Jan 1 (LBO) Sri Lanka’s stocks rose 4.78% in 2013 with companies raising over 100 billion rupees in debt and equity, as foreign investors bought into the markets for the second year in a row. In Japan stock surged 52% driven by money printing and China fell 6.8% as largely state-led credit bubble burst. There was a broad recovery in Western markets with the recovering US up 30% and even troubled Greece up 24%. more..

Jan 1 (Island) Some Indians have obtained UK citizenship by claiming they were war displaced from Sri Lanka’s Northern Province. After furnishing documents containing false information they have received British passports. Well informed sources said that the practice continued even four years after the conclusion of the conflict. Sources claimed that networks of unscrupulous elements were engaged in the lucrative business of more..

Jan 1 (ENS) Maha Tamil Prabhakaran, a journalist, who was deported from Sri Lanka, after he was detained on charges of videographing the vital Army and Naval installations in the island nation, denied that he had flouted the visa norms. Prabhakaran said he was moving around in the island like any other tourist from other countries would do and was taking pictures only on the spots where photography was allowed. more..

Jan 1 (ST) Students at state-run universities and higher education institutions should use smart phones to record incidents of ragging so that action can be taken against the perpetrators, UGC Chairman Prof. Kshanika Hirimburegama has advised. “They (students) can use their smart phones and take pictures or videos to prove incidents of ragging and immediate steps will be taken to punish those who are found guilty,” more..

Jan 1 (Island) Navy Commander Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage, delivering the keynote address at the Marine Conversation Conference held at the BMICH recently, said, the history was repeating itself as the country had stepped into an era of renaissance with Indian Ocean becoming the key ocean in the 21st century. He stressed that the country was faced with the problem of Indian fishermen poaching in the more..

Jan 1 (CG) Police and army have denied reports that Sri Lankan born Tamil Canadian MP, Rathika Sitsabaiesan was placed under house arrest since last night in Jaffna where she is currently on a fact finding mission. Earlier Jaffna media reports indicated that no one was allowed to meet the MP last night at the hotel she is staying. However Jaffna DIG Pujith Jayasundara and the army, both denied reports more..

Jan 1 (CTV) The Canadian govt says it is following closely reports that a New Democrat MP from Ontario was under house arrest in Sri Lanka. Lynne Yelich, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, tweeted late Tuesday night: “Sri Lankan authorities have clarified with us there is no arrest warrant for Rathika. We will continue to follow closely until she is home.” According to unconfirmed Sri Lankan media reports, more..

Jan 1 (DM) The VIP platform on which a son of the President and many other VIP’s were partying at the Colombo Hilton had collapsed around midnight injuring scores of revelers during the New Year’s Eve party. The VIP platform had around 200 guests when the incident occurred. “There was blood all over with the entire platform collapsing. We had to rush the injured in our vehicles because there were no ambulances,” more..

Jan 1 (CT) As we welcome the New Year, gift-wrapped in optimism and decorated with a posy that promises all round better tidings, a pesky pea called reality nudges aside the sanguinity, laying bare the surfeit of reasons why 2014, despite being declared an election year, could end up no different to the year we sang Auld Lang Syne to, just a few hours ago. The year 2013, ushered in with much promise, has been a pretty much forgettable one on various fronts. Internationally, more..

Jan 1 (CT) In the eye of a Tamil poet how does Tamil Nadu appear? To Prof. Sundarampillai scholar and poet; “The sea girt globe is a damsel draped in blue. Bharat is her face ever beaming with beauty. Therein shining in all radiance is her crescent like forehead, the Dravidian State. As central attraction is the tilakam that is Tamil Nadu and Tamil is the fragrance emanating therefrom. Perched in this setting is the Tamil Maiden full of perennial charm, spreading mirth all around with more..

