Nov 8 (CT) It is reported in the media that President Rajapaksa has referred to the Supreme Court for its opinion the question of his own competency to contest a further term, and that the Registrar of the Court, on the instructions of the Chief Justice, has written to the President of the Bar Association of SL inviting submissions in writing but denying an opportunity to make oral arguments in Court. Furthermore, submissions are required to be submitted to Court no later than 3 pm on more..

Nov 8 (SO) Today's world is meticulously searching for eco-friendly technologies while heading towards a sustainably developed country. Happy people, lovely environment and elevated living standards have become the yardsticks of today's development. It is well understood in today's context that balance between environment conservation and achieving high developments, is not only a task of one more..

Nov 8 (GV) As the Women’s Coalition for Disaster Management, Batticaloa, we wish to express our sincere condolences to the people who perished in the landslide disaster in the villages of Kotabathma Grama Niladhari division of Haldumulla DS Division in the Badulla District. We also express our support to the people who survived. We deeply appreciate the commitment and work of all the govt officials, civil society organizations and individuals who have responded to this tragedy. more..

Nov 8 (GV) The deadly mudslide hit the Meeriyabedda tea plantation near the town of Haldummulla, about 200km east of the capital Colombo, on Wednesday (29) morning. Part of a mountainside crashed into the tea estate, burying some of the workers’ homes in 9m (30ft) of mud and debris. An estimated 100 people are still listed as missing, the national Disaster Management Centre (DMC) says – locals say the figure is about 200. Hundreds of troops have been using heavy more..

Nov 8 (FT) Estate companies which fail to provide alternative housing for people in landslide prone areas will be taken over by the Government, asserted Minister of Disaster Management Mahinda Amaraweera, pointing out that the majority of estate companies have not provided ‘suitable’ land and as a result people have refused to leave the areas despite impending dangers. Minister further pointed out that people have more..

Nov 8 (NS) Six years, one month and a few days. That was when I was in the Old Country last. Didn’t take me long to realize that someone has done a job on the old place. It started with the airport. Hardly any dust, clean, duty free area brilliant, porters in uniform, no misplaced luggage (last time it took me 4 days to get my luggage) and nobody ransacked my baggage asking whether I had anything to declare. It was a very pleasant landing in the Old Country after a long flight and 9 long hours in more..

Nov 8 (NS) Private art galleries are a common sight in the developed world. Well-known artists have put up their own galleries which are open even on holidays to cater to the art loving public, These galleries are very popular among art connoisseurs because of their accessibility and homeliness. Public art galleries, on the other hand, are open on specific days and they open only when there is an exhbition. Private art galleries have a special attraction to the viewer as they are more user-friendly. more..

Nov 8 (FT) Hayleys PLC, one of Sri Lanka’s leading conglomerates, in a filing to the Colombo Stock Exchange reported healthy growth in 1H of 2014/15. The Group achieved revenue growth of 15% amounting to Rs. 45.5 b in 1H 2014/15, whilst Profit After Taxation (PAT) grew 30% in the second quarter contributing to a PAT of Rs. 2 b in 1H. Issuing a statement, Hayleys said overall growth stemmed from sustained performance growth in key sectors, driven primarily by Hand Protection more..

Nov 8 (Island) On reading Police Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana’s response to our query why no action had been taken against the Ministerial Security Division (MSD) personnel found at a nightclub with Minister Mervyn Silva’s son Malaka during last Saturday’s brawl, tears rolled down our cheeks with the corners of our mouths trembling in our attempts not to cry. Our tears were for the police. SSP Rohana sees nothing wrong with MSD guards protecting politicians’ offspring who, more..

Nov 8 (CT) French Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Jean-Paul Monchau, in an interview with Ceylon Today said France still wants to know what happened to the 17 aid workers attached to French NGO, Action Contre La Faim, who were killed in Muttur in 2006. “I have mentioned several times to Minister G.L. Peiris, and to the former Attorney General about the Muttur case. I met the A.G. once in three months and now I have taken more..

Nov 7 (Island) These days there is much criticism about the Foreign service – a service which was second only to the former Ceylon Civil Service and consisting of outstanding persons of intellect selected through a competitive exam. Chris Nonis affair has shown how a bunch of thugs have taken over the once hallowed foreign service. But it is these public services that held the country together and allowed the country to command respect from the international community. more..

Nov 7 (Island) This is all we need for a better police service. What is it? A new police uniform! What’s more, we are told it will be a people friendly uniform. Why should the police wear a people friendly uniform and not a police friendly one? How can a new uniform change the police to being people friendly and not politico friendly, as they are seen today? That will remain a puzzle to be resolved later. But do you think a new uniform will make the police less politico friendly & as they are seen more..

Nov 7 (Island) As "YAL DEVI" steamed triumphantly into Jaffna my mind went back to a visit I made there in 2012. It was a road trip as a. rail track to Jaffna was then a distant dream. Vacationing here were family members from UK and Canada and two van loads of eager "tourists" interested in seeing what was taking place in the North since the end of the conflict set out on what turned out to be an unforgettable experience. more..

