Aug 19 (AM) Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) will be host to the first series of lectures in international law by a visiting expert funded and introduced by the Moragoda International Law Trust from August 19 to August 26, 2014. The Moragoda Endowment Professor of International Law will deliver first lectures and hold Seminars on International Humanitarian Law, the subject of this year’s course selected by the KDU. The first will be Professor Terence Gill, more..

Aug 19 (Island) Hundreds of undergraduates of the Eastern University held a protest march and a demonstration opposite the UGC in Colombo yesterday, demanding the reinstatement of the Rector of the Trincomalee Campus allegedly removed by Vice Chancellor. President of the Sri Lanka National Union of Students, organising body of the protest and march, Thamara Gunaratne said that their march had started from more..

Aug 19 (DN) The case filed by JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake claiming Rs. 50 million from the Dinamina newspaper was dismissed by the Colombo District Court with costs. Dismissing the case against Dinamina Consultant Editor Mahinda Abeysundera, the Court held that the general public has the right to be informed about the true facts pertaining to MPs and that the news item published relating to MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake had been carried without malice in the public interest. more..

Aug 19 (Island) The 16 student leaders from Sri Lankan who attended the Summer Leadership Summits at Harvard and Chicago Universities returned last week with much enthusiasm and excitement of their experience in USA. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those promising teen leaders between the ages of 16 and 19 fluent in the English language. Seen in the picture are some of these student leaders with their new-found friends from around the world, this July at more..

Aug 19 (FT) Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi, UFJ became the first bank yesterday to sign a MoU with the BOI in Sri Lanka to encourage Japanese investments. The aim of the agreement is to promote Sri Lanka as an attractive investment destination to the bank’s varied clientele, scattered across several countries. With 764 Japanese branches and 75 foreign offices, Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi, UFJ is well-poised to more..

Aug 19 (ST) Five young Sri Lankan women were recognised as national winners under the prestigious Jane M. Klausman (JMK) scholarship programme awarded by Zonta International, at the official awards ceremony held in Colombo recently. Awanthika Mahawatha from the University of Sri J'pura; Sabrina Ghouse from Harvard University (USA); Shehani Rajendra from Achievers Lanka Business School in Colombo; Harshani Fernando from the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka; more..

Aug 19 (ST) Govt has instructed the CWE to import more quantities of rice from India or Pakistan to meet a shortage caused by the drought. Rice imports were allowed due to the shortage but the quantities were found to be insufficient. The Finance Ministry forecasts that 15% of the paddy harvest will be lost this year. In the meantime, Sri Lanka is to revise the economic growth rate to around 7.4% from targeted 7.8% if the prevailing drought leads in severe crop failure and power shortages more..

Aug 19 (DM) NFF said Sri Lanka’s Constitution should be replaced with a new Constitution instead of amending it following the compromise it had reached with the SLFP on NFF’s 12-point action plan. NFF spokesman Muzammil said that there should be a new Constitution as well as a new economy to develop the country. “Our present constitution is 36 years old. It had been criticized by govt and opposition more..

Aug 19 (ENS) An advocate has moved the Madras HC bench here seeking to impose a ban on the screening of the Tamil feature films ‘Kathi’ starring Vijay and ‘Puli Paarvai’ alleging that the films were funded by the Lankan President. The petitioner claimed the film was an attempt to portray Lanka in good light when it was facing the pressure of an international inquiry into the atrocities committed during Eelam War IV. While, ‘Puli Paarvai’ wrongly seeks to portray LTTE leader more..

Aug 19 (Island) The Elections Secretariat yesterday announced that those who did not possess valid identification documents to cast their vote at the forthcoming Uva Provincial Council election could apply for temporary identity cards before September 12 to the Elections Department. Commissioner of Elections Mahinda Deshapriya said that the identification documents which would be accepted on September 20 election day were the National Identity Card issued by more..

Aug 19 (SLA) The inaugural sessions of the Defence Seminar - 2014, themed on ‘Sri Lanka: Challenges to a Rising Nation’ got to a start Monday (18) at Colombo Galadari Hotel amidst a packed audience of scholars, intellectuals, policy makers and military leaders, drawn from more than 50 countries, including diplomats based here. The arrival of the day’s Chief Guest Minister Prof G.L Peiris, Deputy Minister Neomal Perera, more..

Aug 19 (CT) Ravindra Udayashantha, Chairman of the Kolonnawa Urban Council (KUC) and chief suspect in the alleged assault of KUC Deputy Chairman Suresh Kodagoda, was ordered to be remanded till 22 August after he surrendered to courts yesterday. Deputy Chairman of the KUC had made a complaint with the Kolonnawa Police on 2 Aug claiming that he was assaulted by a group of thugs including the KUC Chairman. He had been admitted to the IDH Hospital and later more..

Aug 19 (AP) Javed Miandad has blamed a weak domestic cricketing base for Pakistan's poor performance in the 2-0 test series defeat in in Sri Lanka. "Our batsmen are weak against quality bowling. We could compete against weaker teams like Zimbabwe, but not against teams like Sri Lanka, South Africa or England," coach of the Pakistan national team said. "Before the series I knew it won't be easy for our batsmen because Sri Lanka is very tough in their home conditions." more..

