Jan 21 (CI) Who would have thought that four days of dull Test cricket would suddenly transform into a thriller on day five at Sharjah Cricket Stadium? And, more surprisingly, who would expect Pakistan to become the fastest team to chase a target of 300-plus target in history? Both things happened, as Pakistan achieved a daunting total of 302 in 57.3 overs at 5.25 runs per over to level the series at 1-1 and stun Sri Lanka. It was truly, as described by Pakistan's captain, more..

Jan 21 (Island) I asked Tassie about his relationship to Lalith Athulathmudali. He said, "I am related to him by marriage. My wife and Srimani’s mother are cousins. I was extremely concerned about the death of Lalith and when I was co-opted to the team, I believe at the instance of Srimani but I was the first to resign as I knew the Commission was not interested in finding the truth. After me, the other two judges resigned, ostensibly for the same reason." Tassie, in his article, continues, more..

Jan 21 (FT) A record crowd of over 200 participants in Singapore will today listen to the post-war growth story and resultant future investment opportunities at a forum co-organised by the CSE and the SEC in association with Bloomberg Data services. Organisers said that around 220 fund managers, investment bankers, financial advisors and prospective investors have registered to attend the Invest Sri Lanka Forum more..

Jan 21 (DN) Sri Lanka is to participate as the partner nation in the world renowned Crafts Festival at Surajkund ('Lake of the Sun') in the State of Haryana in India from Feb 1 to 15. The 28th Surajkund International Crafts Mela has been organised by the Tourism Ministry of the State Government Haryana, India. This popular annual event is considered the largest handicraft exposition in the world, said National Crafts Council (NCC) Chairman Buddhi Keerthisena. more..

Jan 21 (ANI) Members of various student federations on Monday demanded the release of 46 Sri Lankan Tamil prisoners languishing in Australian jails, allegedly arrested while seeking asylum. Representatives met Australian Deputy Consul General for South India, Stuart Campbell, and gave him a petition to release 46 Sri Lankan Tamils who have been illegally detained. "Immediately release the 46 innocent Tamil people who are kept as life term prisoners in Australia. more..

Jan 21 (FT) Nearly five years since the end of the war, Minister Rauff Hakeem lamented that Sri Lanka is yet to overcome the perceived negativity linked to the 30 year old conflict but sounded a note of optimism that the country remains attractive for investors. “Although the Govt in its efforts to promote investments in post-conflict Sri Lanka is yet to overcome the perceived negativity associated with the 30 year war, the nation is more..

Jan 21 (CI) Pakistan's total of 302 is their second-highest fourth-innings score in a Test win, next only to the 315 for 9 they scored against Australia in Karachi in 1994, when they recovered from a first-innings deficit of 81 to win by one wicket. That wasn't such a straightforward win, though: needing 314 to win, Pakistan had slipped to 258 for 9, before Inzamam-ul-Haq combined with Mushtaq Ahmed to add 57 for the last wicket. Inzamam remained unbeaten on 58 in that game; more..

Jan 21 (CG) Sri Lanka has decided to oppose a draft proposal to be submitted to the ICC by three countries, including India, which looks to give those three countries greater rights in the ICC. The decision to oppose the draft proposal was taken at a meeting held this evening between Minister Aluthgamage and SLC. The proposal has been jointly drafted by India, England and Australia and under the proposal even future cricket tours will also be decided by the three countries. more..

Jan 21 (BN) Sri Lanka’s interest rates are at an appropriate level and the central bank probably will keep borrowing costs steady for the next three to six months if current conditions persist, Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal said. “There may be some other adjustments that we may need to make in the economy as we move on, but from the rates point of view, it seems appropriate in the current circumstances,” Cabraal said. more..

Jan 21 (DM) Syrian govt officials could face war crimes charges in the light of a huge cache of evidence smuggled out of the country showing the ‘systematic killing’ of about 11,000 detainees, according to three eminent international lawyers, led by Sri Lankan origin Sir Desmond de Silva. The authors, Sir Desmond de Silva QC, former chief prosecutor of the special court for Sierra Leone, Sir Geoffrey Nice QC, former lead prosecutor of former Yugoslavian president Milosevic, more..

Jan 21 (Island) As a result of the torrential rains in the Polonnaruwa district recently around 400 acres (45,000 bushels of paddy) of paddy in the Araganwila area had been completely destroyed. Polonnaruwa Divisional Officer H.K.P. Ranjanee said that in the wake of the heavy rains in the Polonnaruwa district, the rivulet connected to the Maduru-Oya had overflowed. As a result water could not be controlled and approximately 400 acres of paddy lands were destroyed. more..

Jan 21 (DN) Sri Lanka’s progress in many sectors of ocean-related development offers a striking example of a national agenda productively linked to international programs for strengthening the Blue Economy, Minister G.L. Peiris said in Abu Dhabi over the weekend. He was delivering the keynote address at the Blue Economy Summit in the UAE. He explained to the international audience the good use to which Sri Lanka more..

