Jan 14 (EN) Sri Lanka is seeking a strong player to sell marine fuel from Hambantota in the South of the country targeting hundreds of ships that pass by each day, the island's ports agency chief said. "What we are looking for is an investor who will develop that industry," SLPA Chairman Dhammika Ranatunga said. "It has to be a strong player with competitive pricing." The Chinese built tank farm has 14 tanks with storage for 51,000 square meter of bunker fuel, 23,000 square meters for more..

Jan 14 (Island) Romania says that it was in the process of updating the legal framework of bilateral relations with Sri Lanka. The Romanian Ambassador Dr. Victor Chiujdea said in Colombo last week that diplomatic ties between the two countries dated back to Sept 15, 1957. Since then both sides had made a concerted effort to improve bilateral relations in all fields including political, parliamentary, trade and economic cooperation, culture, education and employment he noted, more..

Jan 14 (Haveeru) Maldives and Sri Lanka appeared Thursday to have reached a thaw in their strained relations as the Indian Ocean neighbours pledged to improve bilateral relations. The discussions were held during a courtesy call on the president by Sri Lankan foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera and finance minister Ravi Karunanayake, who arrived in Maldives Wednesday on an official visit. more..

Jan 14 (EN) Sri Lanka's land prices which used to go up by 3 to 7% a year has started accelerating, rising 10% over past year, a top official of Jones Lang LaSalle, a real estate consultancy said. "We have seen prices going up by 10% across and in the CBD (central business district) even higher," Gagan Singh, CEO - Business India & Chairperson Sri Lanka Operations said. "There is optimism, there is buoyancy." She said given the incentives announced in the budget, and measures under more..

Jan 14 (Island) Journalists who covered a meeting at the Kandy regional office of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) were subjected to shabby treatment on Tuesday. The journalists had been invited to attend a meeting chaired by HRCSL Chairperson Dr. Deepika Udagama. The meeting was due to be held from 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Media personnel were suddenly informed that their presence was not required and the Chairperson would issue a media statement. more..

Jan 14 (NZH) Has an over-enthusiastic, flamboyant Sri Lankan sports minister under pressure to fix the national cricket team got the wrong end of the stick? Or were the Sri Lankan cricketers really partying their way around New Zealand, that's when they weren't squabbling with each other? It appears that social media posts from SL fans in New Zealand have inspired sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara to call for more..

Jan 14 (DN) Supreme Court today directed the Attorney General to file a report in Court within one week regarding the solutions and relief measures taken by govt to solve the hardships faced by people due to the Uma Oya multi-purpose project. Two judge-bench comprising Chief Justice K. Sripavan and Justice Sisira de Abrew made this direction sequent to a fundamental rights petition filed by Centre for Environmental Justice, and four individuals, including M.D.P. Manatunga, more..

Jan 14 (NS) Litro Gas, the largest importer and market leader of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Sri Lanka, stepped up as a sponsor for the upcoming Miss Tourism Sri Lanka International, a first ever pageant contest show which will witness 20 glamorous ambassadors from many nations. The event, to be held on 21st Feb at Hilton Colombo, will not only uplift the local beauty pageant industry but also boost the image of Sri Lanka. Countries participating are Australia, Belgium, China, more..

Jan 14 (Island) Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine (MHIM) said the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) had recorded a profit of Rs. 363 million from the sale of its products to the private sector during the first nine months of last year. In 2015 the SPC had supplied drugs worth Rs. 3,860 million to the private sector during the first nine months while during the same period in 2014 it had sold drugs worth Rs. 3,505 million. more..

Jan 14 (SLC) A Dinner hosted by SLC President Thilanga Sumathipala for the SL Under 19 World Cup team and their parents was held yesterday at Hilton Colombo Residences. This was the 1st time that a junior team was hosted prior to a tour. Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara too was present to speak to the team and wish them well for a successful tour in the forthcoming Under19 World Cup. Legendary Cricketer Aravinda de Silva who was invited by Thilanga Sumathipala more..

Jan 14 (CG) Sri Lanka Govt today strongly condemned the terrorist attack which took place in Jakarta this morning. Govt extended its condolences to the families of the victims who died in the incident. Sri Lanka reiterated its strong commitment to work with the international community including Indonesia to eradicate the scourge of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. At least six people were dead in a series of bombings and gunfire outside the Sarinah department store on Jalan more..

Jan 14 (DM) Colombo Chief Magistrate ordered several media organisations to issue visuals of the video footage of the Press Conference held by UPFA MP Udaya Gammanpila on Jan 11, after a complaint claiming that some comments made by the MP over the release of MP Hirunika Premachandra by the Court, was contempt of court. The Kaselwatte Police yesterday filing a motion in Court had sought a court order from more..

Jan 14 (Island) Health Ministry said that the committee appointed to look into an alleged surgical mishap at the Kalutara Nagoda General Hospital in early Dec, 2015, when a surgeon operated on the wrong breast of a woman, was yet to submit its findings. Director General Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Palitha Mahipala had appointed a three-member committee on Dec 15, to look into the preliminary report that had been handed in by the Kalutara Nagoda General Hospital (KNGH) on more..

