Aug 1 (CT) What follows is consequent of a remark made by (Sinhalese) Mr Bradman Weerakoon on 20 June 2014 in the course of a eulogy on his close friend of many years, (Tamil) Mr Duleepkumar. It was, I felt, both eulogy and elegy: “His last years were painful, mentally more than physically, as he took on himself the sad plight of what was happening to his people […] in the North and East.” As Literature teaches us, collective misfortune is finally experienced by individual, more..

Aug 1 (ST) The assurance given by India’s External Minister Sushma Swaraj to her Sri Lankan counterpart Prof G L Peiris recently that India opposed the UN probe on alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka, may have indicated to Colombo that the new dispensation in Delhi wanted better ties with its southern neighbour, looking beyond issues that have dogged the relationship in recent years. That message was reiterated, in different ways, by members of a team of intellectuals with more..

Aug 1 (DM) Significant concerns have been raised over Sri Lankan Internet service providers (ISPs) blocking news-related websites. Currently, there are two ISPs listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange. Blocking of Colombo Telegraph generated much concern, including from the opposition leader and the international press institute, there are many other news, opinion and related websites which are also blocked by Sri Lankan ISPs. more..

Aug 1 (ST) Helen Hughes an Australian economist once said there were only two types of economics: good economics and bad economics. Bad economics is given various tags such as practical economics, home grown economics, pragmatic economics and self-reliant economics to deviate from sound principles of economics. The laws of economics, most of the time, are like physical laws that cannot be contravened even though at times countervailing actions could be taken to more..

Aug 1 (CT) When he addressed the awards ceremony and dinner yesterday on the occasion of the 175th anniversary of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce hosted by the outgoing chairperson of the Chamber, the highly perceptive and articulate Suresh Shah, Mahinda Rajapaksa was a man with a message. Cast your mind back or go back to your records of encounters with Sri Lankan leaders and top officials in the ten years before 2005, he said. Your highest priorities were the cessation more..

Aug 1 (NS) In the history of Sinhala songs, we come across a little girl called Surangi. She is sad and starts to shed tears. A drop of a tear runs to the river and flows to the sea. This teardrop finds its way inside a pearl oyster and, after few years, it turns into a pearl. The pearls are harvested and return to Surangi’s home in the form of a pair of earrings. Seeing the earrings, Surangi is happy. So she smiles. Yet, her father realizes that more..

Aug 1 (NS) The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) recently revealed that an alarming 95% of abuses reported on children are carried out by persons known to them, including their relatives. Children are often victims of abuse, assaults and sexual harassment simply because of the assumption that they do not have a way to voice their problems and their issues. They are innocent, they are vulnerable and they do not suspect the malice behind the smiles of others, because more..

Aug 1 (SL) In my first visit to London in 1971, I was trying to find my way to a particular street, map in hand. I asked an old lady: Could I get to the street through the path across the park? ‘Of course you can Sir, you are free to go any way you want. This is a free country,’ she said with a chuckle. Those were the days when Sri Lankan visitors to England dressed like gentlemen, were polite spoke good English and were treated like gentlemen. I was elated. more..

Aug 1 (CI) Dropped from the Test side after a series of low scores, Dinesh Chandimal was sent to England to join the A squad. He made a difference in his first match on tour, scoring a century and extending Sri Lanka A's winning run on tour. Chandimal's 100 took Sri Lanka to 275 but the Yorkshire batsmen succumbed to spin, losing nine of their ten wickets to the slower bowlers at Headingley and falling short by 26 runs. Chandimal and Danushka Gunathilaka added 101 for the second wicket after more..

Aug 1 (Island) Engineers from Moratuwa and Peradeniya universities have joined hands to synergize collective strength of Sri Lankan engineers across the globe to collaborate and support engineering innovations and research in the country. Moratuwa Peradeniya Engineers Reunion was formed in 2013 with the above objective and Mora Pera Reunion 2014 and the Inaugural Moratuwa Peradeniya Reunion Oration will be held on Aug 2, at the Postgraduate Institute of more..

