Feb 17 (ST) The FCID submitted to Court transcripts of electronic mail (e-mail) exchanged between the main accused Yoshitha Rajapaksa and the former Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information in the CSN money laundering case when it was taken up for hearing before Kaduwela Magistrate Dhammika Hemapala on Thursday. FCID submitted that it is in the process of securitising hundreds of e-mails found in more..

Feb 17 (DM) A certain key Ministry has launched a new venture which has nothing to do with the subjects it is entrusted with. It is an Ayurvedic Spa!. However, this spa, the brain child of a high political authority, is out of bounds for the employees of the Ministry, they say. A large number of young girls account for the majority of the employees recruited to work at this spa which is providing a variety of therapeutic treatments more..

Feb 17 (DN) Sri Lanka ended the 12th South Asian Games with a total of 186 medals that included 25 gold, 63 silver and 98 bronze. With this performance the Lankan athletes will receive a cash award of over four million rupees as promised by Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara. Before the commencement of the Games, Minister promised to pay Rs 5 lakhs for a gold medal, Rs 3 lakhs for a silver and Rs 1 lakh for a bronze. more..

Feb 17 (SL) The 2012 Welikada prison riot which left 27 dead and many more injured was a horrific incident of human rights violation that became the subject of intense discussion both locally and internationally. Today, it has once again come under the spotlight since the law has not yet been enforced against the culprits even though the truth behind the incident has already been uncovered. Under the Yahapalanaya govt, more..

Feb 17 (EN) A structure plan to expand Sri Lanka's capital into a Megapolis of nine million people by 2040 has proposed a sharp downsizing of a port city to reclaimed out of the sea by Chinese state firm. A concept plan for the Megapolis developed with Singapore's Surbana Jurong has proposed a 90 hectare city with a marina instead of a 200 plus hectare reclamation protected by a breakwater originally proposed. more..

Feb 17 (DM) Colombo Crimes Division released sketches of two suspects connected to the murder of Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge. Police said one suspect was about 35-years old, 5’8 with wide brown eyes and a stocky build. The second suspect was about 40-years old, 5’10 with a dark complexion. The sketches were drawn by the sketch artist based on descriptions given by witnesses at the crime scene. more..

Feb 17 (Island) Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa claimed that incumbent govt would have to pay a very heavy price for appeasing India. Acknowledging that since the change of govt in January last year there had been a steady improvement in Sri Lanka’s relations with India and some other countries, Rajapaksa said that the previous administration had incurred the wrath of New Delhi for expansion of Colombo Port. more..

Feb 17 (DN) The PHU would go before Court challenging the appointment process of the new Attorney General, PHU leader, Udaya Gammanpila said. He added that the Party would also challenge the process of the appointment of Auditor General as well, as there are flaws in relation to the process of the new appointments made. He said his Party had no problem with President’s Counsel Jayantha Jayasuriya being appointed more..

Feb 17 (CT) It was revealed recently that despite a month has lapsed since Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris having ordered the CID to send the copies of CCTV footage containing the stills of assailants of Wasim Thajudeen to a foreign country for further examination, they are still languishing at the Judiciary. These videos were initially examined by the experts at Uni of Colombo, who have recommended sending the videos to foreign institutions for further analysis. more..

Feb 17 (LT) Legal action would be taken within the next few months against thirty three powerful ministers and individuals of the previous Mahinda Rajapaksa regime who have been accused of fraud, corruption and misappropriation of public money and assets says Minister Sarath Amunugama. Among those who are accused of misappropriation, fraud and corruption are several ministers of the Maithri – Ranil government as well say reports. Meanwhile, it is reported that FCID had completed more..

Feb 17 (CT) The metamorphosed version of CEPA, the Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) has sparked off various segments of our industry, and our politicians to respond in diverse ways. Much of this has been either of a knee-jerk type or of text-book economic theory. The former reaction is connected with the general dislike of our neighboring big brother, while the latter harps on the size of the market that will open up to us. more..

Feb 17 (DM) Police Chief N.K. Illangakoon has instructed CID to investigate the deaths of two university student activist in a road accident in Imbulgoda in 2012. Victims Janaka Ekanayeka of Kelaniya Uni and Sisitha Priyankara of Ruhunu Uni were killed on Sept 27, 2012 while they were travelling on a motorcycle on the Kandy Road on their way to paste posters at Imbulgoda. Students, residents of Matale & Modara, were members of Inter-University Students’ Union. more..

Feb 17 (DM) Visiting President Sirisena paid a visit yesterday to the Foundation Monument for the Murdered Jews in Europe at Cora Berliner Strasse 1 and viewed photographs and paintings that vividly depicted the horrors of WW2. President Sirisena, who was visibly moved after viewing the pictures taken at concentration camps, at Nazi factories and at Auschwitz, asked journalists why Sri Lanka couldn't look back and make more..

