Feb 12 (CT) Dr. Vickremabahu Karunaratne has been summoned to appear before the police in connection with some very serious allegations that literally amount to felony. These allegations, submitting false names and addresses of candidates, 16 in all, in the nomination list of the Nawa Sama Samaja Party (NSSP), are being investigated right at this moment and what comes out may well decide the credibility of a modern-day revolutionary, who at the very drop of a hat, more..

Feb 12 (CT) It was reported that Theverapperuma’s membership was suspended by UNP for verbally abusing and physically threatening its Leader Ranil Wikremesinghe. Let’s begin with some infamous examples of violent people and violence. Mervin and his son, famous for both giving and receiving. Rupavahini episode comes to mind first. Range Bandara was another example for a severe receiver. Rajpal Abeynayake was hopitalised after an assault. There are many examples from within more..

Feb 12 (Island) Supreme Court yesterday ordered the Elections Commissioner, the Commissioner of Local Govt and the Pradeshiya Sabha members of Hanguranketha to refrain from appointing another person Chairman of the Hanguranketha Pradeshiya Sabha. Petitioner D.M.P.G. Ranasinghe, the Chairman of the Hanguranketha Pradeshiya Sabha, has complained to the Court that subsequent to the defeat of the budget 2014, Secretary to Pradeshiya Sabha and some of the members, more..

Feb 12 (LBO) Stocks close down Wednesday with tobacco and finance stocks losing ground, brokers said. All Share Price Index closed 28.67 points lower at 6,084.48, down 0.47%. The S&P SL20 closed 12.39 points lower at 3,336.96, down 0.37%. Turnover was 548.63 million rupees, down from 1.98 billion rupees a day earlier, with stocks of 127 firms closing in the red against 39 gainers. Distilleries closed 1.60 rupees higher at 217.20 rupees with 91.50 million rupees of off market more..

Feb 12 (DM) The postmortem examination of the Peradeniya University student’s body has revealed that his death had resulted from suicide by hanging from a tree, police said. The postmortem examination was carried out yesterday by Judiciary Medical Officer (JMO) Amal Wedasinghe of the Peradeniya University’s Medical Faculty. The body of Arts Faculty student Dikowita Kankanamage Nishantha was found hanging more..

Feb 12 (Reuters) The Sri Lanka rupee ended steady on Wednesday as outflows from foreign equity selling were offset by dollar sales by a private lender and exporters, dealers said. Dealers expect the currency to be under pressure due to lower interest rates that could result in higher imports in March and early April, ahead of the traditional new year in mid-April. The spot rupee closed at 130.82/85 per dollar. Dealers said rupee premiums rose due to a technical correction as more..

Feb 12 (Island) Dr. W.G. Weeraratne, Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopaedia of Buddhism has passed away. He joined the editorial staff of the Encyclopaedia of Buddhism in 1959 and served on the project for 51 years and was instrumental in completing the encyclopaedia, which consists of 8 volumes. He entered the University of Ceylon in 1953, having won the Professor M.B. Ariyapala Gold Medal awarded to the best student of the year in Oriental Studies at Mahinda College, Galle. more..

Feb 12 (IL) The snow covered freezing temperature in Ottawa, did not deter the large expatriate Sri Lankan community and other special guests who attended the 66th Anniversary of Sri Lanka's National Day celebrations held on 9th February organized by the Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa at the prestigious National Library & Archives Auditorium. Following the hoisting of the National flag and other items in more..

Feb 12 (Island) Kurunegala Magistrate Ravindra Premaratne yesterday rejected a request by the police to issue a court order prohibiting a protest at the Welagedara grounds against the principal of Sir John Kotelawala Maha Vidyalaya, where a teenage schoolgirl committed suicide over a photograph that was published on facebook. The magistrate turned down the reports presented by the police that the protest would result in damage to public property and social disturbances and more..