Aug 1 (CT) The much looked-forward –to Geoffrey Bawa Award 2013/2014 for Excellence in Architecture was conferred on architect Pradeep Kodikara for his creation KADJU HOUSE in Tangalle (2007) at the gala award ceremony held at the Park Street Mews. Architect Pradeep carried off with the creatively designed Geoffrey Bawa trophy, Rupees One million in cash. Architect Yudish L Ganesen whose work more..

Aug 1 (Island) Javelin thrower Nadeka Lakmali finished sixth in the women’s javelin at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Wednesday as she cleared a seasonal best distance of 59.04 metres in the final. Lakmali, who became only the second Sri Lankan behind Susanthika Jayasinghe to feature in a final of a global athletics competition when she cleared 58.16 metres at the IAAF World Championship, 2013 was one of the few medal hopefuls for Sri Lanka. more..

Aug 1 (Island) Twenty five years have elapsed since the assassination of Premakeerthi de Alwis. A veteran media personality, poet, lyricist and, above all, a wonderful human being, who harboured no ill-will towards anyone, he was felled by a JVP sparrow unit because he did not give in to southern terrorism. His death anniversary every July brings back sad memories of a dark era when the country was plunged into a bloodbath and democracy sustained paralysing blows. more..

Aug 1 (FT) Airport and Aviation Services (AASL) yesterday clarified the ratings of the BIA, in the wake of media reports claiming that Sri Lanka’s primary international airport performed poorly amidst other Asian airports according to an international survey. The Airport Transport Research Society (ATRS), which annually conducts research on airports as part of its ‘Global Airport Performance Benchmark Project,’ more..

Aug 1 (FT) SriLankan Airlines Chairman Nishantha Wickremasinghe has been appointed the Chairman of APOT. Asia (Asia Pacific On-board Travel) from August this year. He will be taking over from Heather Cho, Senior Vice President of Korean Air Lines. Aimed at collectively inventing and improving new strategies to attract more tourists to the region, APOT. Asia is a global body with a member-base ranging from airline in-flight products and service suppliers, airline caterers, more..

Aug 1 (FT) The case for the winding-up of Touchwood Investments was called in the Commercial High Court yesterday, on an application made by the Liquidator to summon CEO Lanka Wijendra Kiwlegedara to Court. Such notice had to be served on the present CEO, as the company and its officers had not fulfilled their obligations under the Companies Act to handover the assets, properties, documents, etc. that belong to the company to the Liquidator appointed by Court. more..

Aug 1 (SNA) The bustling capital city of Colombo in Sri Lanka, with its metropolitan population of 4.5 million inhabitants is a far cry from the commercial centre of the Seychelles, which contains only a handful of streets and even fewer newly-installed traffic lights. However, the two cities, as different as they may seem, may have a lot to offer each other in terms of tourism, fisheries and commerce. This is the hope of the mayors of more..

Aug 1 (Island) In Sri Lanka, rain is the primary source of water. The annual rainfall is around 1,800 mm with areas such as Hambanthota and Mannar receiving only about 900 mm and some areas in the hill country receiving about 5,000 mm. The total amount of water received in the form of rain is around 100 billion cubic meters per year. In spite of the country receiving so much rain, water reservoirs, wells and other water sources etc in many districts of the country, mainly in the dry zone, are more..

Aug 1 (GL) India travel specialist Cox & Kings has launched an escorted tour to Sri Lanka featuring an introduction into the diversity of the country’s wildlife. This is the company’s second escorted tour to the country, which focusses on the abundance of birdlife, flora, fauna and marine life. Starting from the Sinharaja biosphere, the ‘Wonders of the Wild’ tour visits the Uda Walawe and Yala National Parks in search of wild elephants and leopards. It continues to the west of the island to look for more..