Jan 21 (Island) The high value Wallapatta tree inner bark which has caused quite a stir with many foreigners and locals attempting to smuggle it out of the country in recent months will be permitted to be exported in the future through commercial cultivation. The govt objective is to cultivate it in commercial quantities. At present it is found only in reserve forests in limited quantities. Accordingly, the authorities are planning to obtain Cabinet approval for legal export of this high demand for more..

Jan 21 (Hindu) DMK president M. Karunanidhi on Monday said the State govt had to clarify the reason behind the delay in convening a meeting between fishermen of Sri Lanka and India since Minister V. Narayanasamy held it responsible for the postponement. In a statement here, he had quoted Mr. Narayanasamy as saying that the Centre had taken one and a half years to arrange a meeting, but the Tamil Nadu govt had caused the delay. “The State govt has to clarify its stand,” he said. more..

Jan 21 (CI) Captain, Angelo Mathews, has denied that negative tactics led to his team's dramatic downfall in Sharjah and said his batsmen should have been "a bit more cautious" in the 2nd innings, which he believes cost Sri Lanka the match. SL had achieved an 87-run first innings lead, but scored at 1.87 runs an over on the fourth afternoon and evening, seemingly in an attempt to stall the game and preserve their 1-0 lead. more..

Jan 21 (DN) The Indian govt has agreed to join hands with the Sri Lankan govt to develop fish farming in the Indian Ocean while preserving the marine environment related to the Bay of Bengal, Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne said. Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khursid agreed to work jointly to develop the fisheries industry in both countries. "He agreed to develop fish farming around the Bay of Bengal while launching several projects in the Indian Ocean aimed at more..

Jan 21 (Island) The Public Service United Nurses Union (PSUNU) yesterday warned it would resort to trade union action if midwifery training for nurses was blocked. Deputy Chairman PSUNU Dayananda Boralessa said that 1,500 nurses who had already completed their nursing training had commenced the six-month training course in midwifery in all nurses training schools (NTS). The training would only enhance the quality of service provided by nurses to the public. more..

Jan 21 (IL) President Rajapaksa arrived in the UAE to attend the official opening ceremony of the 7th edition of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. President who left the island today (20) on a one-day official visit for UAE reached Abu Dhabi. Chairman of Department of Municipal Council Affairs Majid more..

Jan 21 (CG) Minister Mervyn Silva says he will not step down as the chief organizer of the SLFP for the Kelaniya electorate amidst demands by some SLFP members. He said that he was appointed by the President and so is answerable only to the President. Several SLFP local council members in Kelaniya are demanding that Minister Silva be removed from the post ahead of the WPC elections. Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha chairman Prasanna Ranaweera said that more..

Jan 21 (SM) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga has said that they have decided to call back their stars Lasith Malinga and Ajantha Mendis with immediate effect to Sri Lanka from Australia where they are currently playing in the cash-rich Big Bash T20 domestic league sources. It is said that they are to arrive at the island tomorrow. However, former skipper Thilakaratne Dilshan not being recalled from the Big Bash T20 tournament has set the rumour mill abuzz. more..

Jan 21 (Island) There was a risk of a fire breaking out at the coal fired plant at Norochcholai due to the large quantity of coal stored there weighing more than 600,000 MT, senior engineers said. The amount would continue to increase with ten more ships expected to unload within weeks, they said. The first phase 300MW or some 25% of the country’s power requirement has been out of order due to a breakdown on Jan 10 and more..

Jan 21 (CT) Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) and the govt are taking legal measures to seize a building and property worth Rs 30 million owned by a leading drug baron who is suspected of supplying drugs to all parts of the country, as well as to certain parts of Africa and the Middle East. Wasantha Mendis, who was a resident of Katubedda, has now been identified by the Police Narcotic Bureau as a leading drug smuggler whose operations were centred in the Southern Province. more..

Jan 21 (DM) Tale drama actress Ruwanthi Mangala and songstress Judith White (Ginger) are also among those contesting the forthcoming WPC election from the UPFA. These celebrities along with Hirunika Premachandra, Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga’s daughter Malsha Kumaratunga and actress Gayesha Perera faced the UPFA nomination board for interviews at the SLFP Headquarters today. Accordingly, Hirunika and Ginger will contest from the Kolonnawa electorate, more..

Jan 21 (CT) Deepening the rift between him and some quarters of the Buddhist clergy, PM launched another attack, and said, some cheewaradhariyas (men in robes) should be chased away in their loincloth. "Ruthless people who have descended from nowhere seem to be wearing robes and making irrelevant statements. That is why I wanted to introduce laws to stop frauds from donning the robe. more..

Jan 21 (DM) One of the urgent cures that Sri Lanka needs to bring about reconciliation after a bitterly fought war is the healing of memories. Though the war ended in May 2009, Sri Lanka is still reeling from the long suffering wounds caused by the war as well as the historical factors that led to such a violent outcome. Most observers would say that though we won the war four years ago we have more to do to achieve a sustainable peace with justice. more..

