Oct 8 (CT) The TNA has decided on its provincial Ministers for the North after several days of debate and deliberations. Discussions on reaching a consensus on the Ministerial posts lasted for two weeks following a dispute among the constituent parties of the alliance. A decision on the Ministers has now been reached and the new Ministers will take oaths before Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran. more..

Oct 8 (ST) Sri Lanka Development Bonds have lost their “development” title as they are now used to repay maturing loans and cover interest, economists said last week, days after Cabinet authorised a 50% increase in the SLDB issuance limit for this year. On Sept 19, Cabinet approved President Rajapaksa’s proposal to raise the SLDB issuance limit from US$1,500 million to US$2,250 million. Just two months previously, more..

Oct 8 (LT) The youth of the country should be saved from ‘Rajapaksaisation’ says the National Organizer of Socialist Youth Union (SYU) Bimal Rathnayaka. He said this at a media conference held at the head office of the JVP at Pelawatta today (7) to apprise the media regarding the motorcycle tour named “Youths tour for freedom” organized from Colombo to Vavuniya to mark the ‘Che’ day wich falls on tomorrow. more..

Oct 8 (AD) President Rajapaksa today said that Parliament is the best forum to address the issue of the implementation of the 13th Amendment and that members of the Parliamentary Select Committee should engage in dialogue and come up with a solution that is in line with what the people want. He made these comments during a meeting with the Indian Minister of External Affairs Salman Khurshid, at the President’s House more..

Oct 8 (CT) It is a shame that the UNP, which castigates the govt for being 'undemocratic, corrupt, and nepotistic' has failed to lead by example. Its leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, seems to believe that the grand old party is his feudal inheritance. His logic may not be much different from his shrewder counterpart in the govt, Mahinda Rajapaksa, who, on his part, has amended the Constitution of the country, removing the mandatory term limits of the Presidency weakening the more..

Oct 8 (CT) Another contributor to Colombo Telegraph, Kusal Perera, and I have differed on what we consider to be the “self-censorship” practiced by the Sri Lankan media. I subscribe to the belief that those elements of the media not owned by or absolutely controlled by the govt are self-censoring to the point of irrelevance and Kusal interprets the term “self-censorship” differently. However, I don’t expect that either he or any writer to the media who is not, literally, bought and more..

Oct 8 (AD) JHU stated that the present situation is such that there is no opposition to talk about certain issues affecting the country and that an opposition has formed within the ruling govt itself. President of JHU, Ven Athuraliye Rathana thero stated that his party has no need to join the opposition as they are the opposition now. No matter which govt is engaged in wrongdoings the JHU is in the opposition, more..

Oct 8 (LBO) Stocks closed up 0.51% on continued investor interest in tobacco stocks and speculative trading and the rupee fell slightly on importer demand. All Share Price Index closed 29.95 points higher at 5,897.05, up 0.51%, after reaching an intraday high of 5,908.09. The S&P SL20 closed 12.96 points higher at 3,257.34, up 0.4%. Turnover reached 490.34 million rupees, up from 483.77 million rupees the previous day, with shares of 97 firms gaining against 82 losers. more..

Oct 8 (DM) The price of a 400 gramme packet of Maliban milk powder has been increased by Rs. 70 while the price of a 1 kg. packet has gone up by Rs. 185 from last Friday, the Maliban milk powder company said. Accordingly the new price of a 400 gramme packet would be Rs. 395 while a one kg packet would be Rs.995. Company CEO Laksman Weerasuriya said world market prices of one metric tonne of milk powder produced purely from milk has been increased from US$ 3,680 to 5,360. more..

Oct 8 (AD) The UNP alleged that the clash which occurred during a protest in Matara was unnecessarily created due to a certain group carrying out a “govt contract” UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake charged that no arrests have been made in connection to the attack on UNP supporters demonstrating, in support of the UNP leader, and accused the police of acting in a biased manner regarding the incident. more..

