Jan 5 (FT) The crisis between the Judiciary and the Legislature deepened yesterday, with TNA and DNA MPs vowing to answer Court notice again next week despite Deputy Speaker Chandimal Weerakody’s claim on Thursday that action could be taken against MPs who appeared before the Court of Appeal with reference to the writ application filed by CJ Shirani Bandaranayake. All 11 members of the PSC that probed more..

Jan 5 (CT) If the ruling party members in Parliament continue to act against CJ, Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake by going ahead with the impeachment, they are committing an offence punishable by law, the People’s Movement for Democracy (PMD), claimed. Attorney-at-Law, Karunaratne Herath, said, “The Speaker, as well as others involved in these parliamentary matters, can be removed from their positions, if found guilty of disrespecting the Judiciary by failing to follow more..

Jan 5 (Island) The Council of Legal Education, which is the administrative body of the Law College, has decided not to interfere with the results of the Law College Entrance Exam 2012, and to proceed with the registrations as scheduled, Principal of the College, Dr. W.D. Rodrigo said. "In view of the representations made and several media reports relating to the Law College Entrance Exam 2012, the Council of Legal Education, vested with the responsibility of the administrations of the more..

Jan 5 (Island) UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa said that there would be a mass uprising if the govt went ahead with the impeachment process to remove CJ Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, regardless of Thursday’s Court of Appeal ruling. Premadasa urged the govt to heed the warning or face the consequences. The Court of Appeal said the steps that had been so far taken and would be taken by a PSC, appointed under Standing more..

Jan 5 (DM) Every crime has a perpetrator. Likewise, every wrong doing has a culprit. And then there are victims, who, in the current Sri Lankan context, are rendered absolutely helpless by the lack of transparency and accountability of the government high heads. Surrendering to the whims and incongruities of the former is clearly an anti-climax for a citizenry that has always prided itself when it comes to appointing the representatives for its governing bodies. more..

Jan 5 (CT) As we moved into 2012, the buzz- word was reconciliation and with it the acronym – understood by too few of our fellow citizens- was LLRC. The LLRC Report had been presented to the president who in turn had sent it to parliament. There was some hope that since the commission had been set up by the president, that he would accept its recommendations in full and get on with the task of implementation. After all this more..

Jan 5 (ST) At least four local underworld gangs assisted the 100 Chinese nationals who were arrested last week in a high-level currency fraud. The Chinese were arrested in a midnight raid on 10 luxury houses spread across the city and suburbs. The gangs found “safe houses” for the Chinese to live and operate from, provided them with transport and protection, and ensured the illegal activities proceeded smoothly. more..

Jan 5 (Island) Cycling from university home through the woods, on a breezy and colourful day in September 1995, in Uppsala Sweden, I was wondering when I could do the same in Sri Lanka; I mean, cycling through a City of University. Since then I drew up a plan; a mega plan of developing a City of Universities in a beautiful landscape. At that time I did not have the least idea of leaving Sri Lanka for good. Thus, I built more..

Jan 5 (Island) Commenting on the controversy over the Law College entrance examination results, the FUTA yesterday claimed that it was another example of politicians abusing the system. FUTA President Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri told The Island that it was unusual that a majority of students from a particular ethnic community had topped the results list of the Law College entrance examination last year, but more..

Jan 5 (Island) Deputy Solicitor General Yasantha Kodagoda said yesterday that it was essential that victims of child abuse should be given legal remedy within a short time span to avoid prolonging cases where the victims were subjected to mental trauma and abuse. It was even more important than imposing the death penalty against child sex offenders. Kodagoda said that the death penalty would not be able to control the more..

Jan 5 (Island) Minister Susil Premajayanth said yesterday that the appointment of the PSC, to probe the conduct of Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake leading to her impeachment, was constituted on the same basis as the PSC appointed to impeach the then Chief Justice Neville Samarakoon in 1984 He was responding to media reports, which gave the Court of Appeal ruling that the PSC’s probe, more..

