Jan 14 (DN) Sri Lanka has recorded a per capita income of US Dollars 2,000 having a per capita carbon emission of less than 1 MT. Sri Lanka accords pride of place to environment protection. We have always been an eco-friendly country, Western Provincial Council Minister Udaya Gammanpila said. He was addressing a symposium attended by Executive Director and Co- Founder of “Earth Hour” Andy Ridley, at the Lakshman Kadirgamer Center on January 7. more..

Jan 14 (Island) The Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital in Kotte is in debt to the tune of Rs. 500 million to the Medical Supplies Division (MSD), Water Board, State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC), Contractors and Wickremaratne Food Suppliers. Amidst the mounting financial crisis, the hospital has restricted its employees’ overtime payments. Despite the crisis, insiders alleged that unnecessary expenditure in constructing more..

Jan 14 (KT) Colombo seems to be enacting a scene from Islamabad’s yesteryears. The sacking of a top judge in Sri Lanka has parallels with the constitutional crisis that ripped Pakistan and resulted in chaos and misgovernance. Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake’s dismissal is being contested tooth and nail by the judicial community, and is likely to act as a source of political instability in the days and weeks to come. The presidential decree to oust her was taken on the merits of impeachment more..

Jan 14 (IE) I have become a memory keeper because I was born wedged between the sunset of one era and dawn of another. Existing between eras is to live in a liminal space where people forget to keep records because they are eager to forget the past and move on to the future. I keep memories for posterity,” says Sri Lankan artist Anoli Perera as she prepares to install her work at Shrine Empire Gallery in Delhi. The Delhi-based artist’s debut solo in India, the show titled “Memory Keeper” more..

Jan 14 (IL) The national function ‘Abhises Abhiman’ to present letters of appointment to trainee graduates who were recruited to govt service in 2012 was held under the patronage of the President Rajapaksa at Sugathadasa Stadium today (12). Under this programme all graduates who have completed one year’s training are being provided permanent employment in the govt sector. By doing so the govt has created a record by more..

Jan 14 (DN) The Construction, Engineering services, Housing and Common Amenities Ministry has planned to construct 40,117 houses this year at a cost of Rs. 9,650 million, with the assistance of the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA). This was revealed at the NHDA district managers monthly progress review meeting at the Pelawatata Machinery Training Institute in Battaramulla. The meeting was held under the patronage of Minister Wimal Weerawansa. more..

Jan 14 (DM) The Lawyers Collective in a statement categorically reiterated that Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake remains the Chief Justice, notwithstanding being unconstitutionally removed. It also said that “We salute her for her courage, leadership and steadfastness in facing one of the most unreasonable and irrational inquiries ever faced by a person holding such an exalted office of the Head of Judiciary in a democratic country. The full statement: President Rajapaksa's more..

Jan 14 (Island) Former UNP Cabinet Minister and MP for Wennappuwa Festus Perera passed away yesterday morning at a private hospital in Colombo. Perera (83), a lawyer by profession, was the husband of former MP Mrs. Larine Perera. He was also the father of current UNP MP Niroshan Perera. He first entered parliament in 1965. After being unseated in the 1970 general election, Perera was re-elected in 1977 and more..

Jan 14 (Island) Indian High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha thanked the All Ceylon Hindu Congress, Vivekananda Society of Colombo and Ramakrishna Mission for taking the lead in celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda in Sri Lanka. High Commissioner Kantha highlighted special links of Swami Vivekananda with Sri Lanka, which he visited thrice. Addressing the launch of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations recently, at Vivekananda Hall, Colombo, more..

Jan 14 (DN) The Hindus of Sri Lanka, together with their fellow believers in South Asia, celebrate the important Thanksgiving and Harvest Festival of Thai Pongal today, President Rajapaksa said. “Taking its name from the first day of the month of Thai, this festival is traditionally dedicated to the offering of thanks to the Sun God - Surya, for all the blessings received for a successful harvest. “The Thai Pongal festival which brings new life to the Hindu community is a unique festival for them. more..

Jan 14 (Island) CJ Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake’s official position, regarding her impeachment and being served notice of removal from office, would be known today, a source close to her defence team said last night. He also said that while the CJ would make her position known today, the position of the legal community would be known tomorrow. Asked whether she had vacated her official residence, the source more..

Jan 14 (Island) Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa says that he had been suffering during the recent past under the burden caused by the lacuna and shortcomings in the provisions of the Constitution. He said that the ongoing crisis between the judiciary and the legislature could not be solved without amending the Constitution. "The JRJ Constitution is full of errors which leads to crisis situations among the three organs of the state, namely, the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. more..

Jan 14 (DM) In the back drop of the removal of Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake from her post, the UNP is planning discuss with other opposition political parties to decide on a course of counter action. UNP General Secretary Tisssa Attanayake said that his party would have discussions with other parties shortly on the situation and decide on a course of action. Mr. Attanayake who lashed out at the govt for the removal of the Chief Justice from her post, said it was an unconstitutional move. more..