Jan 1 (ENS) The Sri Lankan Minister for Fisheries, Rajitha Senaratne, is making efforts to rope in the TNA-dominated Northern Provincial Council (NPC) to present a united Lankan front at the forthcoming talks between Lankan and Tamil Nadu fishermen to resolve the fishing row between the two countries. The Minister of Fisheries of the Northern Province, B Deniswaran, told Express on Tuesday that Senaratne would be travelling to Jaffna to meet him in this regard. more..

Jan 1 (Island) The Public Health Department of the Colombo Municipal Council (PHD CMC) yesterday warned they will take action against a café in Rosemead Place, Colombo 07, retailing chocolate drinks and cakes, after PHD staff detected over 400kgs of chocolate powder, which had passed the date of expiry and were ridden with insects. Chief of the PHD, Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam said that the place which had commenced operations early last year had been functioning without a license. more..

Jan 1 (CT) “Prime Minister told the Ambassador January 10 that it was up to the President to make a new offer on how to deal with the Defense portfolio. In the meantime, he is offering power-sharing at the Provincial level. It appears both sides are waiting to gauge their strength in the April 10 Provincial Elections.” the US Embassy Colombo informed Washington. Colombo Telegraph found the cable from the WikiLeaks database. more..

Jan 1 (DM) Three Sri Lankans, who survived the political turmoil in South Sudan while working in a Hotel there, arrived in Sri Lanka today. The three individuals managed to flee on a bus to Uganda with ten other Sri Lankans and have been staying at a rest house in Kampala. They thanked the Sri Lankan External Affairs Ministry and the Foreign Employment Bureau for taking action to bring them back and said the others should also be brought back immediately.

Jan 1 (CT) Despite the recent statement made by the Commissioner of Examinations, W.M.N.J. Pushpakumara, that a model paper of the simplified Grade 5 Scholarship examination will be presented to teachers by the end of January, the National Education Commission (NEC) has not been notified of this move, the Ceylon Teachers' Union (CTU), said yesterday. According to the General Secretary of the CTU, Joseph Stalin, the Chairperson of the Commission, Prof. Lakshman Jayatileke, more..

Jan 1 (DM) JVP handed over a complaint against the Chief of the Bribery Commission, Jagath De Silva Balapatabendi to the Bribery Commission, alleging that he received kickbacks after having sat on a Supreme Court bench, which released a consignment of vehicles. JVP MP Sunil Handuneththi said the only authority that the public can complaint of corruption is now under allegations of corruption and that officials more..

Jan 1 (Island) Anuradhapura Magistrate Ruwandika Marapana yesterday ordered that a doctor of the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital accused of installing a micro-camera on the towel rack of the staff toilet be remanded till January 06. Anuradhapura police arrested the suspect following a protest by the hospital employees yesterday morning. Police sought permission of the Magistrate to send the video camera and its footage to experts for further investigations. more..

Jan 1 (CT) A 26-year-old woman, along with her two children, filed a case in the Colombo District Court, claiming Rs 40 million from seven police officers of the Narcotic Bureau for the death of her husband, Mohamed Fahim. Ahamed Rizvana (26), Fathima Seema (5) and Mohamed Naweed (2), residents of No. 114, 2nd Lane, Bodhiraja Mawatha, Maligawatta, are the plaintiffs in the case. Ruwan Kumara (SI), N.D.C. Manoj (PC), D.M. Ranil (PC), H.l. Chandrasiri Hiriyadeniya (IP), more..

Jan 1 (DM) The decision to fell 66,000 trees in Mid-country to settle arrears of Rs.1840 million to the Employees’ Provident Fund and the Employees’ Trust Fund has been subject to severe criticism. Member of the CPC Sanjeewa Kaviratne (UNP) told the media that more than 8500 trees in Lower Rattota, a highly sensitive environmental zone in the low-lying area of the Knuckles Range would be cut down. He also charged that more..

Jan 1 (CT) Visiting Canadian MP, Rathika Sitsabaiesan, had met the NPC member, Ananthy Sasitharan in Jaffna on Monday. Sasitharan said that it was a one to one meeting, where both of them had extensive discussions on post-war issues, especially on war widows, disappearances and the IDPs. The Canadian MP who hailed from Maviddapuram , the northern most city in Jaffna, recalled that she too was an IDP in the early 80s prior to emigrating to Canada in 1986. more..