Aug 1 (DM) A Swiss national sailing around the world alone in a yacht had a narrow escape when the yacht collapsed after hitting a rock close to the Kamburugamuwa beach in Matara. The 43 year old Swiss national named Bourenon had swum with his life jacket on to the Matara beach and escaped when the yacht had broken into pieces. He had begun his voyage in October. Swiss national explaining his predicament said he sailed more..

Aug 1 (ST) The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) and its 2015 Project Committee is gearing for the hallmark award show – ‘SLIM-Nielsen Peoples Awards’, which recognises brands and personalities that SLIM says “have made a profound impression in the minds of the people of Sri Lanka”. For the 9th year, the SLIM-Nielsen Peoples Awards will be held in March 2015, the organisers said this week. “This is one of the most awaited marketing events in the corporate calendar more..

Aug 1 (OW) Switzerland Ambassador in Sri Lanka Thomas Litscher said that Switzerland is willing to continuously extend its utmost support to Sri Lanka. He made these remarks when he met PM D.M Jayarathna yesterday prior to his departure after completing his tenure in Sri Lanka. He also pointed out the need to strengthen trade ties between the two countries. He further said that Sri Lanka’s investment-friendly policies have made it possible to manufacture and export high quality more..

Aug 1 (SMH) About four out of five of the 157 asylum seekers being held at a remote detention centre in Western Australia after being detained in windowless rooms on the high seas for almost a month are showing signs of trauma and torture, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has claimed. She said the claim was based on information from a 'very reliable' source and was the key motivation for her bid to visit the centre more..

Aug 1 (GDI) “I am pleased of the performance of the delegation of 119 companies and businesses that I led to Kunming. I commend EDB for this successful facilitation effort” said Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka on Thursday in Colombo. Sri Lanka has garnered more than $4.6 Mn orders at the recently concluded Kunming Int’l Fair in China-and this too is only from the initial overview of Kunming outcomes rather than any in-depth totals. more..

Aug 1 (DN) Architect 2015, one of Sri Lanka's most sought after event was ceremonially launched in Colombo on Wednesday with the simultaneous felicitation of stall holders and sponsors of Architect 2014 in gala reception hosted by the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects(SLIA). Archt Prof Chitra Wedikkara, President of SLIA addressing the event said Architect 2015 would bring a number of new opportunities to everyone. She said, " the event has achieved progress in all facets. more..

Aug 1 (Island) Students of the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) are protesting against increasing of fees by 40% and banning student unions by the university administration. Co-convener of the OUSL Students Collective Amila Sandaruwan said that normally the charges were increased by 10% but from this year it had been increased by as much as 40%. "Most of the OUSL students are from rural areas or registered more..

Aug 1 (FT) John Keells Holdings (JKH) has struck a deal to divest a 78% stake in Union Assurance Plc’s General business to Fairfax Asia Ltd. The deal will be done following the completion of the segregation of the UAL’s General and Life insurance business under a scheme of arrangement. The announcement saw UAL’s share price rise by Rs. 15 to close at Rs. 145 after it hit an intra-day high of Rs. 148. Based on the projected financial statements of UAL as at 31 December 2014, more..

Aug 1 (NF) The Department of Post says that a 100% increase in charges which was due to come into effect on Aug 1, has been postponed by a week. Post Master General, Rohana Abeyratne said that the revised prices will come into effect from August 7. According to the new revision, the minimum postal rate has been increased from Rs.5 to Rs.10. The fee of Rs.4 that was in effect for postcards will be increased to Rs.8. However, registered post charges of Rs.25 remains unchanged more..

Aug 1 (DM) The first convict Lahiru Kelum in the Tangalle Resort British tourist murder case yesterday petitioned to the Court of Appeal against the Colombo High Court Judge’s verdict of sentencing him to twenty years rigorous imprisonment. Four convicts including former Tangalle PS Chairman Sampath Chandrapushpa Vidanapathirana who were found guilty of killing British tourist Khuram Shaikh in Dec 2011 more..

