Aug 4 (Island) There is nothing in the Criminal Code or those of Morality and Ethics that some of our politicians (supposed 'Leaders') have not transgressed. They are too well known to require repetition. There is a craftily conditioned plot to equate democracy solely to the periodic exercise of a vote. Sadly, many seem to have fallen for this bait. Media cannot escape blame for promoting this myth by excessive attention to a running commentary on the mechanics of this process. more..

Aug 4 (ST) The other day a hotelier on the western Sri Lanka coast said he just couldn’t understand the arrival statistics of tourists. “We saw a surge in arrivals in December – according to statistical data released by Sri Lanka Tourism, but where are they staying?” he asked. This same issue puzzled a veteran hotel manager in the south a few years ago who said May-June months had been low for his old, upscale property and expected it to be the same across the country. more..

Aug 4 (FT) Minister Basil Rajapaksa will inaugurate the full-day Cyber Security Summit organised by the Daily FT in partnership with CICRA Consultancies. with support from a host of global and local institutions tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. at the Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo. With the Summit’s national focus on how Sri Lanka can secure its future $ 100 billion economy from cyber attacks, Secretary to President and Chairman of TRC more..

Aug 4 (CT) The SEC is worried about the dwindling number of directors available in the country, and their expertise to manage private quoted companies. SEC Chairman Dr. Nalaka Godahewa said that there were less than 1,000 directors available in the country to manage more than 295 listed corporates. He raised concerns over the expertise of some directors who were unprepared and less experienced to protect the interests of shareholders. SEC has initiated several seminars more..

Aug 4 (Hindu) It has always been a bit of an emotional bind — on the one hand is your loyal-to-the-Tamil-cause argument and on the other, the little voice that tells you that the rebel, even if not without a cause, has gone haywire. Having just returned from an aseptic trip to Sri Lanka, this was one of the reasons why I picked up Samanth Subramanian’s book, eagerly. And what a tour de force it is. Written with journalistic prowess & integrity, book succeeds in bringing the war uncomfortably close, more..

Aug 4 (EC) Iran and Sri Lanka have signed a deal, worth $110 million, based on which Iranian private sector will provide electricity to around one thousand villages in Sri Lanka. So far, 400 villages have been supplied with electricity. According to Sri Lanka's Power and Energy Ministry's website, the project, dubbed as "RE8", is to serve remote areas as well as un-electrified gap areas in between already electrified areas. more..

Aug 4 (FT) Noritake Group President T. Ogura who was on a recent visit to Sri Lanka commended the company’s performance during the last financial year and forecasted steady and greater growth figures during the year to come. During this brief visit to Colombo, Ogura also paid a courtesy call on President Rajapaksa at ‘Temple Trees’. “Noritake has been in Sri Lanka for the past 42 years. While reinforcing our international brand presence in Sri Lanka, this Flagship Store is more..

Aug 4 (Island) Around 3,000 kidney affected patients had been found in Welioya, Dehiattakandiya, Seruwila, Kantale and Gomarankadawala where even the basic treatment was not available for such victims, let alone dialysis, All Ceylon Govt Medical Officers’ Association (ACGMOA) said. ACGMOA General Secretary Dr. Jayantha Bandara said that the deadly kidney disease (CKD) once confined to the North-Central Province (NCP) had rapidly spread to Welioya, Dehiattakandiya, more..

Aug 4 (Island) Minister G.L. Peiris, addressing public meetings over the weekend asked whether those who levelled baseless allegations against Sri Lanka were living in this world. The Minister recalled that several delegates at the UNHRC in Geneva had expressed astonishment at the relentless pursuit of Sri Lanka by a group of countries while unspeakable human tragedies taking place elsewhere did not evoke a response. more..