Jan 1 (DM) The store of a prominent upmarket chocolate shop situated in Colombo 7 was raided and sealed today by the Public Health Inspectors for storing and selling expired products. Public Health Inspectors of the Colombo Municipal Council raided the shop this afternoon following a tip off. The products imported from India are said to have been expired ten months ago. However, a Health Inspector told the Daily Mirror that the shop was launched four to five months ago.

Jan 1 (PTI) An exchange of 18 fishermen detained by Sri Lanka and India will take place soon, the Sri Lankan Navy said. 6 Indian fishermen and two trawlers will be handed over to authorities off the coast of Kankesanturai in the north, naval spokesman Commander said. 12 Sri Lankan fishermen and their two trawlers would be released by India, he said. An Indian Coast Guard vessel will bring the SL fishermen, more..

Jan 1 (LT) Let’s make 2014 an auspicious New Year! 2014 New Year dawns when Sri Lanka, as a country, has not achieved any victory. At present the country is economically broken down; politically bankrupt and culturally forgone. This is the pathetic situation Mahinda Rajapaksa family rule has dragged the country towards and 2014 would never be an auspicious new year. As such, conventional wishes of ‘Happy New Year’ are not meaningful. The spiralling cost of living is unbearably high more..

Jan 1 (AD) The UNP stated that it has not appointed any Chief Ministerial candidates for the upcoming Western Provincial Council election as yet. Speaking at a press conference held today, UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya stated that the UNP will not force anyone into the candidacy. He said that there was one part of Sri Lankan society enjoying the Lamborghini lifestyle while the rest of the people were struggling to make a living. The MP said that the disparity between more..

Jan 1 (CI) The three times Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan have batted together against Sri Lanka, they have added more than hundred runs every time. The third instance, today, came at a crucial juncture when the game was in the balance and ensured Pakistan took a firm grip of the Abu Dhabi Test with a vital first-innings lead. During the course, Younis went past his 23rd century - and sixth against Sri Lanka - while Misbah, more..

Jan 1 (DM) The UNP today said that its Leadership Council would hold talks with Southern Provincial Councilor Maithri Gunaratne on Sunday about his nomination for the upcoming Southern Provincial Council election, upon a request made by him. “Gunaratne asked for a meeting with the Leadership Council in writing. He had mentioned that he was willing to participate in the upcoming provincial council election. He has also mentioned about WP Councilor Shiral Lakthilake,” more..

Jan 1 (DN) President Rajapaksa said with the dawn of the New Year, all Sri Lankans should focus their attention on leading a healthy lifestyle avoiding alcohol and other harmful substances. President Rajapaksa was addressing a gathering at Magam Ruhunupura International Convention Centre Hambantota yesterday. At the event held under the patronage of President Rajapaksa, of 45,000 land deeds gifted, 5,000 were offered to Mahaweli Walawa Zone farmer families under more..

Jan 1 (CG) Army Commander Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake today urged his troops to maintain the highest levels of discipline among all ranks, safeguarding the reputation of the organization at all times. Speaking at the army headquarters today during the New Year celebrations, the Army Commander said that the dedication and commitment of the soldiers had already borne fruit and received praise from the President and more..

Jan 1 (LT) The students of Rajarata University have been carrying on a continuous ‘Sathyagraha’ for the last 22 days demanding the administration of the University to withdraw the decision to suspend 27 student activists in the University. Students are carrying out their ‘Sathyagraha’ opposite the University. The 27 student activists have been suspended from attending lectures for five years. The President of the Students’ Council of the Rajarata University Dinesh Kumara said more..

Jan 1 (Hindu) About 3,000 country boat fishermen at Pamban launched an indefinite strike on Tuesday, protesting the arrest of 18 fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy on Monday, and demanding their immediate release, even as the Magistrate court in Kayts remanded them in judicial custody till January 10. The fishermen, who used to fish in the south sea and north sea off Pamban and moved to Sangumal, Kunthukal and Therkuvadi coasts in the island during January to March due to more..