Oct 8 (LT) Imperialism is the worst calamity that exists in the world, it should be definitely defeated said the Leader of the JVP Somawansa Amarasinghe adding that it was the lesson Che Guevara taught to all artistes, doctors, engineers and others. The responsibility of carrying the message of anti-imperialism, liberation, equality, independence, solidarity and national unity has fallen on the shoulders of the Socialist Youth Union of the JVP which is the only youth movement more..

Oct 8 (Island) The Applied Sciences Faculty of the South–Eastern University, which was closed following last Thursday’s clash, would re-open next Monday. The university’s Director of Student Support Services and Welfare, senior lecturer, M.A.M. Sameem however said that a decision on the re-opening would be taken at a meeting today. Following the clash between second and third year undergraduates, within the faculty premises in Samanthurai, 23 were hospitalised, while more..

Oct 8 (DM) Sri Lanka will find it very difficult to borrow from abroad in the future due to the Fed’s stimulus tapering that is likely to happen sooner or later, which will pull back the excess liquidity in the global economy, according to a senior economist in the country. The situation will further be apparent given Central Bank’s less accommodative monitory policy, which will have to be adopted going forward. “This means the terms which we can borrow more..

Oct 8 (YP) Yorkshire's second-team coach Paul Farbrace is understood to have been sounded out by Sri Lanka with a view to becoming their new director of cricket. Farbrace is thought to be one of several names in the frame to replace existing coach Graham Ford, who will leave his post in January due to family reasons. Also in contention is said to be Stephen Fleming, the former New Zealand captain and current coach of Chennai Super Kings, who played for Yorkshire in 2003. more..

Oct 8 (LBO) John Keells Holdings has awarded a consortium led by South Korea's Korea's Hyundai Engineering and Construction, a 522 million US dollar contract to build an integrated resort. Hyundai E&C has a 65% stake in the construction consortium (339 million US$), Keangnam Enterprises, another Korean builder 25% (130 million) and the balance by Sri Lanka's Nawaloka, Korea's Yonhap news agency said. The resort is built by Waterfront Properties, a unit of John Keells Holdings. more..

Oct 8 (PTI) India on Tuesday said it would press for the meaningful devolution of powers in Sri Lanka’s provinces to foster a “lasting political settlement” that will ensure equality, justice and self-respect for the Tamil minority. “India is committed to pursuing the full implementation of the 13th Amendment, and building upon it, to achieve a meaningful devolution of powers,” External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said. more..

Oct 8 (AD) Two Cambodian nationals have been arrested by customs officers at the Katunayake International Airport when they attempted to leave the country with a haul of Walla Patta herb. The two suspects were attempting to board a flight to Bangkok, Thailand when they were apprehended last night, Customs Spokesman Leslie Gamini said. He stated that 31 kilograms of the endemic plant, worth around Rs 2,750 million, were found concealed in their luggage. more..

Oct 8 (SM) The credit balance of Sri Lanka Football Federation's bank account has been limited to 100.8 Million Rupees, reports say. According to sources, this is the total amount of savings left in the pockets of Sri Lanka Football. These money has been deposited in the following banks. 6 accounts in Standard Chartered Bank - Rs. 28421223.37. 3 accounts in Hatton National Bank - Rs. 1837710.58. Peoples leasing Co. and Hatton National Bank Fixed Deposits - Rs. 57551846.19 more..

Oct 8 (SM) A person named Thilak aka Hut Putu Thilak who is said to be a coordination secretary of Minster Mervyn Silva has been abducted by an unidentified gang near the Companies house in D.R. Wijewardhana Mavatha around 3.00am today. The Luxury Jeep which he had driven has been found by the Maradana Police stranded near the Companies mansion today morning. The Car keys, a mobile phone more..

Oct 8 (Island) The Public Health Department (PHD), of the Colombo Municipal Council, said that it would write to all star class hotels, restaurants and eating houses in the city, to ensure that all kitchen staff wash their hands at regular intervals to ensure the cleanliness in food preparation. PHD chief Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam expressed concern following the recent detection of faecal coliform in samples of peanuts, which had been taken from the Pettah area. more..