Jan 5 (LBO) Sri Lanka is entering 2013 with an improving external environment, a stable exchange rate and favourable weather for agriculture, compared to last year, Treasury Secretary P B Jayasundera said. "Though there have been severe floods, the damage has been minimal as far as production activities are concerned," Jayasundera told reporters. "All reservoirs are full. In my judgment water resources that more..

Jan 5 (DM) Minister S.B. Dissanayake said students of private higher education institutions had also requested that they be allowed to participate in the leadership training programme and that they were willing to pay for it. He rejected the allegations made by IUSF convener Sanjeewa Bandara on the leadership training programme and confirmed that leadership training programmes were being held at more..

Jan 5 (LT) The govt should give in to the judgment of the judiciary states the People’s Movement for Democracy (PMD). This was stated at a special press conference held by the PMD at Hotel Nippon today morning. The media conference was addressed by JVP MP Vijitha Herath, Senior Lawyer Karunaratne Herath, Senior Lecturer Chandraguptha Thenuwara, Attorney Sunil Watagala and member of ‘Lawyers’ more..

Jan 5 (CI) Australia tightened their hold on the Sydney Test on the third day and stand an excellent chance of sealing a clean sweep against Sri Lanka. Matthew Wade scored his second Test century in front of a raucous crowd engulfing the venue in a sea of pink on Jane McGrath day, and stretched his team's lead to 138 before Michael Clarke declared. Half-centuries from Dimuth Karunaratne and Mahela Jayawardene gave more..

Jan 5 (DM) Minister Mervyn Silva at a news conference on Friday referred to certain Appeal Court Judges in the bench that announced the Supreme Court determination in a derogatory manner and charged that the decision given by the Court could not be accepted as an unbiased judgment. Minister Silva’s remarks, which are on record, have been withheld by the Daily Mirror from telecasting because of its derogatory more..

Jan 5 (DM) Examinations Department said Attorney General’s advice is being sought at present, to consider the possibility of annulling all exam qualifications of the printing unit personal suspected of being involved in the 2012 O/L science paper leak, if charges against him are proven. Examinations Commissioner W.M.J. Pushpakumara speaking to Daily Mirror said, if AG’s approval is granted, all of the suspect’s exam more..

Jan 5 (DM) The govt is determined to go ahead with the debate on the impeachment motion against CJ Shirani Bandaranayake on January 10 and 11 despite the Supreme Court determination that the PSC is unconstitutional, Daily Mirror learns. It is learnt that in the wake of the court ruling, the govt is seeking an immediate dismissal of the CJ by adopting with a simple majority a resolution based on findings by the PSC. more..

Jan 5 (CT) More than two thirds of the Earth is covered by oceans, giving it the beautiful ‘blue marble’ appearance in images taken from space. However, looks can be very deceptive. Much of the water is not readily accessible: it is either seawater, or frozen in the polar regions. If all the world’s water was reduced to one litre, only two drops represent the freshwater available for human use. And that too is not always in the right place at the right time. Managing the world’s finite freshwater more..

Jan 5 (CT) It was incumbent on the Court of Appeal today, 3 Jan 2013, to rule an order on the writ applications filed by seven petitioners against the impeachment proceedings initiated by the ruling party in Parliament against the CJ on 6 Nov 2012, coinciding with the Supreme Court ruling on the controversial Divineguma Bill. This Bill was initiated by the brother of the President, Minister Basil Rajapaksa. The Supreme Court ruling pointed out major flaws in the Bill in addition to more..

Jan 5 (DBS) Third and Final Part of an Interview with Prof.Rajiva Wijesinha M.P. Q: Some observers of the Sri Lankan situation opine that a creeping Illiberalism is pervading Society at large under the Rajapaksa regime. As a Liberal and an advocate of liberal democracy, are you not perturbed by the erosion of those very values in Sri Lanka? Are you not concerned over the creeping illiberalism? A: Some observers of the more..

