July 23 (Island) Some junior Prison Officers have combined themselves together to reveal to the media, if the former Tanglle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman. Sampath Vidhanapathirana, who was sentenced to 20 years rigorous imprisonment gets any special treatment at the prison. These junior officers have more confidence about the media and they are not in good terms with the high officials. They revealed to The Island that any special treatment in terms of food or lodging more..

July 23 (Island) The exact weight of the heroin retrieved from three plastic moulding machines imported from Pakistan was 93 kilos and 760 grammes with a street value of Rs. 656.32 million. Customs were retrieving heroin secreted in the three machines the previous night and they had only got one machines examined by the time yesterday’s edition went to press. The importer had hired a registered company with Customs, Glamour Fashion, and it had been registered under more..

July 23 (Island) Had the Sri Lankan govt fulfilled its commitments and addressed contentious issues it wouldn't have been in crisis today and, therefore, the ruling coalition should accept the responsibility for the current situation, TNA leader, R. Sampanthan said. He said President Rajapaksa had repeatedly assured India of his commitment to 13 Amendment and in some instances even talked of 13 Amendment Plus. more..

July 23 (DM) Speaking to the media in Colombo, soon after the verdict on British Red Cross worker Khuram Shaikh was delivered on Friday, the brother of Khuram, Nasser Shaikh, said that he was “not ready to forgive the initial delays involved with the prosecution of his brother’s murder,” that took close to two and a half years before a trial date was set for the case. No doubt, this remark was a clear indictment on the law enforcement mechanism in Sri Lanka. more..

July 23 (DM) All indications of certain societal decay are present; the symptoms of a terminal sickness are frighteningly manifest in the body politic of the country. Yet no one, no physician, no surgeon, no psychiatrist or any other medical practitioner or a social scientist has diagnosed the illness. Every symptom is pointing towards a cancerous malady in the making, the progressive indices of which have been evident for quite some time but has evaded studied investigations by any expert. more..

July 23 (SL) The problem of combating the dengue virus needs the cooperation of all concerned, the Director of the Epidemiological Unit of the Ministry of Health, Dr Paba Palihawadane said, and added there is a downward trend at present compared to the month of June when the issue peaked, and compared it to the situation in 2009 when the highest number of cases was reported. Commenting on obtaining data on the number of cases, more..

July 23 (AM) Thawheed Jamaath, a hardcore Muslim organization operating in Sri Lanka, has said that they need the support of Muslim countries in the World to protect the Muslims living in Sri Lanka. Speaking to Aljazeera news channel a few days ago, a leader of the Thawheed Jamaath organization had indicated they were no longer in a position to rely on the Sri Lankan govt, especially when it came to the security of Muslims. more..

July 23 (ST) Animal trainer and zoo keeper Tilak Perera who reported to work last Thursday discovered something unusual near a gate – a tied up pillow case in which there was movement. Mr. Perera was explaining how a venomous albino snake that went missing from the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens was found four days later. “I was walking in to the animal training place to report around 8 a.m. My first priority was to see if more..

July 23 (DM) Dr. Subramanian Swamy - Chairman, BJP Committee on Strategic Action and Member of BJP’s National Executive Committee in an exclusive interview spoke candidly on what to expect in changes to India’s foreign policy under PM Modi’s administration and on India’s support to Sri Lanka. Q In your opinion how do you think Foreign Policy under the Modi-govt would change in comparison to the previous govt? more..

July 23 (CG) A group of MPs from the Govt and the opposition have expressed regret over the incidents of July 1983 and called for trust to be restored between all communities in Sri Lanka. MPs representing the Young Political Leaders Forum of Sri Lanka (YPLF) said that 31 years after the July 1983 riots they strongly believe Sri Lanka has the opportunity to restore trust between its people and progress towards national unity. more..