Aug 4 (AM) The Sri Lankan Commission on Disappearances is to invite, three international experts, appointed by President Rajapaksa, to visit Sri Lanka and observe the sittings of the commission. Prominent British lawyer Sir Desmond de Silva, Sir Geoffrey Nice and Professor David Crane are the others experts in the Advisory Council which has been appointed to assist the Sri Lankan Commission on Disappearances. “I am planning to invite the three members to come over and more..

Aug 4 (NS) Private bus owners are to propose a special fare for passengers traveling the minimum distance during off-peak times, Chairman, LPBOA, Gemunu Wijeratne said. Wijeratne pointed out that several buses continued to operate during off-peak hours when the number of passengers is less compared to the morning and evening hours. “The passengers are less from 9.30am and 1pm. Most passengers opt for three-wheelers during this time. But the buses continue to operate,” he said. more..

Aug 4 (SL) The CPC has lost approximately Rs. 583 million, as demurrage charges, for the five fuel vessels that have been berthed at the Colombo harbour, following an accident caused by its negligence. Sources revealed that following the rupture of undersea buoy hose at Colombo harbour on May 23, five ships arriving on June 14, June 29 and the last ship on Aug 1, are having to be paid charges totalling Rs. 583 million. more..

Aug 4 (NS) Former minister and a former member of the NFF Achala Jagoda denied speculations that he is making an effort in creating another political party. Posters have been pasted in the town few days back and unconfirmed news were spreading that a number of Parliament representatives in the ruling UPFA are to break away and form a new political front. Former MP Jagoda said that he is busy with party politics as the SLFP Co-organizer for Kolonna electorate. more..

Aug 4 (SL) Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) resources have been used for the election campaign of its Minister’s son, DWC employees allege. Wildlife Conservation Minister, Vijith Wijayamuni Soyza is accused of violating election regulations by using DWC property for his son Udara Soyza’s election campaign in the Monaragala District, Department sources said. Wildlife Department holiday bungalow in Weheragala has now been converted to Udara’s party office more..

Aug 4 (CT) SC judgment which found former President Chandrika Kumaratunga guilty in the famous 'Water's Edge' land deal, could be a legal impediment if she decides to contest a future presidential election, political sources disclosed. They said the former President appeared to have a desire to announce her candidature at the eleventh hour if and when a proclamation is made calling a presidential election. more..

Aug 4 (Dawn) Sri Lanka’s acting assistant coach Ruwan Kalpage is set to become Bangladesh’s fielding coach as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) confirmed signing a deal with the Sri Lankan. Kalpage, who is expected to be with the Sri Lankans until the end of their Pakistan series in August, however is yet to get the clearance from the Sri Lanka Cricket. Piyal Wijetunge, Sri Lanka’s spin bowling coach, has also been signed up by the BCB for a similar role with the Tigers. more..

Aug 4 (Island) Kalutara DIG P. Indran, has been transferred to the Police Headquarters Welfare Unit with effect from yesterday. DIG Sumith Edirisinghe, who was in charge of Western Province (South), has been appointed as new DIG in charge of Kalutara and Panadura police divisions. DIG (Traffic) K. Senanayake has been appointed Acting DIG for Mount Lavinia and Nugegoda areas, which previously came under the purview of DIG Edirisinghe. more..

Aug 4 (Dawn) Sri Lanka’s champion batsman Kumar Sangakkara will meet Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) secretary Nishantha Ranatunga on Monday in a bid to iron out some of the issues that have cropped up between the two. Issues surfaced once again when Sangakkara speaking on the subject of SLC offering Lasith Malinga the option to represent the Mumbai Indians or play for Southern Express. more..

Aug 4 (Island) President Rajapaksa yesterday had lunch with Danindu Yashen, who was rescued from his kidnappers on Friday and his family at the President’s House. The senior police officers who worked day and night behind the scene to ensure the recuse of the four-year-old child were also felicitated by the President. They are DIG in Charge of the CID Ravi Seneviratne, its Director SSP R.L. Ranaweera, and ASP Wijesekera. IGP N.K. Illangakoon, too, graced the occasion. more..