Oct 8 (DM) UNP Provincial Councillor Maithri Gunaratne said he and Provincial Councillor Shiral Lakthilaka had requested for special police security from the Police Chief. Gunaratne said they will meet the IGP this evening to discuss this matter. He said they were attacked and fired upon the protest march held last Sunday in Matara in presence of the police. “We were attacked and fired upon even when police personnel were present at the scene. It was my bodyguards who saved me. more..

Oct 8 (PTI) India played an instrumental role in ensuring the holding of polls in Sri Lanka's Tamil-dominated Northern Province and it must now assist in rebuilding the war-ravaged region, newly elected Chief Minister C V Wigneswaran said today. "Thanks to India, the NPC elections were held. I am here because India almost had a hand in the elections being held when the (Sri Lankan) govet as saying we are not going to have it or we more..

Oct 8 (G&M) PM Stephen Harper has announced that he will not be attending the CHOGM in Sri Lanka, consistent with concerns he expressed on Sri Lanka in the fall of 2011. As he pointed out, this was not an easy decision. Canada was one of the founding nations of the Commonwealth. All govts know and understand that there is a certain diplomatic simplicity in “going along to get along.” No confrontation, no hard feelings. But on this issue, the Commonwealth has sadly taken more..

Oct 8 (CG) UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today briefed the UNP Parliamentary group on the decision to form a Leadership Council for the UNP. At the UNP Parliament group meeting, Wickremesinghe said that he will be meeting with UNP MPs Karu Jayasuiriya and Sajith Premadasa this week to decide on the composition of the members in the Leadership Council. However Premadasa had then informed Wickremesinghe that he will not be available to meet this week more..

Oct 8 (DM) In a 12-hour operation carried out by a team of doctors in the plastic surgery section of the Colombo National Hospital a completely severed penis was successfully rejoined, Unit’s Chief Surgeon Dr. Duleep Perera said. The operation was performed on 27-year-old man, a father of one child. The surgical operation was performed under the supervision of Dr. Duleep Perera and Dr. Dammika Dissanayaka with more..

Oct 8 (CG) Minister Mervyn Silva says most people would not read some newspapers in Sri Lanka if there is no reference to him in the newspaper. Speaking at an event today held to hand over meters for three-wheelers operating in the Keleniya electorate, Minister Silva said that a newspaper sells if there is a story or cartoon of him. “Some people have a Mervyn Silva allergy. You can write what you want and say what you want but you will not able to shake me,” he said. more..

Oct 8 (DM) Two barrels said to contain 50Kgs of wallapatta or sandal wood oil valued at Rs.10 million, were seized by the Customs this morning at the Katunayake cargo terminal. The goods were detected at the time were being prepared for export to Singapore. Customs media spokesman Leslie Gamini said the consignment was declared as two barrels of documents. The raid was conducted by the Customs Bio Diversity Cultural and National Heritage Branch. more..

Oct 8 (LBO) Sri Lanka's Sinhala speakers would soon be able to use Google translate, a tool that allows readers to translation languages into one another, an official said. "The development is being done as we speak," Rohan Jayaweera, country consultant for US-based Google Inc said. "I am sitting in a panel with a number of Googlers across the world where we are refining the algorithm." Jayaweera said. more..

Oct 8 (CI) Wicketleeper-batsman Kaushal Silva's year in domestic cricket began to encroach on the extraordinary, as he struck his fourth first-class ton in as many matches, on the first day of the four-day tri-series in Colombo. His 125 at the P Sara Stadium led the Board XI to 352 for 4 at stumps, against the Development XI, with Kumar Sangakkara also hitting 107. Silva, 27, had top-scored in Sri Lanka's regular first-class competition, and has also hit three centuries in four matches for the Sri Lanka A more..

