Feb 14 (HCI) The foundation stone for the construction of 355 houses in Bogawana estate on grant basis under Indian Housing Project was jointly laid by P. Thigambaram, Minister of Hill Country New Villages, Infrastructure & Community Development and Deputy High Commissioner of India, Arindam Bagchi on 13 Feb 2017. Mano Ganesan, Minister of National Co-existence, Dialogue and Official Languages and Hon'ble V.S. Radhakrishnan, State Minister of Education more..

Feb 14 (NR) Chief Minister of Central Province Sarath Ekanayake assured that the Provincial Council will realign its education policies and address concerns surrounding school admissions in the region. He said students in Nuwara-Eliya district have been facing numerous problems for a period of time and accused multiple govts of failing to address issues. He said concerns have also been raised pertaining to students from other districts obtaining admission for A/L classes from N'Eliya dist. more..

Feb 14 (DM) Police personnel, investigating the incident in which SAITM Chief Executive Officer Dr. Sameera Senaratne’s car was shot at, said today his complaint appeared contradictory. A senior police officer said they were awaiting Govt Analyst’s report before making any further comments on the shooting and added that the Police were investigating the incident using video footage from CCTV cameras in the vicinity of the shooting. more..

Feb 15 (CT) Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran of NPC is notorious for blurting out without thinking and without analysing the facts. Referring to the case filed against 5 suspects who are involved in an assassination attempt on Sumanthiran, MP Wigneswaran claims “This seems to be a ruse, because if the ex-LTTE cadres had in fact had any plans to assassinate Sumanthiran, then why did the police fail to mention this to the Magistrate when the case was taken up, instead more..

Feb 15 (SL) The routinely declassified documents of the American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), dating back to the Eighties, have shown that it was the Sri Lankan armed forces, and not the Indian neighbour, that had stalled then President, J.R. Jayewardene’s bid to burn down northern Jaffna, if at all. This should, in turn, put at rest all speculation that India’s Operation Garland in the first week of July 1987 was not aimed to be precisely what it was claimed to be, a humanitarian operation, more..

Feb 15 (SO) Day: Feb 6, 2017. Sixty eight year old Indranee Soyzsa, a housewife in Ratmalana, on her way to the market, never got to her destination. She was run over by a speeding bus and pronounced dead on admission to the Panadura hospital. In late December alone during the festive season, at least three major accidents were reported where several persons were injured and killed. One was a small van packed with more..

Feb 15 (SL) SAITMITIS, a new disease spreading fast in SL and is threatening to paralyse the country. The vector of this deadly disease is the medical profession but the causative organism according to some analyses is a red virus propagated by some failed prophets far away, a century ago, which aged SL acolytes are still preaching. The woes of humanity are caused by private ownership and salvation is state control and state ownership of everything, failed prophets held. more..

Feb 15 (CT) The sight of the smoke that billowed in the sky because of the recent fire mishap destroying the Kilinochchi public market reminded me of the smoke that emanated in the high sky of Mullivaikkal on the fateful day of 18th May, 2009. The debacle we faced in Mullivaikkaal symbolizes our defeat, a defeat that was thrust on us by the gory hands of genocide. Kilinochchi public market serves as a token for the micro economical activities of the Tamils, who slowly were salvaging more..

Feb 15 (DN) Front Line Socialist Party (FLSP) leader Kumar Gunaratnam, having finally received his Sri Lankan citizenship, in an interview, vows to continue with his political struggle to bring about a socialist state in Sri Lanka. At a time where all parties are in coalition with each other, Gunaratnam senses that it is the right time for the FLSP to step in and provide leadership for the common man's protests and struggles. more..

Feb 15 (DN) A Bitter Pill is an investigation into why the health care system does not work for old people who are in fragile health and what we can do about it. “Medical treatment of elderly people is not working. Worse, it is often harmful”, says author Dr. John Sloan, a family physician who has worked primarily with the elderly for more than twenty years. Dr. Sloan argues that we must understand what people in poor health at the end of their lives really need: comfort, dignity, and quality of life. more..

Feb 15 (DN) Much has been made of the Gazette notification issued in January that aims to impose new and, some say, unduly onerous restrictions and regulations on trishaw drivers. Notification establishes limits on speed and the number of passengers who may ride in a three-wheeler at one time. It also makes it compulsory for the vehicles to have meters and spare tires. While the notice outlines many requirements, it notably does not call for creation of a tuk regulatory authority. more..

Feb 15 (EN) SL's has given 10-year buyback contracts for businessmen who manufacture drugs in the island, with 22 factories on the pipeline, Deputy Minister Faizal Cader said. Initially that 5-year buyback deals were offered with Medical Services Dept, but it has now been extended to 10 years. Deal with a state pharmaceutical company has been extended to 15 years from 10 years. "We have approved 22 companies by our committee & it has gone to cabinet for approval" more..