Aug 4 (TOI) A group of AIADMK lawyers and law officers led by the party's Rajya Sabha member A Navaneethakrishnan met DGP K Ramanujam to demand action against those responsible for the publication of a demeaning article and caricature showing TN chief minister J Jayalalithaa and PM Narendra Modi in poor light. "We lodged a formal complaint against Sri Lankan authorities for having published an article, caricature and caption on its defence website trivialising Tamil Nadu more..

Aug 4 (ST) A 32 year old resident of Galgamuwa was among a group that went looking for a bride for a friend. At the would be wife’s house, they discussed the betrothal. An offer of ten million rupees was made by the girl’s father as dowry. With the talks over, they withdrew. Just a year later, instead of going ahead with the wedding, the friend Manjula Sandakelum had other plans. He noted that the girl’s father was rich. more..

Aug 4 (DM) It is indeed a pleasure to walk down Colombo’s well-manicured roads these days. One almost forgets that just a few years ago these very streets were death traps sans any glamour or greenery. There was a great sense of anxiety till bread winners returned home after the day’s work. Parents would wait for their children with pounding hearts and bated breath. Even a tyre burst would send a chill down one’s spine – a bomb? The relief today is so great, almost palpable. more..

Aug 4 (DM) The present state of society, polity, economy and culture of Sri Lanka deserves a critical appraisal. For, without such an appraisal, it is not possible to figure out how we should go about facilitating change in each of the above areas. Yet, the four areas mentioned above are so broad and complex that it is not possible to identify all the issues involved, let alone discussing them in detail with a view to exploring the ways of resolving them. So, what is attempted in this article is more..

Aug 4 (ST) More than 70 civil society organisations and rights activists have called for media freedom and freedom of assembly in light of recent incidents involving journalists being hindered in carrying out their jobs. The govt has “clearly violated” its own assurances under the National Action Plan of the LLRC to protect the freedom of movement of journalists from the North and the East, lawyer and human rights activist more..

Aug 4 (SL) The war among members of the GMOA turned ugly last week as two groups clashed at the Colombo National hospital. A group of proscribed members of the now defunct GMOA were accused of sabotaging a meeting presided by Senior Consultants at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL). The banned members had allegedly prevented the alternate GMOA group of forming the NHSL branch union and were accused of more..

Aug 4 (Island) The National Gem and Jewellery Authority and the Department of Archaeology have declared that a rare gem recovered by the Anuradhapura police is priceless as its rock type has not yet been ascertained. The precious stone was recovered while it was being taken by an interdicted police assistant to be sold to two businessmen from Matale for Rs. 40 million on July 9. more..

Aug 4 (Island) JVP would neither conduct any processions nor use loudspeakers on the day when it handed over its nomination lists for Uva PC election, party General Secretary Tilvin Silva said. JVP would hand over the nominations for the Badulla and Moneragala Districts tomorrow, when the GCE A/L exam commences. Their entire campaign strategy had been mapped out in such a way that it would not cause any hindrance more..

Aug 4 (AM) Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya today ordered Senior DIG Anura Senanayake to appear before court tomorrow in connection with security threat faced by SL Bar Association President Upul Jayasooriya. Magistrate ordered to summon the Senior DIG after taking into consideration the motion filed by the Sri Lanka Bar Association on the matter. In the motion the BASL alleged that the police had not taken more..

Aug 4 (DM) Almost all organisers, who organise concerts and musical shows, were presented by local and internationally renowned artists in Colombo during the recent past have defaulted entertainment tax; CMC member Sunil Withanage alleged. This included the individual, who organised the concert presented by internationally renowned artiste, who held a show in April. CMC is to file action against the organisers of the musical show. more..

