Oct 18 (DM) While condemning the decision taken by the European Union to end the ban on LTTE, the BBS said the govt should take steps to curb separatist elements that were still active in the country. BBS Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera said Govt should first take action to control groups that were helping the LTTE within the country. “The extremists groups who create problems to divide the country are still active and this decision by EU is a great opportunity for more..

Oct 18 (Hindu) Fishermen leaders of Northern Sri Lanka have sought legal action to deter Indian fishermen from illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters. They said Indian fishermen — apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy for fishing illegally in Sri Lankan waters — were handed over to the police or the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and produced before the nearest magistrate court. They were subsequently charged under more..

Oct 18 (DM) Sabaragamuwa University students who had defied orders to leave their hostels within the university premises were ordered to be removed by the Balangoda District Judge. The university administration decided to close down the university on Oct 5 until further notice and had ordered all students to leave their hostels. However several students had been remaining in the hostels despite the decision to close down the university due to an issue over hostels. more..

Oct 18 (Island) The Presidential Commission to Investigate into Complaints Regarding Missing Persons will conduct Public Sittings in the Mullaitivu District as follows: Nov 2 and 3, 2014– Maritimepattu DS Office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov 4– Oddusudan DS Office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov 5– Oddusudan DS Office from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Complaints from the Grama niladari Divisions of Maritimepattu and Oddusudan who have been invited to attend the sittings are kindly requested to more..

Oct 18 (DM) Railway Department has earned over Rs. 3 million in four days from trains running along the newly-restored northern line to Jaffna, Superintendent of Railways G.W. Sisira Kumara said. The average income from the air-conditioned inter-city express was Rs. 5 lakhs. “This is a generous income. We get a fair income from the normal express trains as well,” he said. This however had not earned in a huge profit for more..

Oct 18 (CG) Tamil Nadu political parties that back the LTTE have become vociferous in their demand for lifting the ban on the outfit after the European Court of Justice (ECJ) asked the Council of European Union to quash restrictive measures imposed on it in 2006. PMK founder S. Ramadoss said India should take its cue from the ECJ’s directive. He said 27 EU countries would lift the ban, and the prospects were high for the LTTE to get a similar relief in U.S. and Canada. more..

Oct 18 (ENS) EU court, which struck down the sanctions imposed on the LTTE by the EU in 2006, had its own reasons to do so. Significantly, the court has not lifted the freezing of the assets owned by the banned organisation. EU had proscribed the LTTE after countries like the US and Canada had declared it a terrorist organisation. Though the LTTE was defeated and its leadership destroyed by the SL forces in 2009, it continues to remain banned in countries like India, the US, the UK and SL. more..

Oct 18 (AN) The Sri Lankan govt brushed aside allegations made by a group of Buddhist monks in Colombo on Thursday on the abuse of housemaids in the Kingdom. Strong allegations against the abuse of Sri Lankan housemaids by Saudi sponsors were made by a group of 20 Buddhist monks of Ravana Balaya led by its General Secretary Iththakande Saddhatissa Thera when it visited the SLBFE in Colombo on Thursday. more..

Oct 18 (DM) Yesterday was the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. It is a good time to reflect on the historical fact that poverty could be alleviated or eradicated not just by doling out money, grants, loans or subsidies but by identifying, challenging and breaking down the structures of crass capitalism. The widely read and widely respected Guardian newspaper in a report this week quoted some shocking figures from Credit Suisse, a Switzerland-based multinational financial services more..

Oct 18 (CT) With Presidential Elections round the corner, unions are agitating for a salary hike. JVP firebrand K.D. Lal Kantha is reported to have had said that with elections pending, imputing that it's the expected presidential election, that now is a good time for unions to agitate for a salary hike. As reported by State controlled newspapers recently, President Rajapaksa had said that if Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe can lose so many elections & yet continue as opposition leader, more..

Oct 18 (DBS) The assortment of political parties known as the TNA is regarded as the premier political configuration representing the Sri Lankan Tamils in Parliament, the Northern and Eastern provincial councils and various local authorities in the north and east. The TNA has in recent times ardently supported the ongoing probe on Sri Lanka being conducted by the office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. more..

Oct 18 (ST) Three-wheelers with blaring horns or music recordings selling bread and short-eats in Colombo and the suburbs in the early hours have become a common occurrence. But, more than the service provided the inconvenience caused to the public is on the rise prompting people to complain about the noise pollution and irritation caused. A resident of Daham Mawatha Nugegoda, Nimmi Jayawickrema, more..

Oct 18 (Island) The EU wouldn’t have listed the LTTE, if not for the US throwing its weight behind a high profile Sri Lankan campaign to have the group proscribed in Europe, those involved in the diplomatic initiative said. The EU announced the ban on May 30, 2006. A former diplomat said the assassination of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar on the night of August 8 2005 and the US backing had influenced the EU decision, more..