July 23 (AM) The Health Ministry of Sri Lanka is now exploring the possibility of presenting a bill to Parliament making it compulsory for cigarette companies to have 80% pictorial warnings on cigarette packs. Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, addressing a press briefing in Colombo, yesterday stated that he was dissatisfied with the Supreme Court’s decision which allowed 60% pictorial warnings on cigarette packs. more..

July 23 (CI) Sri Lanka's visually impaired cricket team has had its bid to attend the World Cup for the Blind in South Africa bolstered, thanks to funds raised by Sri Lanka Cricket and the visiting South Africa team. SLC and Standard Chartered had organised three fundraisers for the Sri Lanka Visually Handicapped XI. Angelo Mathews presented the Sri Lanka Visually Handicapped XI a cheque for the 925,000 Sri Lankan rupees more..

July 23 (CG) A British Parliament committee has found that weapons exports to Sri Lanka from Britain has increased despite Sri Lanka being listed as a country of concern by Britain over the human rights issue. The Committees on Arms Export Controls said in a report published today that the value of extant licences to Sri Lanka has risen from £8.1m (49 licences) to £49.6m (79 licences) – a rise of 614%. more..

July 23 (CG) The army denied claims it was in the process of measuring privately owned land in Jaffna to build new army camps. Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasooriya said that privately owned land in Achuveli and Mirusuvil is being measured to pay compensation to the land owners. He denied claims that the land was newly taken over by the army and insisted that whatever is now in the possession of the army has been given more..

July 23 (ENS) In a landmark ruling on Monday, Supreme Court bench has allowed animal sacrifice in Hindu temples while laying down conditions under which the ritual could be performed. On an appeal filed by the trustees of the Bhadrakali Amman Kovil located at Munneswaram, north of Colombo, CJ Mohan Peiris said that he was not inclined to ban animal sacrifice because the practice was more than a hundred years old. more..

July 23 (CT) The more things change, the more they remain the same. One is reminded of the old French proverb as another 23 July rolls by, marking the 31st anniversary of what could be the darkest chapter of Sri Lanka's post-colonial history. The semantics of how the violence is referred to by the two involved communities - as a 'pogrom' by the Tamils and as an 'ethnic riot' by the Sinhalese – are as significant as the bloodshed and mayhem that changed the course of course of the country's history. more..

July 23 (CT) By now, the readers know my preoccupation with food, beverages and politics (FBP). And, as the name of my column suggests, I am often on the move. I am writing this column from another location, after a day’s travel from Sri Lanka and I must admit that I am have not fully recovered from jet-lag, at the time of writing this column. I am in The Hague where there are a couple of outfits that mete out justice to the rest of the world. In other words, these are the Global Judges, more..

July 23 (CI) Sri Lanka like to begin Test series in Galle because they feel they can win there. In the past they have arrived at the SSC on a 1-0 cushion, and been happy to see a flat deck on which they can suck the life out of the series, and demoralise the opposition attack. In the past few years, however, there has been a shift. Sri Lanka no longer have a bowler who dominates visiting batsmen from the first day of a series until its more..

July 23 (LBO) Sri Lanka's shares closed 0.18% lower with index heavy John Keells losing ground despite net foreign buying, brokers said. All Share Price Index closed 12.39 points lower at 6,783.98, down 0.18%. The S&P SL20 closed 14.01 points lower at 3,775.14, down 0.37%. Turnover was 1.03 billion rupees, down from 1.42 billion rupees a day earlier with 113 stocks closed positive against 89 negative. National Development Bank closed 2.60 rupees higher at 211.80 rupees with more..

July 23 (Island) The Supreme Court directed the Judicial Medical Officer of the National Hospital Colombo, and the JMOs of the Remand Prison to submit for the perusal of the court, medical reports pertaining to university students, Nadeesh Chathuranga and Hashan Wijesinghe, allegedly assaulted by officers of the Slave Island Police Station, in mid May 2014. The aforesaid undergrads are Nadeesh Chathuranga, who had sustained injuries in his eye and Hashan Wijesinghe more..