Oct 8 (DM) The on-going development work in Thalapathpitiya has created a problem for several farmers and residents in the area as they have to grapple with the mud dumped into other lands from the construction sites. Farmers said they were not able to cultivate their fields as this haphazard dumping of mud not only affected the cultivation but also the irrigation system of the paddy fields. Many farmers complained that they were unable to cultivate during the last two seasons more..

Oct 8 (DM) The Colombo Fort Magistrate yesterday issued an arrest warrant against the Chairman of the Co-operative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) for not being present in Court, regarding an inquiry for failing to provide video footage pertaining to the Sathosa building fire which broke out on July 31. However, counsel who appeared for CWE Chairman Eraj Priyantha Fernando in the afternoon, asked Court that more..

Oct 9 (NS) A week ago few outside family circle, teachers and school friends would have heard of Sandaru Balahewa.  Today, if there’s any 10-year-old child whose name is known outside of such domains of acquaintance, it has to be this little boy from Mahinda College, Galle.  Sandaru scored an incredible 198 out of a possible 200 at the Grade 5 Scholarship Exam.  That’s no mean feat and therefore eminently warrants attention and accolades, both of which have been more..

Oct 9 (NS) The Chairman cum Managing Director of LassanaFlora is a doctor who practices western medicine. Dr. Lasantha Malavige, a passionate florist, says that flowers go with his personality, that they help him stimulate the creativity within. Malavige started LassanaFlora while he was still a medical student. Many years after obtaining his doctorate and reading for a PDH in Sexual Medicine, he sees his passion for flowers continue to bloom. LassanaFlora is 15 years old this year more..

Oct 9 (SO) The Postal Services Ministry along with the Postal Department has made arrangements to celebrate the 139th World Post Day on October 9. World Post Day is celebrated each year on October 9, the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Bern. It was declared World Post Day by the UPU Congress held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969. more..

Oct 9 (CT) That was how I started a recent talk to the annual scientific sessions of the College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, held in Colombo in late September. I don’t believe in ghosts and spirits, but I’m interested in how such notions shape people’s behaviour. As literacy and education levels rise, I notice how old demons are being replaced by new, more potent ones. With modernization, fewer Lankans uncritically accept maha sona, mohinee and riri yaka more..

Oct 9 (Island) C. V. Wigneswaran has finally taken oaths as the Chief Minister of the Northern Province before the President Rajapaksa with the Governor of the Northern Province by the side of the President. It is clear that the decision to take oaths before the President has been taken amidst opposition from some members of the TNA. Those members of the TNA who oppose the decision are of the view that the President is a ‘war criminal’, before he was appointed to the present position. more..

Oct 9 (GV) On Monday 7th October, the TNA, the only political party in the country to have comprehensively defeated the UPFA and captured power in the Northern Province, creating the first ever opposition controlled provincial council since the Peoples’ Alliance victory in the Southern Provincial Council in 1993, which also heralded the end of UNP rule an year later, politically reached out and magnanimously decided that it’s more..

Oct 9 (CT) Its official now, Jesuit Pope Francis says “Who am I to judge what these chaps may have been up to long ago?” So, aging Josephians, Benedictines and Peterites can sigh in relief. Nor need vintage Jesuits of celebrity status shrivel till indemnified by the Statute of Limitations. New fads have caught on in the political domain as well; driven by necessity, as rusted formulae die. Political cross-dressing is in vogue, at home and abroad: Mahinda versus Ranil, pray who is right and who is left more..

Oct 9 (CT) Ciudad Constitution is a name unknown to most Peruvians, but this insignificant town-let of around 8,000 people was once destined to be Peru’s magnificent new capital. Few abandoned ‘model houses’ and a functioning highway are the sole relics of that grandiose project, commenced in 1984 by President Belaunde Terry. Bedevilled by financial troubles and corruption charges, the project to build a capital in the jungle was abandoned when its author lost the Presidential election in 1985. more..