Jan 5 (CT) Prior to the autochthonous Constitution of 1972, under Dominion Status granted in 1948 Parliament enjoyed a very limited supremacy. The Monarch of the UK was considered Sovereign. Parliament was vested with the power to make laws for the peace, order and good govt of the Island. Executive power vested in Her Majesty was exercised by the Governor General who was required to exercise such powers in accordance with Constitutional conventions of the UK. more..

Jan 5 (CT) Chandima Weerakkody, Deputy Speaker, has been projecting himself as a constitutional expert in the last few weeks, no doubt to be in the good books of the Mahinda Rajapakse regime. Weerakkody was earlier a staunch supporter of President Chandrika Kumaratunga. He was the person who was behind initiating contempt proceedings against S.B. Dissanayake at the instance of President Kumaratunga. The offending speech by Dissanayake was made at a Vap Magul Ceremony held at Habaraduwa. more..

Jan 5 (CT) “There have been a few tentative steps on accountability for crimes allegedly committed by Sri Lankan troops and civilian officials during the war with the LTTE. President Rajapaksa named a committee to make recommendations to him on the U.S. incidents report by April, and candidate Fonseka has discussed privately the formation of some form of ‘truth and reconciliation’ commission. more..

Jan 5 (OU) A body of a 27 years old young woman from Sandillipai was found in a disfigured state. The body was taken from an abandoned well located in Karainagar two days back. Rasathurai Gajenthiri aged 27 years, was mentally affected went missing last December month 6th and her body was found from the well was stated. The woman was last seen on last month 7th at Karainagar Kalaiyadi junction temple at about 9.00 p.m. People inquired the said woman, but due to contradicting more..

Jan 5 (LT) The working masses in the country should be prepared to be the vanguard of the forces that would drive away the govt that acts ignoring the Constitution states National Trade Union Center (NTUC) adding that it is the responsibility of the working masses to drive away such a regime. The announcement released with the signature of the President of NTUC K.D. Lal Kanthe states: “The Supreme Court, on a reference by the Court of Appeal regarding a petition more..

Jan 5 (CI) Sri Lanka opener Dimuth Karunaratne said his side would target a lead in excess of 150 when they resume their second innings 87 runs ahead and with three wickets in hand, in Sydney on the fourth day. Sri Lanka had moved to within eight runs of wiping Australia's first-innings lead when they lost their second wicket, but five more batsmen fell in the third session to leave the visitors poorly placed. Though the SCG more..

Jan 5 (CI) Jackson Bird walked to the crease at the fall of Australia's ninth wicket without a Test run to his name. He had faced 11 balls in Melbourne and given the general impression that batting was something far more foreign to him than landing the new ball with precision. Here he had the task of shepherding Matthew Wade to his second Test century, while also making a run or two of his own. He punched Rangana Herath for two past cover to make a start, but it was a handsome flick more..

Jan 5 (CT) There were large numbers of animals. Some wearing black coats, some in milk-white national costumes– like parliamentarians. Some were wearing wigs worn by the black-coated gentry, when honored for President’s counseling. There were university academics, artists, journalists etc. Some were the suspected representatives of ‘western imperialists’ or Tiger or NGO outfits, allegedly craving for dollars. There were the pious lot wearing saffron robes, white long gowns, more..

Jan 5 (DBS) In 2013, Sri Lanka will continue to be blessed with a President who is intent on life-long rule and dynastic succession, at whatever cost; and a Leader of Opposition who unfailingly lends that President a helping hand, at crucial junctures. The regime’s decision to boycott the Appeal Court hearing is understandable. Having conducted the most indefensible ‘trial’ in living memory, without even the barest show of more..