July 23 (AM) Criticizing the present economic policy of the govt, Minister Champika Ranawaka said that an innovation-driven knowledge economy is more suitable for Sri Lanka than a recreation-based ‘rainbow economy’. He made these remarks addressing a conference at the NSF. Ranawaka is known to be a critic of the strategic development act which was presented to the parliament by ruling party a few months ago. more..

July 23 (Island) The truth behind the attack on the then police constable Sumith Saman and arson attack on his Nano car while reporting to work on the night of May 30, will be known before the end of this week. SSP Ajith Rohana said that the investigation conducted by a special team of Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) had been concluded, but they were waiting for a few medical reports. Asked whether any suspects had been arrested in connection with the incident as better part of the investigation more..

July 23 (Island) Colombo High Court Judge, Wimal Nambuwasam, on Monday acquitted and discharged from all charges of Bribery and corruption the Principal of the Maha Maya Balika Vidyalaya, Nugegoda and the deputy principal the same school. The principal is U. A. Hewawasam Sriyani Chandrika and the deputy Principal Sumana Galagedara. They had been indicted on Feb 19, 2008 for accepting a bribe of Rs. 15,000 to admit a child to Grade One. more..

July 23 (DM) Former Sri Lanka captain Marvan Atapattu may have coached Sri Lanka to their first ever Test series win in England barely a month ago when they won all Tests, ODI and T20 formats, but Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) officials showed that they are still not happy with him as they decided to publish advertisements shortly calling for applications for the post of national coach. SLC Executive Committee which met yesterday more..

July 23 (Island) International experts have joined hands with the Centre for Environment and Nature Studies (CENS) to oppose the proposed Theberton Mini Hydro Power Plant to be undertaken by Sapthakaanya Company on the Maskeliya River directly above the Laxapana Waterfall. Proposed hydro power projects that would destroy the Peak Wilderness Sanctuary the Kelani River, alleges Patrick Kirkby, Project Manager and Environmental Ambassador– BudderUp. more..

July 23 (IANS) TN Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa has requested PM Narendra Modi to intervene and secure the release of Indian fishermen and their fishing boats from Sri Lankan custoday. In a letter to Modi Tuesday, text of which was released to the media here Wednesday, Jayalalithaa said: "I once again request your immediate intervention to secure the release of the 43 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu and their 55 fishing boats, including the 46 mechanised fishing boats, more..

July 23 (CG) The Madras High Court Bench wants to know if the Indian Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) had informed Chief Minister Jayalalithaa that the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) had entered into a commercial deal with the Sri Lankan govt last year only for supply of two Offshore Patrol Vehicles (OPVs) used for surveillance and rescue operations and not warships fitted with weapons and sensors, The Hindu newspaper reported. more..

July 23 (DM) The Customs Revenue Task Force discovered 27,000 kilogrammes of fraudulently imported Turmeric from India in two containers, Customs Spokesman Leslie Gamini said. ”The consignment had been declared as rice, defrauding Rs. 5.6 million of tax revenue,” he said. “The 27000 kilogrammes of Turmeric consignment is valued at about Rs.9.5 million and the total value of the goods were Rs.10.5 million. The defrauded revenue is Rs. 5.5 million of tax,” he said. more..

July 23 (SM) Despite claims by the government that the controversial Venigross factory at Rathupaswala has been closed, the petitioners at a court case have claimed otherwise. When the court of appeal took up the case, the state counsel said the factory had been relocated at Biyagama export processing zone. However, lawyers for the factory said steps have been taken to sell it to a third party. The petitioners challenged the claims and said the factory was still in operation. more..

July 23 (CG) Govt informed Parliament that the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) earned approximately Rs. 16,000 as revenue during the month of May. Responding to a question posed by UNP MP Dr. Harsha de Silva, Minister Priyankara Jayarathne said that it will take time for the airport to earn its full potential. He said that according to details in his possession in Parliament today, more..