Nov 8 (Island) I have sought an explanation for the anti-Muslim campaign, and I will now conclude this series of articles with some observations on the corrective action that might be taken over it. But first I must make a clarification of my metaphor of the cross roads. Traditionally our Muslims played a marginal role in politics, focusing on their religious and business interests, and their strategy was one of political quietism. That was appropriate in a period when the center of gravity of more..

Nov 8 (Island) Expolanka Holdings PLC recorded a revenue ofRs. 25,305 Mn and a PAT of Rs. 352 Mnfor the first six months of the financial year 2014/15. For the second quarter of the same financial year, the Group posted a revenue of Rs 12,917 Mn and a net profit of Rs. 158 Mn. The recorded Net Profit attributable to Equity holders of the Group was Rs. 134 Mn in comparison to the Rs. 342 Mn recorded during the corresponding period last year. During the said quarter, more..

Nov 8 (Island) A feminine touch has been welcomed by the traditionally male-dominated estate sector, with a pioneering initiative by a Regional Plantation Company to empower and develop female field officers receiving the strong support and commendation of the company’s female workers. Kahawatte Plantations which pioneered the concept now employs 20 female field officers and assistant field officers in total, who clad in more..

Nov 8 (Island) Having understood the importance of contemporary IT education, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) together with the Department of Accounting of the University of Sri J'pura will commence a Diploma in Computer Based Accounting, which will help students enjoy better employment prospects. The one year long diploma programme has been designed to provide students with an additional qualification for the promotion of better more..

Nov 8 (FT) The President of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, Dr. Prathiba Mahanamahewa said freedom to information should be a universal concept, while addressing the media in Matara yesterday. “In the primitive ages no-one spoke of human rights violations but now society is more civilised and human rights and HR violations are spoken of and reported daily,” he said. “Every living being has a right to live. The Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Islamic scriptures speak of more..

Nov 8 (CI) Are Sri Lanka's hearts really in this series? While most teams talk themselves up pre-series, hitting upbeat, media-friendly buzzwords like "confident", "focused" and "refreshed", Sri Lanka were throwing around "under-prepared" and "challenging" before they set out for India. The first two matches have not dispelled this idea. India have been polished and dynamic, finding fresh performers in the likes of Akshar Patel and Rayudu more..

Nov 8 (DM) CIC Agri Produce Export (Pvt) Ltd, a part of CIC Agri Businesses recently won a highly acclaimed gold award in the Agriculture Value Added Small Category at the 22nd National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) Awards Ceremony. CIC has previously been awarded a gold award and silver award in 2012 and 2011 respectively in the same category. CIC Agri Produce Export (Pvt) Ltd, produces rice of the highest quality for both the local and export markets. more..

Nov 8 (AT) Deputy Minister Neomal Perera, participating in expression of solidarity with the Landlocked Developing Countries in South Asia and other regions, at the 2nd UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC) held in Vienna, stressed that as a country committed to the principle of non-alignment, "Sri Lanka pursues an approach, which emphasizes enmity towards none and friendship towards all." Neomal Perera, visited Austria from 3rd to 5th Nov. more..

Nov 8 (National) The last seven of the Sri Lankan refugees who were given a haven in the UAE for more than two years will leave for a new life in Brazil on Monday. The four men, two women and a child said they were overjoyed that the UN had found them a permanent home. They were among 45 Tamils whose boat ran into trouble after they sailed from India in Oct 2012 to seek asylum in Australia. “I feel like I am being reborn,” more..

Nov 8 (DM) Three Turkish men were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) last night on charges of fraudulently withdrawing money by using fake credit cards. Two suspects, Burk Rakkhan and Yollu Yigarr were arrested last night at Pamankada while the other suspect Subar Khan Hakan was arrested this morning at the Bandaranaike International Airport. Four fake credit cards and Rs. 350, 000 had also been taken into the custody from their possession by the CID. more..

Nov 8 (DN) Sri Pada season 2014/2015 will commence on December 6 with the dawn of Unduwap Full Moon Poya Day and end Vesak Full Moon Poya in May 2015, Sri Padasthana Chief Incumbent and Uva - Wellassa University Chancellor Dhammadinna Thera said. Addressing a discussion on arrangements for the pilgrim season and providing facilities to pilgrims held at the Nallathaniya Health Centre recently, the prelate said development projects in the Sri Pada route more..

Nov 8 (AT) Ms. Mahishaa Balraj and Mr. Senel Wanniarachchi, Sri Lanka’s Official Youth Delegates to the United Nations for the year 2014, attended the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Selected by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development of Sri Lanka Ms. Balraj and Mr. Wanniarachchi were officially mandated to represent the children and youth of Sri Lanka in the national delegation to UNGA more..

Nov 8 (CT) President was pushed to seek an opinion on the third term from the Supreme Court by those who made a simple issue complicated, said Attorney-at-Law, Gomin Dayasiri. He pointed out that the President himself sought the Court's opinion as those who had brought up the issue had refused to do so. "The President, through seeking an opinion, is taking away the option of those parties to seek the Courts soon after nominations for the election are handed over," said Dayasiri. more..