Feb 17 (Island) SLFP General Secretary Duminda Dissanayake, MP, said that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was free to decide whether to leave the party or not. He said the party wouldn’t interfere with the former President’s decision. He alleged that the former President had been behaving as a newcomer to the party. No one could be allowed to act against the Constitution of the party; A'pura District MP said, adding that they wouldn’t try to stop those wanting to quit the party. more..

Feb 17 (CT) Over 100,000 mails have piled up at the Central Mail Exchange, (CME) Colombo due to the severe shortage of postal workers, several postal trade unions claim. General Secretary of the Public Postal Services Union (PPSU) Jayantha Wijesingha stated that due to the large number of mail that has got piled up at the CME, those who had applied for interviews and those seeking examination applications could see their mails being delayed. When contacted, more..

Feb 17 (DM) Minister Sarath Amunugama said Sri Lanka was maintaining close diplomatic ties with both India and China and that most of the Chinese funded projects were carried out by the govt. He said PM was planning to visit China in April and have discussions with the Chinese President and PM. “It is wrong to claim that the govt has ruined the diplomatic ties with china. We are maintaining close ties with China and India,” more..

Feb 17 (DN) Former Embilipitiya ASP DWC Dharmaratna who was arrested over the death of a youth in Embilipitiya was remanded until March 02, on the orders of the Embilipitiya Additional Magistrate Prasanna Fernando. The former ASP was arrested by CID on Feb 2 in connection with the death of a youth in Embilipitiya. The former ASP was summoned by the CID to record a statement the same morning and was arrested thereafter. Warrants were issued by Embilipitiya more..

Feb 17 (CT) TULF has suggested incorporation of the Indian Model and the South African Bill of Rights into the proposed new Constitution for Sri Lanka as a solution to the ethnic problem. The proposals effectively dispel fears of many who expected the TULF to adopt a hard-line federal approach to proposals for incorporation in the Constitution. TULF General Secretary and former MP V. Anandasangaree has reiterated that a federal solution will be the best but considering more..

Feb 17 (DM) The protest by the residents in Thotalanga, was completely unnecessary because they had already been given proper housing units at three housing projects completed in the close proximity, Minister Champika Ranawaka said today. Accordingly, 29 families from the area had been given housing units at the Randiya Uyana housing complex, 159 housing units at Modara Uyana housing complex and 74 housing units more..

Feb 17 (CT) The Engineers' Union of the CEB has protested against the rejection of its 20-year Power Generation Plan by the Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL). The Union alleges that the Public Utilities Commission had rejected the plan without any justifiable reason with the mala fide objective of promoting plan proposals from parties with vested interests. The Union warns reprisals should the PUCSL go ahead with its plans to the detriment of the Union members. more..

Feb 17 (Island) Navy divers yesterday recovered bodies of two 13-year-old girls, who had drowned in the Kelani River at Kiththmpahuwa on Monday evening, while they were bathing. Three girls including the victims were bathing in the river. The third girl saved by the Wellampitiya villagers is being treated at the Colombo National Hospital. Victims identified as Subodani Bandara of Kapuwatta Thuduwa, Habarugala, Urugaha and Dahami Prasadini of the same area were relations. more..

Feb 17 (CG) British Govt says it remains committed to help Sri Lanka strengthen democracy in the country. UK High Commissioner to Sri Lanka James Dauris said the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK’s visit to Sri Lanka this week is a reflection of the important and long standing Parliamentary relations that the two Parliaments enjoy. The UK Branch of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association more..

Feb 17 (PSL) President Sirisena who is on a state visit to Germany met the Federal Chancellor of Germany Dr. Angela Merkel today. President who arrived in the Federal Chancellor’s Office was received by German leader. A Guard of Honour was also held to welcome President Sirisena, who is on a state visit to Germany. After the Guard of Honour, two national anthems were played. Subsequently, Chancellor Merkel and President Sirisena started bilateral discussions. more..

Feb 17 (EN) Construction work begins on Feb 19 on a Japanese-funded waste water treatment facility for Sri Lanka’s second biggest city, the hill country town of Kandy, which would also improve water quality in its main river. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said it is financing for the project under a highly concessional loan of 14,087 million yen (16.9 billion rupees). Project is being managed by Sri Lanka's National Water Supply and Drainage Board. more..

Feb 17 (DN) The proposed new sectoral oversight committees to be set up in Parliament should have powers to summon not only officials but also Provincial Chief Ministers and Provincial Ministers, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said. PM said this delivering the keynote address at the inauguration of a three day workshop on oversight committees attended by MPs at Committee Room 1 of Parliamentary Complex yesterday. more..

Feb 17 (UCAN) Recent visit of UN human rights chief to SL should "help the process of searching for truth and justice in our country," a spokesman for Archdiocese of Colombo said. "Path of justice is important to reach authentic reconciliation in SL," said Father Cyril Fernando, head of the archdiocese's social communications department."We have no problems on the interest of the UN and we hope it can help the process of searching for truth and justice in our country," more..