July 23 (Island) Minister A.H.M. Fowzie charged that Deputy Minister Abdul Cader fifty-fifty on Haj quotas, and when it was turned down he had teamed up with some tour operators to discredit him over the selection process. "These quotas are not for charity or for distribution in Colombo and Galle and besides there is a committee of five including Cader to decide," he said. Fowzie said that Cader avoided the crucial meeting and went on complaining against him to the PM. more..

July 23 (GDI) A group of members from India’s BJP, including the Chairman of BJP’s Committee on Strategic Action and Former Union Minister Dr. Subramanian Swamy, met Minister Basil Rajapaksa at Ministry Premises, on Tuesday. Following a warm welcome, matters of mutual interests and Economic development programmes were discussed during the meeting between the Minister Rajapaksa and BJP representatives. The other BJP members who participated in the meeting with more..

July 23 (DM) European Union today asked Sri Lanka to guarantee the freedom for functioning of NGOs, days after the govt imposed restrictions on their activities. Statement from the EU of Sri Lanka said they were very concerned about the recent efforts to restrict legitimate public activities of civil society and NGOs in Sri Lanka. "We urge the Sri Lankan authorities to respect the right of every individual to exercise their freedom more..

July 23 (Hindu) India has agreed to upgrade facilities at 70 child development centers in Sri Lanka’s estate regions, where a sizeable number of Tamils of Indian origin work. Indian High Commissioner Y.K. Sinha signed an agreement with a private company on Tuesday, for the project that will be implemented at an estimated cost of LKR 58 million (approximately Rs. 27 million), and will cover seven estate regions - Hatton, Galle, Kandy, Ratnapura, Galle, Badulla and Kegalle. more..

July 23 (YP) The family of murdered Sri Lankan university graduate Thavisha Pereis today said the conviction of his two killers had brought them “some form of solace” after his death. The 25-year-old, who on his last shift as a pizza delivery man before starting a dream job in IT, was stabbed repeatedly while in his car as he made the final delivery of his shift on October 27 last year in Sheffield. He was stabbed through the heart by two robbers trying to steal his mobile phone. more..

July 23 (Reuters) Sri Lanka's cycling team took to the open road for training at the Commonwealth Games but prompted a police response as they rode along one of Scotland's busiest motorways on Wednesday. Four cyclists, wearing Sri Lankan team training jerseys, travelled along the M74, braving 70 mile per hour traffic and the wrath of Scottish police since bicycles are banned on motorways. more..

July 23 (DM) Senior-most vocalist Kalabushana Vincent de Paul Peiris of ‘Siri Pade Samanala Kanda Pene’ fame passed away late last night at the age of 92. The legendary singer went down history a couple of years ago when he held a significant musical event here featuring his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren on stage. Vincent who was born on Nov 3, 1922, is known for hits like Bicycale Bicycale, Dumriya Lankawe, Shobama Me Ude, Mihintale Poson Dine, more..

July 23 (DN) There should be an inquiry on the inquiry’ said Member European Parliament (MEP) Niranjan Deva Additiya when he was interviewed on the SLBC program People’s Power. MEP Deva Additiya said this when he was asked whether the UNHRC (UN Human Rights Commission) initiated investigation on alleged human rights violations in the last phase of the hostilities is tantamount to a witch hunt due to the way the probe Committee has been constituted. more..

July 23 (CI) Marvan Atapattu's tenure as acting head coach has been extended until the end of the Pakistan tour in August, while SLC call for applications for the position in the interim. Atapattu is among the frontrunners to be appointed in the role, but although the tour of England and the present series against South Africa have served as a long audition, SLC's executive committee has decided to open the door to other candidates. more..

July 23 (Hindu) Chef Saiju Thomas is pleased as Punch at the response to the Sri Lankan Food festival, which he has curated, is drawing. Ergo he is planning to extend the festival that is to conclude on July 27. Till it is on it will serve diners with true-blue Lankan fare. Saiju worked in a Caribbean cruise liner with a Lankan cuisine speciality restaurant where he honed his skills at this cuisine. Sea food, he says forms the staple diet of the islanders. Coconut is most commonly used and more..