Feb 15 (Island) A court order is never acceptable to both parties to a legal battle. The losing side always finds fault with it while the other hails it as justice. The law is no healer and this is why legal action should be considered a pis aller. It is only natural that there has been a mixed reaction to the recent Court of Appeal judgment allowing the SAITM (South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine) medical graduates to register with the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC). more..

Feb 15 (NS) The IGP Pujith Jayasundera  wants us to be the arbiters of  fashion when considering a change of his force’s uniforms. The survey, the police informs us, will focus on public opinion on changing the police uniform as a means of a change of attitude of the public towards the Police. The current standard police uniform comes after the changes made in 1974 followed by several more additions to more..

Feb 15 (Island) The primary reason for devolution is to address the national question. The national question is seen by the Tamil leadership in terms of greater political power for them while for the people it is how devolved powers are organized to "operate effectively". The current situation in the Northern Province as reported in the media vividly demonstrates that devolution is not operating effectively for the people. The report states: "The details on the surveys more..

Feb 15 (CT) Sri Lanka Embassy in Berlin marked the 69th Anniversary of the Independence of Sri Lanka on 4 Feb 2017, with an official ceremony at the Embassy premises, followed by a reception in the evening at the Bürgersaal Zehlendorf Community City Hall in Berlin. Around 300 guests, including senior officers from the German Federal Foreign Office, journalists and members of the Sri Lankan Community attended the event. Among the special guests were Ambassador Sabine more..

Feb 15 (NS) The fisheries export trade welcomed reports that the European Union would be a potential growth area for fishery exports following lifting of the ban imposed on the country’s seafood exports. However, fisheries officials and exporters last week said that Sri Lanka was in a critical situation in terms of finding new markets amid dwindling exports to European Union (EU). Local seafood exporters claim that Sri Lanka more..

Feb 15 (DM) Politico presiding over the country’s popular game at national level has thrown the functioning of the body controlling the game into a melting pot by becoming a law unto himself, they say. Often bragging that he is on the way to a much higher political office, the politico is reportedly poking his nose into all affairs to the annoyance of those working with dedication to promote the game. Even the Master Blaster who is handling task of selecting the team making necessary changes more..

Feb 15 (EN) Central Investment and Finance (CIFL), a troubled finance company says the central bank has not approved its draft audited accounts and it has started to write up accounts for 2015/16 onwards. The firm said in a stock exchange filing that the central bank has referred a foreign investor representative who had sought information for a due diligenece. A company called Vandell Financial Services had offered to give a bank guarantee against a loa form the central bank, more..

Feb 15 (HRW) This week, SL’s PM Ranil Wickremesinghe is visiting Australia. Besides growing economic cooperation, apparently enhanced cooperation on development and sport between the two nations is on the agenda. But let’s hope that beyond friendly cricket matches, PM Malcolm Turnbull asks some hard questions about how the SL govt will provide accountability to victims and their families, still awaiting justice more..

Feb 15 (Island) Excellent performance in domestic cricket this season has earned Ron Chandraguptha a place in Sri Lanka ‘A’ team for the bilateral series against England ‘A’. In the ongoing three day warm-up game for Board President’s XI against England ‘A’, Chandraguptha notched up scores of 48 and 91. A couple of impressive scores in the unofficial Test series against England ‘A’ that starts on Friday is all what it requires for the 21-year-old former Trinity College captain to make his Test debut more..

Feb 15 (Island) China has provided preferential tariff rates for countries like Philippines and Indonesia for their coconut –based exports to China and we'd also like to have the same facility under the much expected Sri Lanka – China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) slated to be signed, Bandula Egodage, vice president corporate affairs and communication of Nestle Lanka PLC said in Colombo, last week. This view expressed by Nestle Lanka is valid as Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake urged more..

Feb 15 (CT) CID is preparing to take into custody about ten officers of SL Navy who are believed to be having concrete evidence about the abduction and killing of a total of 11 individuals including five Tamil university students in Trinco in the years 2008 and 2009, within the next week. However, a CID official said senior CID officers had received firm orders from top political authorities to not arrest any of these Navy officials. more..

Feb 15 (DN) National Lotteries Board (NLB) earned a Rs. 334 million profit in 2016 while the profit for 2015 was only Rs. 241 million. Latest result was achieved by the new NLB management due to financial discipline and management. Careful expenditure management by rationalising all kinds of expenditure and pruning out wasteful expenses also contributed to the project. “We have also been able to increase sales by adopting modern management practices and methods & strategic marketing more..

Feb 15 (CG) Fairly strong gusty winds are expected over the country (up to 40-50kmph) and surrounding sea areas (up to 60kmph) today. The Department of Meteorology said that several spells of showers will occur in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva and North-western provinces and in the Hambantota district. Showers or thundershowers are likely at several places elsewhere, particularly after 2.00 pm. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. more..

Feb 15 (DN) Central Hospital in Colombo is being accused of negligence after a mother discovered that a piece of gauze was left inside her abdomen after she delivered her second child following a cesarean operation and filed a lawsuit claiming Rs. 100 million as damages for alleged medical negligence. M.C.T.D. Perera, 23, a resident of Kelaniya gave birth to her second child on Jan 3, 2016 but she remained in pain even after more..