Jan 21 (DM) It is time now for elections again. In other words it is time now for lying in public forums, for deception of masses with false promises, for distribution of liquor to the supporters of political parties, for putting up posters even on walls of temples and for insulting, assaulting and even killing opponents. The authorities of the Elections Department would now tell us that they would not allow anybody to breach election laws, irrespective of his or her party or status. more..

Jan 21 (DM) Former UNP MP and diplomat Karunasena Kodithuwakku spoke to DM regarding the present political situation in the country, the upcoming provincial elections and the rumours about the presidential election. Being a former education minister of the UNP govt, he also expressed his views about the anomalies in the education sector. Q: Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena has said that more..

Jan 21 (Island) In view of over-visitation of the Yala National Park Block I, Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) has given serious thought to opening the remaining sections of the park to the public. DWC Director General, H.D Ratnayake said that Park had become overcrowded due to the large number of visitors entering it. Overcrowding not only caused inconvenience to visitors but also disturbed animals. more..

Jan 21 (SL) Billions of rupees have reportedly been swindled by a Secretary to an MP promising foreign employment to over 400 youths and the victims have been subjected from pillar to post with more redress. This allegedly has been operated from the MP’s official quarters at 7D Madiwela MPs Housing Complex. Secretary travels around in the MP’s Land Cruiser, surrounded by Ministerial Security Division personnel. more..

Jan 21 (Island) Two CID teams have been deployed and all police stations in the country alerted to arrest fugitive Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, Sampath Vidanapathirana, the main suspect in the murder of British national, Khuram Shaikh and rape of his Russian girlfriend at a Tangalle holiday resort on Christmas eve 2011, in accordance with the IGP’s vow to bring him in for failing to attend the murder trail. more..

Jan 21 (Island) UNP appealed to all Tamil parties to unite in the run-up to the next Western Provincial Council Election (WPCE), without walking into a trap laid by the govt for them go it alone and end up with no seats. UNP MP, R. Yogarajan addressing a press conference in Colombo, said that Rajapaksa regime had encouraged the National Union of Workers (NUW), Up Country People’s Front (UPF) and the Democratic People’s Front (DPF) more..

Jan 21 (ENS) Not a single fisherman from TN has been killed by the Sri Lankan Navy since April 2011 in Indian waters, the Central Govt has informed the Madras HC. Further no warships were being sold to Lanka and only Offshore Patrol Vehicles (OPVs) would be traded. The submissions were made in a counter affidavit filed by Mayank Joshi, Deputy Secretary (Sri Lanka) on behalf of the Union Ministries of more..

Jan 21 (Xinhua) The Sri Lankan navy arrested 25 Indian fishermen for entering Sri Lankan waters illegally, the navy said on Tuesday. The navy media unit said that the fishermen were arrested when they crossed the international maritime boundary line in the north of the country. The fishermen and their boats are to be handed over to the authorities to decide on the next course of action. The arrest was the first since more..

Jan 21 (ST) An unprecedented number of positions in Sri Lanka’s once-respected diplomatic corps has been parcelled out to friends, relatives and loyalists of the ruling party. This extraordinary rise in nepotism and political favouritism has spawned conspiracy theories with several popular websites stating that the Govt intends to dismantle the Sri Lanka Foreign Service (SLFS) altogether. more..

Jan 21 (CG) The army says steps would be taken to further reduce the number of security points manned by the army in Jaffna. The Ministry of Defence quoted the Commander of the Jaffna Security Forces, Major General Udaya Perera, as saying that a number of security points manned by the army have been removed considering the peaceful environment prevailing in Jaffna. He said that steps would be taken to withdraw more..

Jan 21 (CNBC) Should Sri Lanka's market be on your radar after its strong start to the year bucked the downtrend in most emerging markets? The Colombo market's All-Share Index has tacked on around 4% so far in January after gaining nearly 5% in 2013, even as many of its regional counterparts have lost ground. Additionally, while many regional markets experienced outflows of foreign funds last year amid concerns more..

Jan 21 (CT) Sri Lanka's health statistics, such as infant mortality and maternal mortality and so forth, rival those of the developed world. Simultaneously, in other statistics such as child malnutrition, we perform no better than Sub Saharan Africa. The malnutrition prevalence; weight for age (percentage of children under 5) in Sri Lanka was 21.60 in 2009, according to the World Bank. Without the concerted investment in the health sector since independence and to a certain extent since the colonial era more..

Jan 21 (CT) From the year 590 to 1517 the Roman Catholic Church had dominated the Western World. Securely entrenched in power the pope and the priests had successfully brainwashed an ignorant population to accept everything the hierarchy did. Having got this power and hold over its followers the Church unleashed a regime of corruption that was designed to pamper the senses of the Holy Rulers. This was a period when the Catholic Church was absolutely sick. more..

Jan 21 (Island) The new Maldivian President Abdullah Yameen accompanied by first lady First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim and a high level Ministerial delegation, are scheduled to arrive in Colombo today, for a three day state visit. A highlight of Yameen’s first visit to Colombo since being elected President would be the finalization of three bilateral agreements and his address to a high profile Forum organized by the Sri Lanka-Maldives Business Council, which would discuss ways to more..