Feb 17 (Island) A proper and permanent mechanism is expected to be set up to promote all ranks of police officers to next rank if the police commission approves the system proposed by IGP N. K. Illangakoon with assistance of high ranking officers. "A proper mechanism was a long-felt need as there was no proper procedure in the police department to promote officers to higher ranks. System now in existence has changed time and again," Police spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said. more..

Feb 17 (AD) PHU General Secretary and MP Udaya Gammanpila dismissed the charges on former President’s son Yoshitha Rajapaksa as politically motivated. “Yoshitha Rajapaksa was neither a stakeholder nor was a part of the Board of Directors of the CSN,” Gammanpila said. However he admitted that former President’s son had requested and motivated a group of his friends to launch the CSN since there was no TV more..

Feb 17 (PSL) A special discussion on the program Wasa Visa Nethi Ratak (A country free of poisonous substances), which is to be implemented in accordance with the election manifesto of the President Maithripala Sirisena to ensure the chemical-free farming within the next three years, was held under the patronage of Secretary to the President, P.B.Abeykoon at Presidential Secretariat, yesterday. The program Wasa Visa Nethi Ratak will commence on March 6th, to March 8 more..

Feb 17 (Island) Supreme Court yesterday, fixed for hearing on March 31, the fundamental rights violation petition field by State Minister of International Trade Attorney-at-law, Sujeewa Senasinghe. The petitioner has complained that his Parliamentary election campaign was unduly obstructed by officers of the Athurugiriya Police Station, at Habarakada, Homagama. The petitioner says he complained to the Mirihana Base Police Station but there was no response. more..

Feb 17 (DM) Colombo High Court today considering the bail revision applications filed on behalf of Yoshitha Rajapaksa and three others, noticed the respondents to submit objections on Feb 29. The revision application sought bail for the suspects over the inquiry conducted at the Kauwela Magistrate on alleged financial irregularities at the CSN. In the Revision Applications, AG, IGP, FCID Director, Prison Commissioner General, more..

Feb 17 (CI) Medium-pacer Deepti Sharma's career-best 4 for 23, followed by a patient 53 not out from Mithali Raj, helped India Women claim an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series, with a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka Women in Ranchi. India had already climbed to sixth place on the ICC Women's Championship points table after the first ODI, and the win today helped them take a three-point lead over 7th-placed Pakistan Women. Opting to bat, Sri Lanka had a promising start more..

Feb 17 (DM) There was no difference between the political period of late Vijaya Kumaratunga and the present political conditions, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said. Addressing the 28th commemoration of the late Vijaya Kumaratunga, which was held at the New Town Hall, he said that in his opinion he could state that these types of arrests were common under UNP regime. He said that unfortunately, even he was connected with these as the present Govt not only consisted more..

Feb 17 (DM) The Provincial Council (PC) elections were unlikely this year, because the delimitation of the Wards in all the Districts had not yet been completed, State Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said today. He told a media briefing in Colombo that the Local Govt and Provincial Councils Minister Faiszer Mustapha was working hard to complete the delimitation process covering the entire country. more..

Feb 18 (CT) The Tamils have a great culture. One of the best. But that is not found in Jaffna – the so-called heartland of the indigenous Tamils. Though they crow about their culture loudly and interminably, there is no significant evidence of great cultural achievements in Jaffna because they have been, at all times, merely mediocre imitators of S. Indian culture. To find the great Tamil culture one has to go across the Palk Straits to TN – the one and only homeland of all Tamils. more..

Feb 18 (CT) Managers’ Forum was privileged to have Mahinda Deshapriya, Chairman of the new Election Commission, as keynote speaker on 6 Feb, 2016 at Euroville Conference Hall in Muthiraichanthai, in Changili Thoppu, Nallur. His topic was Elections: the Changes and Challenges. In attendance was a large crowd of 75 or so dignitaries and other leading citizens. Mr. Deshapriya arrived promptly on time and noted how he was pleased to see among those timely participants more..

Feb 18 (SO) This year's Independence Day celebrations marked what's being described as a stepping stone towards reconciliation; singing the National Anthem in Sinhala and Tamil for the first time since 1949. This gave rise to much-heated debates, based on long-festered issues on the language policy and the community representation in Sri Lanka. Tamil language was given official language status more..

Feb 18 (GV) Not the way I see it… in fact, a musical experience is much more likely to reflect a particular time, place, and way of thinking. But don’t just take my word for it; anybody you ask will probably associate different types of music with specific lifestyles and values. Whether they approve or not is a matter of social conditioning: one person’s baila is a another person’s baila, so to speak. But enough with the abstract thought. John de Silva probably meant well when he wrote the nurthi musical more..

Feb 18 (NS) The Music Project in Sri Lanka recently held an informal concert at the British School in Colombo at which the children of this project showcased their musical skills to an enthralled audience. The concert featured children from both the north and south of Sri Lanka playing a host of orchestral instruments such as violin, cello, trumpet, flute and clarinet to mention a few, and also showcased recorder and percussion ensembles. The Music Project is inspired by more..