Aug 4 (DM) The number of families that have been hit by the drought had exceeded 300,000. Eight districts including Polonnaruwa, Moneragala, Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Kurunegala, Hambantota and Mullaithivu were hit by the drought. 45,274 families had been affected in the Polonnaruwa District, while 32,039 in Moneragala, 10,180 in Ampara, 32,733 in Batticaloa, 20,368 in Trincomalee, 139,664 in Kurunegala, more..

Aug 4 (NDTV) Amid simmering tension between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, a team of young cricketers from the island has been sent back from Chennai where it was meant to participate in a tournament that starts today. The police said the teens were asked to return to Colombo because their presence could have incited protests. On Friday, Sri Lanka apologized for a derogatory article and illustration about TN Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and more..

Aug 4 (PTI) Sri Lanka's Supreme Court today dealt a blow to Northern Province Chief Minister CV Wigneswaran, saying he has no authority to issue orders to his Provincial Chief Secretary. A three-member bench ruled that only the National Public Service Commission (NPSC) can issue orders to the Provincial Council Chief Secretary, an officer under the NPSC. The court's verdict came on a rights petition filed by more..

Aug 4 (IANS) Parliament Monday witnessed an uproar over a derogatory article mentioning PM Narendra Modi and TN CM J. Jayalalithaa on Sri Lanka's defence ministry website. The govt said the SL high commissioner will be summoned over the issue. The objectionable article about J. Jayalalithaa's letters to Modi was published on SL's defence ministry website last week, and was taken down in a hurry. more..

Aug 4 (CT) As a prelude to the escalation of violence in the upcoming Uva PC elections, the Hali-Ela office of the UNP was attacked in the early hours of Wednesday last week by unruly elements, with the attack being attributed to the supporters of Minister Dilan Perera. The UNP has said this was the third time the office came under attack within a space of a few weeks. There were reports of another UNP office in Moneragala too being attacked a few days ago. more..

Aug 4 (CT) The annual average rate of price change (annual average rate of inflation) in terms of the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI based on 2006-2007 = 100) has been in single digits for over five years now. In 2008 the annual average rate of inflation (based on CCPI 2002=100) was 22.6%, the second highest in the post-independence period after 26.1% in 1980 (based on CCPI 1952=100). Since 2008 inflation has dramatically declined to single digit because of the revision of more..

Aug 4 (LBO) Sri Lanka's stocks closed 0.18% higher with Ceylon Tobacco Company gaining amid strong domestic participation. All Share Price Index closed 12.02 points higher at 6,822.15, up 0.18%. The S&P SL20 closed 0.91 points higher at 3,760.33, up 0.02%. Turnover was 2.29 billion rupees, up from 775.04 million rupees last Friday with 98 stocks closed positive against 95 negative. Trade Finance and Investments closed 80 cents higher at 28.00 rupees with four massive off-market more..

Aug 4 (NS) The LLB degree awarded by the University of London is one of the alternative routes to becoming a law professional for many Sri Lankans. However, many Sri Lankan students struggle with these examinations due to a failure to focus on a very few, key, basic steps. Please read the guidelines below if you are a current London LLB student to significantly improve your scoring ability. Understanding the basic English common law principles in your relevant subject is more..

Aug 4 (Island) Sri Lanka’s power authorities should not miss the opportunity to get further 200MW from the proposed second coal fired power complex in Sampur, Trincomlaee, a senior engineer said as the Japanese would build a transmission line capable of carrying an enhanced power load from there. He said that on a request by the Treasury, the JICA agreed to build a 400KV line instead of the usual 220 KV from Sampur more..

Aug 4 (Reuters) Sri Lankan rupee traded steady on Monday in dull trade as exporter dollar sales and inward remittances offset importer demand for the greenback, but the currency is under upward pressure because of inflows in the absence of strong growth in private credit and imports. The rupee was traded at 130.21/24 per dollar, unchanged from Friday's close, at 0625 GMT. "The pressure is there to appreciate," a currency dealer said. The two state banks bought dollars at 130.21 rupees more..