Oct 18 (SL) There had been a spate of incidents where suspects had been shot dead or killed accidentally, while fleeing from police custody or during a confrontation with the police. Recently, the suspect wanted in connection with the Kolonnawa- Sinhapura murders was shot dead while trying to escape police custody. Another suspect who was arrested in connection with the killing of an 8-year-old girl in Akmeemana had drowned more..

Oct 18 (Island) General Manager Sri Lanka Railways B.A.P. Ariyaratne, who was alleged to have had some involvement in the recent rail strike from Oct 9 midnight, had been transferred out as Additional Secretary Technical Services of the Transport Ministry. Incumbent Additional Secretary Technical Services Vijaya Amaratunge was yesterday appointed GMR. Many complaints had been made to President Rajapaksa more..

Oct 18 (CT) A major scarcity of courthouses in the country has curtailed the speedy hearing of court proceedings, according to Attorney General Palitha Fernando, who retired from office this week after a two-year spell. The retired AG said that there is a dearth of courthouses in the country and recalled that the Matara Court, which sometime back, heard not more than five cases per day is 'compelled' to hear about 25 cases per day. more..

Oct 18 (Island) JVP Anura Kumara Dissanayake MP claimed in Kandy recently that President Mahinda Rajapaksa could not seek a third term, according to the Constitution. Dissanayake said so at a meeting at the Kandy Post office auditorium on Wednesday. The JVP leader said that there was no need for President Mahinda Rajapaksa to go for a snap election as he had two more years till 2016 to complete his term. more..

Oct 18 (AM) President Rajapaksa has promised to implement 12 proposals presented by NFF. NFF earlier claimed that its support to the govt would depend on the govt's response to the 12 proposals endorsed by the national convention which was held by the Freedom Front. The 12 proposals were presented to the President a few months ago and the govt appointed committee to look into Weerawansa's proposals. more..

Oct 18 (CG) UNP MP Dr Harsha de Silva has raised the question if he needs a title to take on the Govt, after he was asked by the media to comment on the reasons he has not been included in a list of UNP members who will prepare the party for the Presidential election. The UNP MP refused to comment and kept silent when he was asked, at a press conference this week, if he had been sidelined by not being included in the committee. more..

Oct 18 (CG) Former CJ Sarath N Silva has apologised for the ruling he gave in support of then PM Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2005 the ‘Helping Hambantota’ case. Silva has told BBC that he had given the ruling in the case based on the evidence before him and felt he had ensured justice. Court order ensured Rajapaksa could contest the 2005 Presidential elections which he eventually won and was appointed President, more..

Oct 18 (CT) The executive presidency hangs over like the sword of Democles and President Rajapaksa is seeking loopholes to elect himself for a third term running. Two schools of thought by former Attorney General Sarath N.Silva and constitutional expert and lawyer K.N. Choksy place the President in a conundrum. While the former states he could not seek a third term the latter contends he is eligible under constitutional law. EAM G.L. Peiris too is of the view the President can seek more..

Oct 18 (DBS) In our long discussions about Sri Lanka’s post-independence political history, India’s large shadow falls inevitably upon us, bringing with it a curious and mixed effect; it is both alarming and inspiring at times, but also quite disheartening and dispiriting on other occasions. We were both part of the British Empire, both Mother Lanka and Mother India, but an analysis of our respective post-colonial histories shows the contrast; and as a consequence, there is, somewhere in the air, more..

Oct 18 (CT) Colombo Telegraph learns the common man and woman is now being forced to pay for the festivities that were thrown for the President Rajapaksa’s visit to the North over the weekend. Teachers attached to the Neduntheevu (Delft) Maha Vidyalaya have been ordered to pay Rs. 7000 each by the school administration as the festivities thrown to welcome the President who visited the school on October 14 had cost more than the originally estimated amount. more..

Oct 18 (CT) Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri, Head, Department of History, University of Colombo who is also the former president of the FUTA has strongly objected to the way Colombo Telegraph has been condemned by certain persons on its revelations of dubious financial transactions of the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA). Asked to offer his comment on the behavior of regular anti-govt as well as pro-govt commentators with regard to the CPA/NGO saga of fraud and deceit, more..

Oct 18 (CT) Secretary Defence Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, has directed Immigration and Emigration and security authorities to round up illegal immigrants who are engaged in employment after entering the country on tourist visas. However, this rule will not apply to foreign employees working on BOI projects with valid visas and necessary approvals. Rajapaksa said that the relevant authorities should obtain the assistance of more..

Oct 18 (Island) A UK citizen ran the 42 km Colombo Marathon recently in a heartrending bid to raise funds to create better opportunities for underprivileged children in Sri Lanka. Having raised USD 6,000 (782,000 LKR) by the end of the marathon mostly through donations from friends and family, Mark Kirby (40) ran with around 5,000 other enthusiastic runners with a cause at heart. "My charity drive for ChildFund Sri Lanka is doing well and I am almost reaching over USD 6,000, more..

Oct 18 (CT) National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has identified buildings in 25 schools in seven districts that are in danger of being destroyed by landslides. Acting Director of the Landslide Unit of the NBRO, Dr. Gamini Jayatissa, said these schools are located in Matale, Nuwara Eliya, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Badulla, Hambantota and Matara Districts. However, they have taken steps to remedy the threat and have commenced such activities in 18 schools in the Kandy District, more..