Jan 14 (DN) Laymen had no right to frame ecclesiastical laws in respect of Buddhist clergy and it has to be done with the approval of the Mahanayake Theras said President Chinthana Parshadaya. Ven. Bengamuwe Nalaka Thera commenting on the Bill presented to Parliament to control the conduct of Bhikkhus yesterday. He said Bhikkhus could be prohibited from obtaining driving licences, conducting businesses or employment but they should not be prevented from engaging more..

Jan 14 (CG) The army today denied claims that Giritale army camp has been sealed to conduct investigations over the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda. Army spokesman said that based on a court order the army is in the process of gathering the information requested by the court in relation to the case of the missing journalist. A special team had been deployed to the Giritale army camp more..

Jan 14 (DM) At least nineteen students at the Baduraliya Maliyadewa Primary School, Kalutara were hospitalised due to alleged food poisoning, police said. The nineteen students included 12 girls and 7 boys in 10 years of age had fallen sick and started vomiting and some students fainted after eating a meal provided at a ceremony held at school for new grade one admissions. “The students were admitted to the Baduraliya Hospital with symptoms that indicated food poisoning. more..

Jan 14 (AD) Former Minister Jagath Pushpakumara has informed the PRECIFAC that he is unable to appear before the commission today. He informed the commission via email that he will be unable to appear as summoned due to an illness. Pushpakumara has been accused of obtaining a state property under his wife’s name and developing the land with funds of Coconut Development Ministry. He had been summoned to appear at the commission to give a statement regarding more..

Jan 14 (IL) Sri Lanka has been selected as one of the four pilot countries to participate in a World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Project titled Intellectual Property, Tourism and Culture. This Project will contribute to promoting awareness of the role of IP in Sri Lanka and supporting the tourism-related economic activities of the country. Further it will enhance the scope for utilizing IP for development in a new area, more..

Jan 14 (DM) UNP MP Hirunika Premachandra's husband Hiran Yatowita had lodged a complaint with the Narahenpita Police over an argument with their neighbour, the Police said. MP Premachandra and her husband, who were on their way from the housing complex in the Havelock City in a narrow road had met with the neighbor’s vehicle, which was coming towards them. The two vehicles had struck in the road head-on and the Mr. Yatowita and the neighbour had started an argument more..

Jan 14 (CT) A large amount of garbage has been dumped in the wells of the Valikamam north and east areas that were recently released for resettlement from HSZ, Villagers complained. Several wells found in the lands now settled by the public are currently damaged and the water is not fit for consumption, villagers complained. 701.5 acres of land were released on 29 Dec 2015 in Valikamam north and east from the HSZ. It is now noted that many of the wells people used in these areas more..

Jan 14 (CG) Govt today insisted that there was no deadline to complete the accountability process on the war. Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said that Govt is in talks with UN with regards to the accountability process. He reiterated that the process will be a domestic process and not a hybrid process as proposed by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Senaratne however said that if required foreign technical more..

Jan 14 (DN) CID is to arrest a Magistrate and two prominent Buddhist monks for flouting wildlife preservation laws by possessing elephants illegally. Two Buddhist monks - who have been identified as key suspects in the investigation - are widely known among political circles. Highly placed Police Headquarters’ sources said that CID had obtained the AG Department's advice on arresting remaining suspects in the case. Several suspects are already in custody in connection with investigation. more..

Jan 14 (AD) Cabinet has approved the proposal to relocate the Manning Market from Colombo Fort to a land of 25 acres owned by the UDA in the Peliyagoda area. The decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday as the Colombo, Fort areas have been recognized as a combined development zone under the Colombo City Development Plan (2008-2020) prepared by the UDA. Hence, the old St. John Fish Market has been re-established in Peliyagoda area and more..

Jan 14 (CG) US Federal Reserve is assisting Sri Lanka in the probe on large scale offshore accounts managed by key members of the former Govt. Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said that Federal Reserve has informed SL that it needs time to gather information related to the offshore accounts maintained by former Govt members. “When a US Dollar is exchanged in any country it is registered at US Federal Reserve. more..

Jan 15 (CT) The superpowers in our education system, to be precise, the principals of schools labelled as super grade or popular seem to have met their karma for violating circulars issued by the Ministry of Education on Grade 1 school admissions, and collecting monies from parents. While we have witnessed how principals of schools in remote areas or schools which are deemed not powerful enough to be labelled as super grade national schools, brought to book in the past by more..

Jan 15 (DM) Ho Gana Pokuna is the best children’s film made in this country since Titus Thotawatte’s Handaya. It has style, panache, humour and a refreshing ability to tell us the story without special effects. This is back-to-basics film making at its best, reminding us how people like Sathyajith Rai set about making their films, and the director, cast and entire production team should be congratulated for that. Film has won an int'l award. That in itself is never absolute proof of a film’s excellence. more..

Jan 15 (FT) President’s Counsel and member of LSSP majority group, who entered Parliament through the National List of UNP, Jayampathy Wickremeratne talks about the new Constitution and the much-discussed process adopted by the Govt in drafting it. In an interview, the constitutional expert says it is up to the people to accept or reject the new constitution which will be drafted by all members of Parliament as a committee of whole House. more..

