nominating candidates. But, he had never brought any relatives into politics. It was the voter who promoted family bandysm and nepotism in politics, more..

Aug 12 (DN) People's Republic of China Ambassador to Sri Lanka Wu Jianghao acknowledging the active role played by Sri Lanka in the regional and international stage, said Sri Lanka has been using its traditions, culture and wisdom effectively in diplomatic relations with the rest of the world. He said Sri Lanka's contribution in global endeavours and experiences stands far beyond its actual size and population. The ambassador said Sri Lanka, being an island nation, more..

Aug 12 (DM) A security team providing protection to Prince Charles visited Sri Lanka recently to check out the security arrangements for the CHOGM to be held in Colombo in November, a defence official said. He said the security officers had checked out several places in Colombo where Prince Charles was expected to visit during his stay in Sri Lanka. Prince Charles will represent Her Majesty the Queen at the CHOGM in SL. more..

Aug 12 (CT) The pH value (the measurement of the level of acid or alkali in a solution or substance) of drinking water in several areas including Imbulgoda, Ganemulla and Mudungoda in the Gamapaha District reportedly has gone down, test results have revealed. Vice Chairman of the Gampaha Pradeshiya Sabha (PS), Jayantha Mudannayake said that, over and above the areas adjacent to the factory in Rathupaswala, the wells in areas have indicated a reduction of the pH value. more..

Aug 12 (Island) IGP N. K. Ilangakoon yesterday strongly disputed Minister Rishard Bathiyutheen’s assertion that the police had failed to quell violence in the wake of protests launched against a Mosque in the Grandpass area Saturday night. They clashed at a public meeting held in Colombo to discuss ways and means to defuse the situation. The minister demanded that the IGP resign. An irate police chief inquired whether the minister wanted the police to cause a situation similar to that of Weliweriya. more..

Aug 12 (Stuff) Fonterra is top news in Sri Lanka with one newspaper saying New Zealand milk was "not fit for consumption" and describing the company as behaving like a "stereotypical multinational". Other coverage however points to a fierce battle for milk share in Sri Lanka and a potentially incompetent milk-testing regime. Sri Lanka has ordered a recall of two batches of milk powder over a possible contamination more..

Aug 12 (CT) The controversial Sinhala Buddhist association, Ravana Balaya, yesterday disassociated itself from the attack inflicted on a mosque in the Grandpass area on Saturday. Convener of the Ravana Balaya, Ven. Ittakande Saddhatissa Thera, however stressed the Buddhists in the area have ‘an issue’ as a new mosque had been built when there already is a mosque in the area. The Ven. Thera added his organization does not condone the use of violence. more..

Aug 12 (Island) Certain batches of Fonterra milk products withdrawn from the market have been stored in warehouses, according to the company. A senior Health Ministry said that under no circumstance should such products ever reach the market again. The Ministry had instructed Fonterra, Maliban and Diamond to withdraw the tainted packets of milk powder from the market, the official said. Fonterra Managing Director Leon Clement yesterday said that on the instructions of more..

Aug 12 (Island) Muslim politicians representing the UPFA called upon the govt to take tangible action against those responsible for Saturday’s attack on a mosque in the Grandpass. Close on the heels of Muslim politicians’ warning, the US Embassy in Colombo expressed concern over the attack. The embassy said: "This incident is particularly troubling in light of a number of recent attacks against Muslims in Sri Lanka. more..

Aug 12 (DM) The attack on a mosque in Grandpass on Saturday, the day after the Muslim community celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr and the night-long police curfew declared to defuse the high tension, once again underlines the need for the leaders of all religions to act urgently and effectively to bring about an inter-religious dialogue at the highest level. Last Saturday’s calamity came just 10 days after the Weliweriya horror where people asking for clean water were attacked and has led to more..

Aug 12 (DM) For businesses to grow and achieve maximum potential, their customer base also needs to grow. No business organisation, large or small, can afford to leave out anybody who is a potential customer. Already an estimated 25% of Sri Lanka’s population, more throughout the world, find their movements much restricted as a result of various debilitating conditions, including short-term injuries or chronic ailments - such as a broken leg or asthma. more..

Aug 12 (DN) Sri Lanka's tourism sector needs over US$ 3.5 billion in investment to build the required 40,000 rooms to cater to the anticipated 2.5 million tourists in 2016.The main contribution will be made by Shangri-La Colombo, Hyatt Regency, Movenpick, Sheraton, Marino Sands Hotel, ITC Hotel and Suncity Business Hotel and others in this regard. Currently,Colombo is only equipped with 2,000 five star rooms which more..

Aug 12 (DM) Villagers in Noori, Deraniyagala yesterday demanded that immediate action be taken against police officers who were in charge of the Deraniyagala Police division during the reign of terror that lasted for over a decade, stating that until such action was taken they could not trust the police. Speaking at a meeting held at the Basnagala Tamil Vidayalaya, attended by SP Anuruddha Rupasinghe, more..

Aug 12 (ST) Several months after the controversy ended over imported milk powder, the issue has reached boiling point again, leaving people bemused and confused. The Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) states categorically that Dicyandiamide (DCD) was found in random samples of four imported brands, while the two local brands tested negative. The milk in three of the imported brand samples had been manufactured in more..

Aug 12 (SL) The photograph of a grieving mother as she looks on her young son lying in a coffin has been imprinted in everyone’s memory- the terrible aftermath of what people are already calling ‘Black Thursday’ when the military opened fire on protesters in Weliweriya, killing at least three people. As the island watched the events unfold in horror, The Sunday Leader turned to civil society, lawyers and politicians from the area to hear more..

Aug 12 (DN) The country will receive several benefits from the Business Forum to be held on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November this year, Minister G.L. Peiris said in Katugampola over the weekend. He was addressing the meeting of the Katugampola Balamandalaya at the residence of Petroleum Industries Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa. more..

Aug 12 (Island) The insulin intolerance level in children adults in Sri Lanka has gone up to 11 per cent, according to the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), which has decided to present eight proposals, on food safety and the Health Ministry’s role, to President Mahinda Rajapaksa soon. GMOA president Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya yesterday told The Island that the eight proposals were of crucial importance. more..

Aug 12 (GDI) The train service from Colombo Fort to Madhu will resume from today for the convenience of pilgrims visiting the sacred Madhu Church for the annual feast. A Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) Spokesman said the Medawachchiya- Madhu rail track destroyed during the war has been re-laid with the assistance of the Indian govt. Accordingly, a trial run was conducted on April 23 after the track the completion of the track. more..

Aug 12 (BBC) A mosque in the Sri Lankan capital has been closed after an attack by a Buddhist mob over the weekend sparked clashes in which five people were hurt. Muslims in Colombo's Grandpass area will now use an older place of worship which has been saved from demolition in a deal struck with the government. But the authorities have also been condemned for failing to make arrests. more..

Aug 12 (Island) Minister Maithripala Sirisena claimed that he had to perform his duties while being surrounded by multinational milk food companies, drug companies, tobacco companies and some corrupt officials in his Ministry. The multinational companies were only interested in profit maximization, he said adding that the products they sold could be hazardous, but the companies were money-motivated. more..

Aug 12 (AAP) Foreign Minister Murray McCully is likely to visit Sri Lanka next week to discuss its controversial ban on 39 tonnes of Fonterra's milk powder. Sri Lanka's Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) reported the powder contained the dangerous fertiliser chemical dicyandiamide (DCD), which Fonterra and New Zealand scientists are disputing. They say ITI doesn't have the technology to test for DCD, tests in New Zealand more..