Aug 19 (ENS) Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi may visit Sri Lanka early next year, according to Dr Subramanian Swamy, head of the BJP’s Strategic Action Committee. Swamy told select journalists on the sidelines of the Sri Lankan Army’s Defence Seminar here on Monday, that India’s policy on Lanka is being decided by the Govt of India, and not the states, though the latter may be consulted. more..

Aug 19 (DM) He promised not to cry but millions of cricket fans including President Mahinda Rajapaksa and some 4,000 spectators were close to tears when one of the world’s greatest Test cricketers Mahela Jayawardena said farewell at his home-base SSC ground in Colombo yesterday. Captain Angelo Mathews and other players carried Mahela Jayawardena on their shoulders for a lap of honour amid roaring cheers and firecrackers as the 37-year-old star ended his Test career more..

Aug 19 (DM) It was reported that the MP Namal Rajapaksa and a popular singer had to face an embarrassing situation when they visited one of the leading schools with the objective of creating awareness among the students regarding the Carlton Rugby 7 Tournament to be held in Koggala. This tournament had not been organised by the Sri Lanka Rugby League. MP Namal Rajapaksa had gone with the popular singer Iraj Weeraratna to create awareness among the students and more..

Aug 19 (DM) July 31st this year marked the 25th death Anniversary of Premakeerthi de Alwis, talented journalist, broadcaster and song writer. Since that tragic day, it was widely believed that he was killed by the JVP during the reign of terror. A controversy over his death arose when his widow Nirmala de Alwis published a book tittled Premakeerthini in 2009. This controversial issue was set ablaze on July 31 when she told more..

Aug 19 (Island) Investigations so far conducted into a massive heroin bust at Katugastota have revealed that Ahamed Sabry Thajudeen arrested by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) at Palapatwala in Matale on August 14, is wanted by Interpol for drug related crimes in Malaysia and Pakistan. Four suspects including a woman were arrested last Friday at Watuwala, Katugastota with 59 kilos of heroin. more..

Aug 19 (GDI) To commemorate the 68th Independence Day of India, the Indian CEO Forum, in collaboration with the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, organised an Independence Day Concert by the famous Indian singer, Shaan (Shantanu Mukherjee) at Stein Studio in Colombo on Sunday. President Rajapaksa, and the First Lady, graced the occasion as the Chief Guests, and were welcomed by Y.K. Sinha, the High Commissioner more..

Aug 19 (ST) Thousands of villagers pray for rain as the ancient giant tanks and irrigation systems continue to dry up in 14 districts mostly in the North, East and North-Central provinces, with experts forecasting a continued need for trucked-in drinking water. The famous 12th-century Parakrama Samudraya now has only one-fifteenth of the water it was built to hold. Although the Yala crop season has reached its end and the Maha season is to more..

Aug 19 (Island) More than 3,000 new victims of chronic kidney disease have been detected in the Matale District for the first time. In Weligamuwa and Kongahawela areas of the Matale District farmers engaged in onion cultivation were the worst affected due to excessive use of agrochemicals including glyphosate. National Project for the Prevention of Kidney Disease Director Dr. Channa Jayasumana said that more..

Aug 19 (DM) There are 23 elephant calves illegally caught from the forests owned by leading supporters of the govt, said two UNP Sabaragamuwa PC members, Sandeeth Samarasinghe and Heshan Vithanage, at a PC meeting. They also presented a list containing the names of the elephants, places of capture, and places where they were kept. He said the elephants, Singithi, Kandula, Sanju, Chutimenike, more..

Aug 19 (Island) The TNA has urged the Geneva-based UNHRC to expand its ongoing inquiry to investigate atrocities committed by successive govts against Tamil speaking people since 1974. The UN recently launched the inquiry under the supervision of British national Sandra Beidas, formerly with the London headquartered Amnesty International. In a letter dated August 17 addressed to outgoing UNHRC Chief more..

Aug 19 (SL) With the unfortunate death of Dr Priyangani – the Senior House Officer Plastic Surgery Unit of the Lady Ridgway Hospital (LRH) – startling revelations have come to the fore as to how the Health Ministry and the Provincial Health Services Dept. Western Province have failed to discharge their duties. Had these two institutions discharged their duties accordingly, Dr Priyangani’s service as a trained Anesthesiologist would more..

Aug 19 (CG) President Rajapaksa today named a Pakistani national to the Advisory Council to the Commission of Inquiry on Missing Persons. The President said that he had invited Pakistani human rights lawyer Akhmad Bilal to strengthen the Advisory Council which already consists of four members. President Rajapaksa had recently appointed Indian human rights activist, Avdhash Kaushal, to more..

Aug 19 (AFP) Sri Lanka will not grant visas to UN investigators probing war crimes allegedly committed during the island's decades-long separatist conflict, President Rajapakse said Tuesday. "We will not allow them into the country," said Rajapakse, who is under international pressure to cooperate with the UN-mandated investigation. Sri Lanka has refused to accept the authority of UNHRC which voted more..