Feb 12 (Island) President Rajapaksa would, from March 7, address UPFA rallies ahead of the forthcoming PC elections, Minister Dullas Alahappeuruma said. He said that UPFA had already planned nine rallies to be addressed by President Rajapaksa. "We have organised a total of 4,780 rallies and meetings in the six districts of the two provinces," he said, adding that 4,617 meetings would be held at the Grama Seva Division level and 97 at local govt authority level. more..

Feb 12 (TS) A Sri Lankan national who had recently graduated from college, was found dead in a condominium here, in what is believed to be a sex act gone wrong. Acting city CID chief Asst Comm Khairi Ahrasa said the 34-year-old had been dead between four and seven days when he was found on Tuesday at the condominium in Taman Abadi Indah. A friend of the Sri Lankan had sought help from a security guard when more..

Feb 12 (DN) A new data base (Human Resources Management Information System) for Sri Lankan MBBS doctors was launched by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena yesterday, a Health Ministry spokesman said. According to the spokesman, the new data base which is a first in Sri Lanka, has been developed with the assistance of the GMOA. The new system cuts down the cost of transfers from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 40,000 per year and also the number of clerks involved from 10 to two. more..

Feb 12 (LT) Investigations have revealed that ‘Devundara Thamil’, a drug racketeer, had been engaged in drug racketeering with the protection of a former DIG for the Southern Province and the support of two government and opposition politicians say reports. The former DIG and former OIC of Gandara Police and a powerful politician of Kalutara District have frequently visited ‘Devundara Thamil’ and as a result he had developed a power base in the area say reports. more..

Feb 12 (DM) JVP said today the Bribery Commission had acted in an arbitrary manner and in violation of natural justice when it dismissed the complaint against the Bribery Commissioner Jagath Balapatabendi. JVP MP Sunil Handunethti said after visiting the Bribery Commission that though he had made the complaint, he was not informed of the decision or the fate of the inquiry. “I am the complainant and I was only more..

Feb 12 (AN) A German Christian association has provided a Buddhist village in Embilipitiya District (southern Lanka) with 20 tanks to store water because of a drought expected to strike in March. This, some local women told AsiaNews, is "priceless". It will "allow us to survive." The village is called Mullagasyaya and is home to about 85 Buddhist families, who survive by growing rice, vegetables and grain. Every year, however, when the dry season arrives, water is a problem. more..

Feb 12 (MoD) Further widening its community development and welfare oriented programmes, Sri Lanka Navy conducted another field health clinic at the Kayakkuli Tamil Mixed Pre-School in Mannar District recently (8). The preceding field health clinic was conducted at the Tamil Mixed Catholic School in Mullikulam, on 25th Jan. Naval personnel serving in the North Western Naval Command in collaboration with the State Pharmaceutical Corporation, Glaxo Lanka, Interpharma Ltd, more..

Feb 12 (CG) India today urged Sri Lanka to engage with the world on the human rights issue and find a middle road which satisfies the world. External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, speaking to a group of SL journalists in New Delhi, said that Sri Lanka cannot isolate itself from the world. “We need to find a via media that shows the world that something is happening and that it needs time. You cannot isolate yourself. more..

Feb 12 (Island) The 31st Anniversary of the Disappearance of Mr. Upali Wijewardene, the Founder Chairman of Upali Group of Companies, falls tomorrow. The Upali Group, its employees and sales agents countrywide have made arrangements to commemorate the event with religious ceremonies such as bodhi pooja, alms giving, pahan pooja and blood donation campaigns. A special bodhi pooja will be held at the Kelani Rajamaha Viharaya at 6.00 pm on February 13. more..

Feb 12 (CI) Mahela Jayawardene has been ruled out of the limited-overs leg of the Bangladesh tour after suffering a hand injury. Jayawardene had split the webbing between the fourth and little fingers on his left hand during a practice session on the eve of the first Twenty20 in Chittagong and was later taken to the Metropolitan Hospital for stitches. While the team management did not comment on Jayawardene's status soon after the injury, an SLC release on Wednesday more..