Nov 8 (CT) The special committee appointed by the IGP to investigate whether the authorities had pre-warned the people in Haldummulla-Meeriyabedda about an impending landslide at Koslanda, has concluded its investigations. The report prepared by ASP Ranjith Kottachchi has been referred to DIG Uva to make his observations. According to the police, 10 were killed and another 38 were missing, in the landslide tragedy. The final report, with appropriate observations, more..

Nov 8 (KSA) An NGO in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu is trying to help Sri Lankan war refugees who fled there come home, five years after the ethnic conflict ended. Many of the more than 100,000 Sri Lankan refugees still living in TN want to be repatriated, S.C. Chandrahasan, treasurer for the non-profit known as the Organisation for Elangai Refugees Rehabilitation (OfERR), told Khabar South Asia. more..

Nov 8 (DN) Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) has successfully completed the first three phases of the Economic Census with field activities on the final phase beginning this month, said DCS Director General D.C.A. Gunawardane. “The Economic Census comprises of four phases, namely, listing of all agricultural estates (over 20 acres) during the first phase, Listing of Industry, Trade and service activities at the second phase, detailed data collection from Agricultural more..

Nov 8 (CT) Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena, said he will resign from his post immediately if the Opposition could present documentation proving that the Hambantota Port has been given to China as claimed by the UNP. He said this in response to UNP MP, Niroshan Perera, who asked whether it was at least notified to the Cabinet of Ministers before entering into an agreement to hand over the ownership of the Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port (MMRP) to China. more..

Nov 8 (Island) Attempts by lawyers to file motions in the Supreme Court contending that President Rajapaksa was not eligible to seek a third term had been thwarted by the Registrar, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) said yesterday. President of the BASL, Upul Jayasuriya said the reason that had been given for not accepting the motions was that the hearing on the reference by President Rajapaksa seeking a determination whether more..

Nov 8 (Island) Attorney-at-Law Lalith U. Gamage of Galle has, in his written submissions to the Supreme Court, said that the incumbent President, Mahinda Rajapaksa was formerly sworn in fo the second term on Nov 19, 2010 and the 18th Amendment came into effect on Sept 10, 2010. Accordingly, the issue of retrospective application does not arise at all and it is totally irrelevant for the President’s right to contest for a third time. President Rajapaksa’s second term of office commenced more..

Nov 8 (DN) British High Commissioner John Rankin who visited the area in Uva the Chief of the Adivasi tribe Uruwarige Wannila Eththo calls home, after meeting the Vedda chieftain, was on his way to the Badulla residence of the Opposition Leader of the Uva Province Harin Fernando recently. Fernando had sent a vehicle to show him the way as the British High Commissioner was confused with directions to the road leading to his residence. The two vehicles were moving in close proximity more..

Nov 8 (PTI) UNHRC panel to probe alleged human rights abuses during final stages of armed conflict in Sri Lanka will continue to seek access to the country despite its refusal to allow them into the nation. Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) was empowered by the UNHRC resolution late March to carry out an independent investigation into alleged rights abuses during Sri Lanka's final stages of the war with the LTTE more..

Nov 8 (DM) The 2015 Budget provides unprecedented relief measures which former National Cricket Captain Sanath Jayasuriya in symbolic language has described as a Man of the Match all-round performance – good in batting, bowling and fielding. Cricket apart, with its business and match-fixing agendas, the reality for millions of people is that the cost of living is soaring above and beyond political boundaries. Now we are facing a graver and deadlier fact – the cost of dying more..

Nov 8 (DM) Nov 8 marks yet another important day in the field of modern medicine as it signifies International Day of Radiology (IdoR). This was the day Wilhelm Röntgen discovered X-rays in 1895. Medical imaging or Radiology which is one of the most exciting and progressive disciplines in medicine and a field of great activity in terms of research. X-rays, contrast examinations using X-ray dye, MRI scans, ultrasound & many other medical imaging techniques, as well as more..

Nov 8 (DM) Provincial Councils were introduced in 1988 in order to devolve powers to the provinces while the Centre retained subjects such as police, finance and lands. As regards devolution, the role of successive governments does not seem to be impressive despite the fact that millions of tax payers’ money has been expended to maintain 225 MPs and nearly 300 provincial councillors for provincial administration. more..

Nov 8 (SL) Former media coordinator of the Democratic Party (DP) Sanjeewa Samarasinghe indicated that he believes DP leader Sarath Fonseka is behind his arrest and CID interrogation and was trying to manipulate the situation to gain some political mileage, especially internationally. Speaking to The Sunday Leader he said, three months after his leaving the Sarath Fonseka’s media coordinator position, more..

Nov 8 (ST) Stroke rights are consistent with human rights is the simple fact that was reiterated when the Global Stroke Bill of Rights was launched in Colombo on Wednesday – World Stroke Day. The National Stroke Association of Sri Lanka (NSASL) presented the Stroke Bill of Rights not only in English but also in Sinhala and Tamil to Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena at a ceremony at the Health Education Bureau (HEB). more..