Jan 14 (Island) CJ Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake was served with a letter of dismissal, signed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, yesterday. The letter, dismissing her from office immediately, was hand delivered to the CJ, at her official residence situated at the corner of Wijerama Mawatha and Bauddhaloka Mawatha before noon yesterday. A presidential Secretariat media release said that the measure was taken more..

Jan 14 (DM) Despite the democratic principles dictated and safeguarded by the Constitution, Sri Lankan political culture seems to be one that is empowered by gun-power more than the power of people. As ominous as it may sound, politicians do breed their private underworlds and metamorphose themselves into thugs in the process. This trend however, that passed through many eras, should be discontinued immediately; for it has caused enough damage to the country already. more..

Jan 14 (DM) Rizana Nafeek commanded newspaper headlines and editorial comments on several occasions for tragic reasons. She was an innocent damsel from a rustic rural locale who became the victim of her own pitiful circumstances. She was brutally condemned to death and savagely executed by a rigid system of justice abominably lacking in human considerations. She symbolizes the wretched circumstances in which the economically challenged and downtrodden segment of this country more..

Jan 14 (SL) The Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict recently adopted the ‘Draft Conclusions on the situation of children and armed conflict in Sri Lanka’ thereby removing Sri Lanka from the list of parties, which is found to recruit and use children in conflict. A statement released by the External Affairs Ministry, and given wide publicity by the local media last month stated that Sri Lanka’s more..

Jan 14 (CG) The UNP will boycott the parliament council meeting headed by Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa which will select the new Chief Justice tomorrow. UNP MP John Amaratunga said that UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is one of the council members will not attend the meeting. The council is to select the new CJ from three nominees after former CJ Shirani Bandaranayake was sacked by the President. more..

Jan 14 (CT) Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, P.B. Abeykoon tendered an unqualified apology yesterday to trainee graduates who were left standing at the awards ceremony at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium on 12 January where 50,000 appointment letters were to be presented by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Abeykoon said all 50,000 appointees were invited for the Presidential function at the stadium, more..

Jan 14 (Island) Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said that the image of the Health Ministry had been shored up by 50% during the 30 months he held the portfolio. It was now the bounden duty of all staff to work in unity to upgrade the standards, he added. Any Ministry, organization or institute might get awards for their excellence. The best award was the public approval of any Ministry. So the public assurance was more important than more..

Jan 14 (Island) A rice mill owner succumbed to injuries he sustained when a group of persons, working for a company that supplies food and other items to the army, mercilessly assaulted him at Bogahayaya, Ruwanpura on Saturday night. The mill owner, was assaulted by ten persons, who arrived in a defender and a pajero bearing identical registration numbers. He succumbed to his injuries after admission to the Padaviya hospital. more..

Jan 14 (CI) Some images stick more readily in the mind than others. Among this summer's most indelible sights have been an exhausted and exasperated Peter Siddle on his haunches in Adelaide, Ricky Ponting bowing graciously to the WACA ground at the end of his Test career, and Michael Hussey barely able to contain his glee when carried from the SCG by Siddle and Mitchell Johnson at the conclusion of his. more..

Jan 14 (ST) With parents abandoning children violating the child’s rights and the growing number of such cases due to family disputes and domestic violence, authorities are under pressure to reintegrate families, NCPA Chairman Anoma Dissanayake said. She said during the three-decade conflict, Sri Lanka saw many orphans, but today, the country is seeing more abandoned children due to family disputes, domestic more..

Jan 14 (OU) TNA Jaffna district MP Sivaganam Sritharan said, his office was suddenly cordoned and the explosive drama staged by govt is a systemized conspiracy. Sritharan was queried about the incident of explosives including pornographic CDs from Sritharan MPs office on Saturday he made the above statement. He said, a team of 50 persons suddenly cordoned my office on Saturday located at Kilinochchi more..

Jan 14 (ST) Canada has called on the Sri Lankan govt to respect the country's constitution and the independence of its judiciary. While expressing deep concern over the recent removal of the Chief Justice, Prime Minister Stephen Harper in a statement said the issue would be addressed at the next meeting of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group. The statement issued yesterday said that 'Canada was deeply concerned by more..

Jan 14 (Island) A meteorite that recently landed close to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, has been described as the most important scientific discovery in the last 500 years, as it carried "compelling evidence of life" from outer space. The scientists who discovered the contents of the meteorite said, "We report here the first compelling evidence for life existing outside the earth." Following extensive lab work in the UK and more..

Jan 14 (CT) Friday 11 January, or Black Friday, as dubbed by the lawyers, truly ushered in a black and bleak period for Democracy in Sri Lanka, sounding the death knell for rule of law and the rights of the people. The greater tragedy is the death knell was sounded, not by a military junta or a foreign force, but the people’s representatives, who, when they first came to the House of Parliament, the Great Temple of Democracy, took the sacred oath to ‘uphold, preserve and defend the Constitution more..