Feb 12 (CI) Dinesh Chandimal was in the middle of several mini conferences during the Bangladesh chase, and at the end of the 16th over, he held his own by bringing back Lasith Malinga. Nasir Hossain got out and Sri Lanka went ahead and sensed victory even as the 20th over began. But Malinga was done, he had bowled the 19th, so Thisara Perera was given the ball and he almost gave it away. more..

Feb 12 (SM) Audit reports have reportedly revealed that Anil Koswatta, the chairman of the state owned gift and souvenir boutique - Laksala has embezzled a sum of Rs. 30 million. He has committed the misdeed by handing over the construction contracts of Laksala to a company affiliated to him, even misleading the Cabinet of Ministers in the process, reports add. According to audit reports, the construction costs of Laksala outlets in the Colombo Museum premises as well as in more..

Feb 12 (Island) The Colombo Fort Magistrate yesterday released former Sothern Provincial Councilor and retired army major turned UPFA candidate Ajith Prasanna arrested on Sunday and remanded till yesterday on four charges on two sureties of Rs. 500,000 each standing bail. The four charges filed against him were leading an unlawful political parade, being a member of such a parade, assaulting a police officer and wearing military insignia without permission. more..

Feb 12 (RSF) Sri Lanka ranked 165th in the list of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index 2014, the Reporters Without Border said in its latest annual report. This trend constitutes a growing threat worldwide and is even endangering freedom of information in countries regarded as democracies. Finland tops the index for the fourth year running, closely followed by Netherlands and Norway, like last year whereas Finland and more..

Feb 13 (NS) After all, the fishermen in both Sri Lankan and Indian custody have been swapped, 87 Indian fishermen and 19 vessels are in Sri Lankan custody, for violating the fishermen level agreements made in January. A total of 129 Sri Lankan fishermen and 34 fishing craft have been released. The total number of Indian fishermen set free by Sri Lankan authorities has risen to 255 since the two countries started releasing fishermen. Restrictions on bottom trawling in Tamil Nadu drive more..

Feb 13 (NS) Norway may be attempting to make up for its dwindling population by separating children of migrant families under false and ridiculous allegations and placing them in the care of foster parents. International Political Lobbyist and Strategist, Muheed Jeeran claims that 17,200 children have been under Childcare custody since 2006 and a great majority of them are from migrant families. Allegation of Norwegian Childcare range from children being forced to more..

Feb 13 (SO) The story you are about to read is like from a Ripley's Believe it or not episode. It is shocking to learn that some high-rise buildings in the city of Colombo do not possess fire fighting equipment and have even neglected fire safety rules that are compulsory for their own safety. Some buildings do not even possess fire extinguishing cylinders or hoses which is a must at every floor level. In some buildings fire exits are blocked more..

Feb 13 (CT) Sri Lanka’s General Price Level, as measured by the Colombo Consumers’ Price Index, commonly known as CCPI, and compiled by the Department of Census and Statistics, is reported to have increased as at end of Jan 2014 by 4.4% over the price level that had prevailed one year ago. In Dec 2013, this annual increase in the price level had been 4.7% and therefore, there has been a decline in the rate of growth. This has been the trend which CCPI had shown since Feb last year more..

Feb 13 (CT) As international pressure builds in the lead up to the UNHRC session in March that will discuss a third resolution on alleged war crimes and human rights abuses in Sri Lanka, column inches on the subject also multiply. The most notable thing about the govt’s response to this is how consistently it has trotted out the same arguments, and how rigidly it has stuck to tactics that have served it well domestically, but continue to fail in an international context. more..

Feb 13 (CT) Former Provincial Councillors, Maithri Gunaratne and Shiral Lakthilaka, in an interview say, the UNP will witness a defeat it has never seen in its long history and the forthcoming PC elections will be a complete disaster for the Grand Old Party. Q: Even though you are prominent personalities in the Southern (Maithri) and Western (Shiral) Provinces, why do you think the UNP denied PC nominations to you? more..