Aug 1 (GDI) The relevant authorities have made all arrangements to provide necessary facilities to those who arrive in Kandy to witness the historic Esala Perahera from August 1 to 11. There will be drinking water and sanitary facilities for the public within easy reach. All restaurants and other places providing food and drinks will be checked from time to time by the Public Health Inspectors and Consumer Protection Authority officials to guarantee that they are hygienic and prices are reasonable. more..

Aug 1 (DM) A fatal head-on collision between two passenger trains was averted yesterday afternoon after railway authorities realized the danger in the nick of time and took measures to stop the two trains. The two trains had been travelling on the same track due to a miscommunication at the railway control room, the railway authorities said. The railway control room said that a train plying from Colombo to Trincomalee and another train travelling from Trincomalee to Colombo have more..

Aug 1 (Island) Director of National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) Dr. Anil Jasinghe said that a group of over 30 consultants had met at the auditorium of the Neuro-Trauma Unit consequent to the disruption of their meeting at the canteen of the doctors’ quarters earlier in the day. He said that he had allowed the consultants to use the NTU auditorium after having consulted Director General of Health Services Dr. Palitha Maheepala. more..

Aug 1 (Island) A massive stock of rotten potatoes and onions was detected in Pettah during a raid carried out by the Public Health Department of the Colombo MC. Acting Food Inspector of the PHD, Lal Kumara said that the raid had been carried out on a tip-off received by his outfit under the instructions of the Chief MOH, Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuny. PHD had detected 5,000 kilos of potatoes and 6,000 kilos of onions unfit for human consumption at Fourth Cross and Maliban Streets, he said. more..

Aug 1 (Island) With UPFA constituents NFF and the JHU deciding to contest the forthcoming Uva PC Election on their own, the govt said that it was confident of securing the support both parties at national polls. "There is no problem with the NFF and the JHU going it alone at local and provincial level and it has happened earlier. We are confident that when it comes to national issues both the NFF and JHU would back the UPFA", Minister Keheliya Rambukwalle said. more..

Aug 1 (CT) The govt indicated that it was not for the abolition of the Executive Presidency in totality, but what it was looking at was constitutional amendments reducing its powers. President Rajapaksa and the SLFP top brass were now studying the possibilities of constitutional amendments regarding the Executive Presidency as there has been lots of debate on this subject over the last 30 years, more..

Aug 1 (DM) Water is the liquid gold of the 21st Century. Independent world affairs analysts say that big powers like the United States went to war in Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries with the hidden agenda of taking control of the oil and natural gas resources in those countries. The analysts fear the rich countries in the coming decades may go to war to take control of fast-declining fresh water resources in third world countries including Sri Lanka. Though SL has been blessed with more..

Aug 1 (CT) Yesterday, this newspaper reported of fisticuffs breaking out among two factions of the all powerful GMOA at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. This probably may be the first time in the history of the GMOA that infighting among the members of this powerful trade union (TU) had exploded into fisticuffs in public. Previously, it was cases of members of the general public assaulting doctors belonging to the GMOA for various reasons like delayed treatment, more..

Aug 1 (SL) The LTTE network outside London was the strongest in Leicester and Milton Keynes but even their participation was limited. Thanam was disappointed because he had operated from Milton Keynes, yet even those willing contributors and volunteers evaded him. Eventually, the LTTE UK was able only to organise five buses and they were operated carrying LTTE flags, banners and placards. more..

Aug 1 (GDI) President Mahinda Rajapaksa, this evening at Temple Trees, met with officials to discuss arrangements for the next meeting of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP). ICAPP will take place in Colombo Sept. 18-21, 2014, under the theme "Building an Asian Community.” The eighth General Assembly of ICAPP will be co-hosted by the SLFP and the UNP. Minister Maithreepala Sirisena, more..