Jan 5 (Island) The Ruhuna University administration has suspended two undergraduates following the preliminary investigations into Tuesday’s clash between two student factions. Vice Chancellor Prof. Susirith Mendis told The Island that according to their investigations, those two undergraduates had been directly involved in the clash. "Both of them were 2nd year students of the Management and Finance Faculty," he said. Prof. Mendis said that according to the university regulations, more..

Jan 5 (DM) Following the arrest of a printing unit personal in suspect of an involvement in the 2012 O/L Science paper leak, the Examinations Commissioner said measures are underway to strengthen the security of their printing unit. Commissioner Pushpakumara said the measures will be implemented swiftly, in order to ensure similar incidents of exam confidentiality violations do not recur. Among measures that are to be implemented include the re-installation of a more..

Jan 5 (CT) The Executive Committee of the Samajawadi Janatha Peramuna (Socialist Alliance) which met at the Communist Party office on 1 January has decided that the MPs belonging to the Alliance should not take part in the vote on the impeachment of the Chief Justice. Socialist Alliance sources said that the Communist Party had taken a firm decision not to participate in the impeachment process and more..

Jan 5 (Island) Deputy Transport Minister Rohana Dissanayaka yesterday said that as a result of the imposition of enhanced vehicle import taxes, effective from 2012, the registration of vehicles last year, at the Department of Motor Traffic, had dropped by 25% compared to the previous year. The govt had been compelled to adopt drastic measure to tackle traffic congestion and its programme to reduce the number of vehicles being added to the country’s fleet had been a success, more..

Jan 5 (OU) Jaffna Deputy IGP Erick Perera said, 6 complaints are recorded last week concerning girls raped and sexually abused. He said further 5 complaints are registered in Jaffna and one complaint is recorded in Kilinochchi. A four years old girl from Mandatheevu had been raped and was killed. Regarding this incident none was arrested. A person who had stated that he is from the military intelligence unit was arrested as he was roaming at the incident locality and was interrogated. more..

Jan 5 (Island) The govt could still avoid a head on clash between the legislature and judiciary if the 117 MPs, who signed the Impeachment Motion against CJ Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake, withdrew it, by citing the Supreme Court ruling on the Constitutional interpretation, a former Speaker said. MP Joseph Michael Perera, who functioned as the Speaker from Dec 2001 to Feb 2004, under the UNF govt, said that if the Mahinda more..

Jan 5 (AD) A man who was accused of assaulting and murdering his one-year-old daughter has committed suicide by hanging himself at a residence in Polgasowita. The suspect, serving with the Sri Lanka Navy, was a resident of Moradana, Piliyandala and had fled the area after brutally assaulting his daughter during an argument with his wife. He had then traveled to a house belonging to him in Kahatuduwa Polgasowita and commitrted suicide last night. Residents in the area more..

Jan 5 (CT) Senior Minister Professor Tissa Vitarana, claims that President Rajapakse appointed The CJ’s husband, Pradeep Kariyawasam as Chairman, National Savings Bank at her specific request. This disclosure gives rise to more serious allegations against the Head of State, than the CJ. Very serious questions arise of the following nature, in the wake of the said assertion:(1) Demands such as appointment of family members are generally made only when partiality exists or is on offer. more..

Jan 5 (PTI) Rangana Herath proved news of his death was greatly exaggerated Saturday by bowling and batting for Sri Lanka in the third Sydney Test against Australia. Social media was abuzz overnight with news that the left-arm spinner had been declared dead following a car crash in Sydney with champion fast bowler Chaminda Vaas escaping with an injury. Rumours of Herath's death spread quickly on Twitter, more..

Jan 5 (Island) Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, handed over a cheque for Rs 1.5 million to Minister of Disaster Management Mahinda Amaraweera, at the Ministry of External Affairs. The money was collected for flood relief in Sri Lanka from the Asian expatriate community in the UAE during the tenure of Ambassador Sarath Wijesinghe. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera thanked Minister Peiris and the Sri Lankan Embassy in the UAE for taking the timely effort to help the flood victims. more..