Feb 13 (Island) Police conducted a lightning raid the other day. Guardians of the law, ably assisted by the Kelaniya Uni security personnel, swooped on a group of u'grads smoking cannabis on the campus, bundled them into waiting police vehicles and hauled them up before courts. Suspects have been bailed out and ordered to be present in courts with their parents. Anyone who runs afoul of the law should be dealt with promptly. Matter, now before courts, is best left to the learned judge concerned. more..

Feb 13 (GV) The reception of Buddhism in Sri Lanka coincided with a holistic process of state formation in the 3rd century BC. An inquiry into the nature and character of early Buddhism as received in Lanka is necessary for those who struggle to understand the continued influence of the Sangha over the people. At the same time there are aspects of both religion and radical freedom (which may be referred to as the total Indian inheritance) that were never fully accepted in Lanka. more..

Feb 13 (CT) A survey reveals Upeksha Swarnamali has made the lowest contribution as a female lawmaker Pavithra and Rosy have made the highest contribution among female politicians in Parliament. Do they belong in politics? That is the question that is being raised with regard to the myriad of artistes, who are gradually making inroads into mainstream politics. Staggering number of celebrities, whose professions vary more..

Feb 13 (GV) 30-minute “documentary” on Sri Lanka produced by Thompson Advisory Group (TAG), freely available on YouTube, is a key ingredient in the Rajapaksa regime’s charm offensive in the lead up to the UNHRC sessions in March. The “documentary”, Sri Lanka: Reconciling and Rebuilding, perhaps gets its name from an article published on the Forbes website in November last year, titled Sri Lanka: Rebuilding, Reconciling And Rebranding by the Governor of Central Bank. more..

Feb 13 (Island) The govt has been trying to convince itself and the general population that its position will prevail at the forthcoming session of the UNHRC in Geneva. Some of this requires a stretch of the imagination and is meant to give temporary comfort. The state media gave wide publicity to a purported decision of the Australian govt not to back an independent international investigation into alleged war crimes during the Sri Lankan civil war. However Australia is not a member of the UNHRC more..

Feb 13 (FT) Access Engineering yesterday announced that earnings attributable to equity at group and company level were Rs. 2,091 million and Rs. 1,871 million in the first nine months, a phenomenal growth of 27% and 26% respectively. The turnover for the same period stood at Rs. 11,997 million and Rs. 9,721 million at group and company level respectively which was a growth of 22% and 21% over the corresponding period of the previous year. more..

Feb 13 (CI) Bangladesh needed three to win off the last ball and although Anamul Haque, on 58 off 44, would regret top-edging the hip-high full toss, Bangladesh were ultimately done in by two earlier dismissals. Captain Mashrafe Mortaza said that Shakib Al Hasan and Nasir Hossain fell at crucial times which limited their ability to challenge the the target of 169. Shakib had added 43 runs for the third wicket with Anamul, before he tried to belt Nuwan Kulasekara in the 14th over more..

Feb 13 (CI) Yuvraj Singh was the most expensive buy on the first day of the IPL 2014 auction, a relatively conservative exercise in which 70 players were bought for a total of $35 million. There were five million-dollar bids - for Yuvraj, Dinesh Karthik, Kevin Pietersen, Mitchell Johnson and Glenn Maxwell - but the value of some previous millionaires, including the Pathan brothers, Yusuf and Irfan, and Saurabh Tiwary, recorded a steep decline. more..

Feb 13 (CI) Kumar Sangakkara timed a short Shakib Al Hasan delivery towards midwicket, perhaps hoping to pick up a couple if not a boundary. But as Nasir Hossain hared towards the long-on and midwicket curve, the speed of the pick-up shot was evident. By the time Nasir had taken the catch, the ball was slightly past him. But the most telling piece was when Nasir's sunglasses first bumped up on his forehead, and then fell right into place on the impact of his fall. more..