Feb 15 (DM) The govt has made contradictory statements regarding the appointment of High Court Judge Ramanathan Kannan making one wonder whether it was a political appointment, former MP G L Peiris said today. He said he had previously practised as a lawyer in the Baticaloa courts. “Minister Wejeyadasa Rajapakshe had said recently that political party was keen on appointing the particular person to the position," he said. He said Judicial Services Association (JSA) had met more..

Feb 15 (FT) Pathfinder Foundation convened Trincomalee Consultations, a two-day conference participated by countries in the Bay of Bengal, which are dependent on the bay for their trade and other interactions. The conference is attended by India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka. Japan and Norway are also taking part in the deliberations will be held in Cinnamon Grand, Colombo on 16 and 17 Feb.  The conference, co-hosted by Carnegie India, more..

Feb 15 (DM) Professor Neville Perera of the SAITM said that some state universities were substandard and that there were only two or three professors in the medical faculties of some of them. He said SAITM did not have junior lecturers. "We have only senior lecturers and professors in our institute, whereas in most of the state universities lectures are given by junior lecturers,” he said. He added that there was nothing called minimum more..

Feb 15 (AAP) SL superstar Lasith Malinga ready to make international comeback in Australia, starting with Wednesday's Prime Minister's XI clash. Sri Lanka bowling coach Champaka Ramanayake has declared Lasith Malinga the best T20 bowler in the world as he prepares to make his return to international cricket in a three-match series against Australia. Malinga is set to face the Prime Minister's XI at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Wednesday, with the match live streamed on cricket.com.au. more..

Feb 15 (KT) Six Sri Lankan men, who formed a gang that targeted villas and rob jewelry and valuables and cash, were each sentenced to five years in jail. The six men, aged between 26 and 40, were found guilty by the Court of First Instance of robbery at night with the use of sharp tools, damage of private property and trespass. The six accused, including five unemployed and a driver, damaged a safe in the complainant's villa in addition to four bedroom doors. more..

Feb 15 (MoD) Service pension benefits were awarded to the differently abled prematurely retired War Heroes in an event held today (14). Accordingly, officers with less than 10 years of service and other ranks with less than 12 years of service in tri forces and police personnel with less than 10 years of service, who got disabled due to terrorist acts and retired, will be eligible to receive the pension. more..

Feb 15 (DM) A young personal secretary of a prominent politico in the Kalutara area has made it a practice to summon young female school teachers to his office in the evenings for official discussions. Many concerned parties have time and again complained to the politico about this unusual dubious practice, but the latter has so far turned a deaf ear to the complaints against his secretary. Meanwhile, some informed ones say that the secretary refers some of the attractive ones more..

Feb 15 (DN) Construction work on the Angunukolapelessa New Prison which is the largest prison complex in the country being built at a cost of Rs. 4,000 million, is nearing completion. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera who inspected the progress of work on the new complex, said it would be opened by President Sirisena. The new prison which will replace the Tangalle Prison has accommodation for 1,500 inmates and is equipped with a gymnasium, swimming pool & a playground. more..

Feb 15 (NR) Concluding a 3-day mission to SL, Executive Director of UN World Food Programme (WFP), Ertharin Cousin, joined govt, civil society, private sector, academia and UN community in the launch of the National Strategic Review on Food Security and Nutrition – Towards Zero Hunger. Cousin praised the efforts of the Govt to place food and nutrition security at the core of the country’s overall development agenda. more..

Feb 15 (AD) A policy decision will be taken regarding Facebook, the world’s largest social media network, Secretary to the Media Ministry Nimal Bopage said. “This is not to ban Facebook, but to regulate it,” Bopage added. He also went on to say he has already communicated this to his superiors. “Sometimes I’m thinking of what would happen if we are to ban Facebook for just one day,” he said. Bopage said they receive number of complaints over Facebook related issues daily. more..

Feb 15 (CT) Secretariat of the Constitutional Council yesterday handed over to President Sirisena a comprehensive document including proposals, views and alternative opinions on devolution of power harnessed from multiple sources. Alternative opinions on devolution of power submitted in the report of the Centre and Periphery Committee, which was compiled by Constitutional Assembly and made public have also been taken into consideration in compiling this document. more..

Feb 15 (AP) SL asylum seekers held on Pacific island camps who could potentially find new lives in US are free to return home without fear of persecution, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said. He made the comments during a visit to Australia in which he discussed with his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull bilateral cooperation on combating people smuggling. No Sri Lankan asylum seeker has reached Australia by boat since 2013. more..

Feb 15 (DM) The COPE has presented its third interim report to Parliament on February 8, which pinpointed Rs. 110 billion losses incurred to the State from 15 State institutions. The interim report has covered activities from 1 May 2016 to 31 August 2016, based on the inquiries carried out in 15 State-owned institutions. If one peruse the list of the institutions that had been under scrutiny by the Committee one would be surprised as to how could the institutions such as more..