Aug 19 (CT) After 68 years of 'free education', Sri Lanka is still grappling with some of the more elementary problems that are usually associated with least developed countries and banana republics, where education for all and at no cost to the people is an alien concept. This is reflected in the glaring omissions, which see schools outside the major city centres still suffering from a whole heap of deficiencies ranging from staff to laboratory facilities, specialized teachers, proper tables more..

Aug 19 (CT) An opposition member noted that recently there had been much speculation in the corridors of Parliament about the manner in which funds were being allocated for development. I had realized something unusual was going on, because during Reconciliation meetings in the North I had been told about massive amounts being made available to individual MP. I had not received anything myself, and indeed had to ask for the Rs 5 million that has been given each year to more..

Aug 19 (LBO) Sri Lanka's shares closed in the green Tuesday, recording the highest turnover since March 2012 with the off-market transactions of John Keells Holdings despite strong foreign selling, brokers said. All Share Price Index closed 6.75 points higher at 6,981.46, up 0.1%. The S&P SL20 closed 17.93 points higher at 3,848.50, up 0.47%. Turnover was 8.19 billion rupees, up from 1.79 billion rupees a day earlier with 82 stocks closed positive against 121 negative. more..

Aug 19 (Island) Inspection of beauty parlours in the country has been ordered by the Health Ministry through a circular issued to all Provincial and Regional Health Directors in the country calling for quality reports on all beauty products used therein. Reports are to be handed over to the Director General Health Services (DGHS). The circular says that the Health Ministry urged the Regional and Provincial Directors to initiate regular monitoring and regulation of beauty parlours. more..

Aug 19 (Xinhua) Sri Lanka will focus on increasing trade and investment with China as well as broadening the scope of a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene said relations between Sri Lanka and China have leapfrogged since 2008 with around 5 billion U.S. dollars in infrastructure loans being given to the SL govt by China for various massive projects including ports, airport, highways & railroads. more..

Aug 19 (WNN) UN human rights experts have expressed their grave concern over the detentions and forced deportations of Pakistani asylum seekers in Sri Lanka back to their homeland where violent attacks against religious minorities have spiked in recent years. “States must guarantee that every single asylum claim is individually assessed with due process and in line with international law,” according to press release issued by UN Special Rapporteurs on minority issues, Rita Izsák, and more..

Aug 19 (Island) The Hatton police nabbed two persons while they were transporting an antique sword suspected to be recovered from a treasure trove. Officials of the Department of Archaeology have ascertained that the sword and its scabbard belong to the Kandyan Period. The suspects had been planning to sell the sword for Rs. 3.6 million. The arrest was made on a tip-off received by the intelligence unit of the Hatton police. Produced before the Hatton Magistrate, more..

Aug 19 (CG) President Rajapaksa today insisted that police powers will not be devolved to the provinces under any circumstances. Rajapaksa said that all the provincial councils are already enjoying the authority to administer their respective areas. However he said police powers will remain in the hands of the Govt. The Indian Govt had over the weekend said it wants to see powers powers devolved to the provinces in SL. more..

Aug 19 (Island) District Secretary for Mullaitivu Nogalingam Vethanayagam said that he would take steps to implement the recommendations of the LLRC by solving longstanding land problems of the people of the district during mobile land clinics to be held on Sept 4, 5 and 6. "We have taken action to solve as many land problems that have arisen following the liberation of the country in 2009." The district office of the Survey Department in Mullikulam is scheduled to be opened this morning by more..

Aug 19 (AM) The ruling party today accused the UNP of attempting to tarnish the image of several young politicians of the UPFA through false propaganda especially on social media. “At this stage, popular young politicians of the govt namely MP Namal Rajapaksa, Minister Dilan Perera and North Western Province Chief Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera are being targeted by this sinister propaganda campaign. Mangala Samaraweera, Head of the Media and Communications Unit more..

Aug 19 (CI) Offspinner Suraj Randiv has been recalled to the Sri Lanka squad three years after he last played an ODI, as part of a new-look spin attack for the three-match one-day series against Pakistan. Opener Upul Tharanga has also been named in the squad, thanks largely to his good returns in the Pakistan Test series, while Dinesh Chandimal returns to the ODI fray, following a successful one-day stint with Sri Lanka A. more..

Aug 19 (Island) Assistant Director of Wildlife in the Eastern Province D. M. Weerasinghe said that they found it extremely difficult to prevent elephants in Kumana sanctuary from raiding neighbouring villages like Akkaraipattu and Sammanthurai while the harvesting of paddy was underway. He requested the public not to believe the rumors that the Kumana National Park had been closed down, as a result of the acute and the prolonged drought. He admitted that members of his staff at more..

Aug 19 (CG) TN Congress Committee President B S Gnanadesikan asked the Centre to clarify in what capacity did BJP leader Subramanian Swamy visited Sri Lanka recently. While welcoming dialogue with Sri Lanka to facilitate the post war rehabilitation and resettlement of Tamils there, the TNC chief wondered on what capacity the BJP leader had called on SL President Rajapaksha recently. “The Central govt must clarify. On what capacity did Subramanian Swamy go to Sri Lanka ? more..