Oct 18 (Island) Asia, as the generator of trafficked human beings, and Europe, as the receiver of those unfortunates, should give engaged attention to eliminate the scourge, Minister and Colombo Process Chair-in-Office Dilan Perera said at the ‘Third Asia-EU Dialogue on Labour Migration’ held on Wednesday in Colombo. The Third Asia-EU Dialogue brought together the 11 member countries of the Colombo Process more..

Oct 18 (DM) External Affairs Ministry Monitoring MP Sajin Vaas Gunawardane said the EU decision to lift the ban on the LTTE was a shot in the arm for the LTTE and the diaspora. He said that with this decision all EU members would regard the LTTE as a legitimate organization. Mr. Gunawardane remained mum when journalists asked him about his alleged assault on former Sri Lankan High Commissioner Chris Nonis and on reports that he was not allowed to the Vatican during more..

Oct 18 (CT) Lacunas in the law and insufficient evidence that the elephants in captivity were obtained illegally, were the reasons given by Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWLC) Director General, H.D. Ratnayake, for issuing licences to elephant owners, in reply to an audit query by the Auditor General's Department. This came to light at a press conference organized by Species Conservation Centre (SCC) Chairman Pubudu Weeraratne on Thursday. more..

Oct 18 (Island) Department of Archaeology would commence a project to survey all the rocks and mountains in the country to separate archaeologically important sites from those that could be exploited for development work, Director General of Archaeology Dr. Senarath Dissanayake said. He that Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and Planning Dr. P.B. Jayasundara had instructed the Department of Archaeology to inspect all more..

Oct 18 (Island) A Deputy Secretary to the Treasury has arbitrarily transferred Additional Govt Printer (Finance) Vajira Bethmage due to a threat of an acid attack on her by a section of its unruly employees and political pressure, the Sri Lanka Accountants’ Services Association (SLASA) said. "Treasury officials unfairly transferred officers in the Govt Printer’s Department due to threats by some of its employees. Employees of Govt Printers Department came under attack by more..

Oct 18 (AM) Opposition leader of Uva PC election Harin Fernando is to be appointed as the Deputy National Organizer of the UNP. Although he was previously offered the position of the head of the UNP Youth Front, Fernando declined the offer stating he wanted Ruwan Wijeyawardena to remain in the position as the latter had already done “great service” to the party. It was Wijeyawardena who offered to resign from his position to make way for Fernando to become the leader of more..

Oct 18 (PTI) After West Indies' dramatic pullout from the India tour due to pay dispute with WICB, Sri Lanka Cricket's decision to fill in with a five-match ODI series has come in for sharp criticism from Kumar Sangakkara. "Our 6 weeks of pure fitness work ends abruptly. Have a week to do a months requirement of skills work before India. Planning ahead anyone", Kumar Sangakkara asked in a tweet. more..

Oct 18 (GDI) Ministry of Disaster Management has made arrangements to commemorate the National Safety Day 2014, the year marking 10 years from the occurrence of the Tsunami disaster focusing the District of Hambantota. Accordingly, Ministry has made arrangements to perform this great endeavor of commemorating the National Safety Day 2014 with a focus on Hambantota District under the main theme "Safer Sri Lanka" and the sub theme "Let us unite to eradicate disasters". more..

Oct 18 (ST) Locksmith Mohamed Zarook, 38, never dreamed that his work overseas would lead to a wild adventure opening treasure-filled safes belonging to a fallen dictator, earning high praise from the US army. Mr. Zarook, who comes from a family of locksmiths, sought overseas employment in 2003 as a mechanic. He has now returned home and finds his extraordinary achievements have taken him up the ladder of success, including being employed as consultant on locks to a car company. more..

Oct 18 (CBC) Journalist Maran Nagarasa still recalls vividly the sense of elation aboard the Ocean Lady five years ago this week when he saw a plane flying overhead with a Canadian flag. “I was sure God had arrived to save us,” he said. But that feeling soon turned to fear as he and the 75 other SL Tamils on board faced armed border guards and RCMP officers. On Oct. 17, 2009, they were arrested, jailed & interrogated. more..

Oct 18 (DN) The govt of Korea will extend its unconditional support to Sri Lanka against any attempts to divide the country, South Korean Ambassador to Sri Lanka Chang Won-sam said yesterday. He said South Korea will support Sri Lanka in the international fora against any attempts to divide Sri Lanka. The South Korean diplomat said so at a meeting with Construction Engineering and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa, at the ministry at Sethsiripaya, Battaramulla. more..

Oct 18 (GDI) The Colombo Bloemendhal “Sirisanda Sevana” New Housing Scheme was declared open by President Rajapaksa on Friday evening making a reality of the programme of moulding a country devoid of slums. A significant programme is in place to build a Sri Lanka sans slum dwellings within the nexvt two years through the Mahinda Chinthana Vision for the Future. The country has entered a prosperous era effecting a development revolution under the leadership of the President and more..