Jan 14 (CT) Yesterday, the chief justice was impeached through a process that was a sham. I say it is a sham not because I am a legal expert. I say it is a sham because the process looked petty and vengeful to any ordinary person who is not on the pay of the government. An event the day before, where I was verbally abused and physically threatened by govt goons for wanting to attend an opposition rally for the purpose, personified to me the pettiness and more..

Jan 14 (Island) In a message to mark the Thai Pongal, the All Ceylon Hindu Congress said that the Tamil people, while welcoming Thai Pongal, have expectations and hopes, that they would soon be able to restart their lives with freedom and self-respect. Full text of the message: "Thai Pongal falls on the first day of the Month of Thai (14). This is one of the most important festivals for Hindus and is traditionally dedicated to worshipping of the Sun (God Surya) more..

Jan 14 (CT) Commonly violence is defined as the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual against oneself, another person or against a group or community that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, mal-development, or deprivation (Krug, Dahlberg, Mercy, Zwi& Lozano, 2002). Political violence refers to acts of violence undertaken to further the political objectives. Violence is a common means more..

Jan 14 (DM) Thai Pongal is a “Thanks giving ceremony” celebrated by farmers in particular to thank the nature spirit- the sun- and farm animals for bringing prosperity in agriculture with plentiful harvests. They venerate and thank the Sun God – the nature spirit and offer the first part of the produce in the form of cooked rice. They do not forget to make this an occasion to thank the farm animals who contribute to the prosperity of agriculture in a big way. more..

Jan 14 (LT) Despite the announcement removing Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake from her position had been made available to her, she is not prepared to give up her position state reliable sources. After receiving the letter signed by the President stating that she had been removed from the position of chief justice, Dr. Bandaranayake has sent a letter, as the Chief Justice, through her lawyers to the IGP asking him to strengthen her security. It is reported that she has more..

Jan 14 (CT) President Mahinda Rajapaksa is planning to reshuffle the Cabinet within the next few days, govt sources said. President Rajapaksa has decided to reshuffle the ministers and deputy ministers on Friday (18). A few ministerial portfolios and deputy posts would be changed, while a number of young MPs are to be absorbed as deputy ministers. However, despite several discussions, the govt is yet to decide on the changes to the Prime Minister’s post. more..

Jan 14 (ST) Mohan Peiris, a former Attorney General and currently Legal Adviser to the Cabinet of Ministers has been nominated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to be the next Chief Justice. His name has been submitted to the Parliamentary Council headed by Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa under the 18th Amendment to the Constitution that replaced the Constitutional Council (17th Amendment) which vets names of more..

Jan 14 (AHRC) It has been reported that the name of Mohan Peiris has been proposed as one of the names for the office of Chief Justice by the Sri Lankan govt. If the role of the chief justice is to be that of a stooge of the government perhaps there is hardly anyone more suited to the post that Mr. Peiris. The proposal of Mr. Mohan Peiris belies the govt's argument that the reason to move for an impeachment against Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake was on the issue of integrity. more..

Jan 14 (NS) Sri Lanka’s shuttle star Niluka Karunaratne is to leave the island today for Malaysia to compete in one of world’s prestigious badminton tournament, Malaysian Super Series. The tournament has attracted world’s best shuttlers from around 40 countries and scheduled to commence on January 16 to close on January 20. Niluka is lavishly sponsored by McLarens Group of Companies distributors of ‘Mobil’ Lubricants in Sri Lanka. Niluka says that this year is going to be one of the more..

Jan 14 (AD) Despite being served notice of removal from the office of CJ, political sources say Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake has no intention of leaving the post and has even called on police to tighten her security. It is said that she has requested for heightened security, as the “Chief Justice,” in a letter addressed to the IGP via her attorneys. Sources say that Bandaranayake has decided not to vacate her post, as the Supreme Court has more..

Jan 14 (ST) Ven. Walawahengunuwewe Dhammarathana Thera who was the acting chief incumbent and guardian of the Mihinthale Rajamaha Viharaye was appointed the chief incumbent of the temple. This appointment was made by the Malwatte Chapter Mahanayake, Ven. Thibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera, and accepted by the Buddhist Affairs Commissioner General, Chandraprema Gamage. The appointment makes Ven. Dhammarathana Thera the chief more..

Jan 14 (DN) The death toll from floods, earth slips, lightning activity and other mishaps in the wake of torrential rains countrywide rose to 52. The number affected by inclement weather, rose to 137,776. A total of 503,406 persons from 137,019 families have been affected by floods, landslides and strong winds caused by recent heavy rains. The number of evacuation centres rose to 71 and 7,409 persons from 1,970 families are sheltered in evacuation centres, the sources said. more..