Jan 15 (CT) I appreciate Elijah Hoole’s comment in the Colombo Telegraph on the crisis of the engineering degree programme of the South Eastern University of Sri Lanka for bringing to light several of the underlying issues. I wish to add further relevant information which I believe would give a fuller picture of a situation that is located somewhere between a whimsical farce and a tragic misadventure, mainly in the hope that such mistakes will be averted in setting up new university more..

Jan 15 (CT) What exactly does giving the foremost place to Buddhism in the constitution mean? This question is related to a huge fuss being made by the saffron robed, and others, about the inclusion of Article 9 of the current Constitution, in the new Constitution of Sri Lanka, without any amendments. As a Buddhist I ask, why does Buddhism need to be mentioned in the Constitution at all? What benefits has Buddhism, its followers and Sri Lankans as a whole derived, from it being given more..

Jan 15 (CT) Western and Indian interference in SL politics intensified due to the mistakes made by Mahinda Rajapaksa, Author and intellectual Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara tells. Q: You were against the common Opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena during the last presidential election. But you have also been critical of undemocratic practices of former President Rajapaksa. We just celebrated one year of more..

Jan 15 (CT) Deshamanya Sivakumaran Pasupathy, the former Attorney General who is popularly known as Siva Pasupathy arrived in the Island a week ago after several years and travelled to Jaffna going down memory lane visiting his ancestral home known as Kasthuriar Valavu situated at Kasthuriar Road, Jaffna. By visiting his Kasthuriar Valavu ancestral home, which now remains as Uthayan newspaper office bearing the scars of the attacks carried out on it during the previous regime, more..

Jan 15 (DN) Mount Lavinia Hotel was the preferred hotel of the visiting Japanese wrestling legend Inoki Kanji, during his stay in Sri Lanka as Chief Guest for the WBO Women's World Title Boxing Championship hosted at the Stein Studio, Ratmalana. Inoki's stay at MLH adds to the list of world famous personalities who have patronised the Governor's Mansion. Inoki is well known by the ring name Antonio Inoki, and is a retired professional wrestler and mixed martial artist more..

Jan 15 (wsws) The US-backed regime in Sri Lanka is engaging in ongoing torture of its domestic political opponents, according to a newly-issued report from the South Africa-based International Truth and Justice Project Sri Lanka (ITJP). Its document, titled Silenced: survivors of torture and sexual violence in 2015, exposes the continued resort to state terror against the Tamil ethnic minority. Detailed accounts from victims of torture and repression, which, the ITJP notes, more..

Jan 15 (GV) Sri Lanka is a nation in crisis. It has a troubled past, a confused present and an uncertain future. An autopsy of the present status quo would reveal that several institutions have collapsed and some are on the verge of collapse; a corrupted police force, a twisted judiciary, a self serving Parliament, an ignorant education system, doctors who gamble with lives for a vehicle permit and a media that feeds on the masses. While walking through this utter mess we may be tempted more..

Jan 15 (DM) In a bid to thank nature’s spirit – the Sun and farm animals; Tamils - the farmers in particular - celebrate the Thai Pongal ceremony on the first day in the month of Thai. Farmers offer first harvest of the farm produce to nature’s spirit, the Sun, in the form of cooked rice. They do not forget to make this an occasion to thank the farm animals who contribute to the prosperity of agriculture in a big way. more..

Jan 15 (NS) Police Department is taking measures to fill 3276 vacancies that exist in its officer cadre. Issuing a media release, Police Headquarters states that the attention of the IGP had been drawn to the issue and he had sent a letter to Secretary to the Ministry of Law and Order dated Dec 30, 2015, which will be forwarded to the National Police Commission, requesting its approval to fill these vacancies. The following vacancies have been identified among its officer positions: more..

Jan 15 (DT) Pakistan Commerce Minister Khurram Khan arrived in Sri Lanka on Thursday to open the Pakistan Single Country Exhibition 2016 being held in Colombo. He will be formally inaugurating the exhibition in BMICH today along with the senior ministers of SL Govt. The exhibition will remain open from Jan 15 to 17 with free entrance for general public. Trade and Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is organising the exhibition in collaboration with HC of Pakistan in Sri Lanka. more..

Jan 15 (SO) Economic Forum has set the stage for international and national experts and business tycoons to discuss and build a dialogue on economic development trends. Organised by the Open Society Foundation, Economic Forum was based on a study by the Harvard University’s Centre for International Development on initial growth diagnosis on Sri Lanka. Director of Centre for International Development and more..

Jan 15 (DN) The ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 trophy will touch down on Sri Lankan shores on January 16 for a three-day stop en route to its global journey spanning 12 countries. The trophy travels through all T20 playing nations, before it returns to India, where the tournament gets underway from March 8 to April 3. Sponsored by Nissan, the trophy tour of Sri Lanka will provide ample opportunities for local cricket fans to glimpse the coveted prize, especially significant since more..