Jan 1 (CI) Sri Lanka coach Graham Ford has rued the missed opportunity to review an lbw shout against Misbah-ul-Haq, soon after tea on day three, in Abu Dhabi. Suranga Lakmal had struck Misbah in front of middle stump, but above the knee roll, as Misbah batted on 76. But despite having their reviews replenished two overs prior, under the new rules, Sri Lanka chose not to challenge the decision. more..

Jan 2 (NS) ‘How’s Christmas?’ someone asked. When everyday seems ok, there’s nothing special about Christmas, even for Buddhist who gets surrounded by ‘Christmasness’ come December. This Christmas was special though. Now we know in general that not only is everyday not Christmas for some, but the kind of festivity associated with that word is foreign to come every day of the year. There’s no Christmas, no Vesak and no Avurudu for some people. And that’s our Christmas story more..

Jan 2 (NS) From Colombo to Anuradhapura, then Vavuniya passing Medawachchiya and to few iconic towns like Omanthai, Killinochchi, Arali Point and the stunning arid view of Elephant Pass, a moment of beauty that one could never think of. Just wondered, “How cruel they were to kill such picturesqueness”. Trees still with bomb scars, “Thal” standing with much elegance, a true symbol of the North but leaves burnt and houses destroyed, yes it was quite astonishing to these eyes! . more..

Jan 2 (SO) Modern technology despite being an asset to man it adversely affects his health. Genetic engineering was introduced to boost productivity because limited land and crops are inadequate to provide food for the soaring population. In this regard, genetic engineering is applied not to increase the stocks of crops but to produce the maximum to cater to the food needs, a challenging task. more..

Jan 2 (CT) What promised to be a glorious era of splendour and plenty, of prosperity, peace and honesty, and sincerity has turned out unreservedly sour; the off-putting aroma of its after-breath is penetrating the gloomy air and suffocating the very nostrils that yearned for a sweeter fragrance. The promise has fallen flat; its weight seems too heavy for any reasonably strong man to bear and its lifetime short and temporary. With the passing of the year 2013, the dust and debris that more..

Jan 2 (CT) I commence here with the whole lot of close-up images snapped by Kanchan Prasad of Prasar Bharati and passed on to me at some point in 2010 or so. There may be others but these are the close-ups in my stock – where they are part of other photographs with more sweeping views of the flotsam and jetsam of the Last Redoubt between Nandikadal Lagoon and the sea. A selection from these other images can be found within these two items: Indian Reporter Pics at NFZ more..

Jan 2 (CT) UNP MP, Palitha Thevarapperuma alleged that Chairman of the Leadership Council, Karu Jayasuriya, asked him to suspend the fast he initiated demanding the immediate reopening of the Baduraliya Hospital, even before the issue was resolved, and attributed the reason to the fast against the closure of the hospital being covered widely by the media. "I was depressed. I was disappointed that he more..

Jan 2 (CT) Like all of my old Peradeniya friend Rajan Philips’s articles the above to which I offer a footnote, too, is lucid, intelligently provocative and incisive. There is, though one serious reservation that I have about it. Rajan has, perhaps out of his partiality to the ‘Old Left’, sought to glorify Dr. Colvin R. de Silva. In doing so, he has also sought to downplay what I like to term the decline and fall of the ‘Old Left’, especially in regard to its once principled and sacred stand on the parity of more..

Jan 2 (SL) Speeding on the well carpeted highways from Colombo to Jaffna last week, our memories went back about 40 years when we last visited the northern town to cover a visit of the then PM Sirima Bandaranaike for the Ceylon Daily News. Memories are dim and we have no records of our reports but we recall that with us was Wimal Weerasekera of the Dinamina, photographer D.B. Liyanage and ‘Mod Thiru’ of the Thinakaran. We called him ‘Mod Thiru’ because of his ‘with it’ sartorial styles. more..