Aug 3 (AT) The aged parents of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran are in a state of animated suspense as debate rages over whether the law should catch up with them 0r whether amnesty granted to them to settle in Canada or in Denmark where they have relatives. A section of government, political and media circles see no justification for letting them off.� more..

Aug 3 (LNP) President Mahinda Rajapaksa has, in an interview with Gfiles, told his critics in the international community a few home truths. He says he needs no lectures from outsiders on Sri Lankan Tamils, who, he says, are 'my people'. He could have bolstered his argument by asking what the so-called international do-gooders did for Tamils when terrorists held them as a human-shield. more..

Aug 3 (LNP) The country has a golden opportunity to expand the export sector mainly to the Asian region and there are a number of countries which we could further increase our exports, said Chairman and CEO, Sri Lanka Export Development Board Anil Koswatte at the 12th Annual General Meeting of the Exporters Association of Sri Lanka in Colombo. Among the Asian countries that we could focus on are Slovakia, Colombia, Portugal, Bahrain, Turkmenistan, Ecuador, more..

Aug 3 (LBO) Former Treasury chief P B Jayasundera is to file a confidential affidavit in an application to release him from an undertaking given to Supreme Court not to hold public office, lawyers said. The bar on public office came following an order to reverse the sale of land and a tax holiday in the privatization of state-run bunkering company, at a time when Jayasundera headed the country's privatization commission. more..

Aug 3 (LP) Medawachchiya is an emerging urban area in the ancient Kingdom of Anuradhapura in the North Central Province (NCP). The area is studded with valuable ruins that bear testimony to a rich cultural heritage. Speaking to Lankapuvath Police Spokesman SSP Ranjith Gunesekara said that the Medawachchiya police nabbed 04 suspects with looted priceless artifacts from the area yesterday(02). more..

Aug 3 (LP) A study in markets of Sri Lanka revealed that the laws introduced by the state since the beginning of 2007 to curtail the use of polythene had completely failed and it had caused rapid increase of net usage this environmentally hazardous material. Although the manufacturing, sale and use of less than 20 micron thickness of polythene is illegal in Sri Lanka, they can be easily acquired from all the nooks and corners of the country including the IDP camps. more..

Aug 3 (CT) A three-year old boy in the Mitiyagoda area has been accidently run over on Aug. 01 by a lorry owned by his father, reports say. The lorry has returned after bringing goods needed for a pirith chanting and alms giving organized to celebrate the birthday of the child. In a statement to police, the child�s father has said that the child was playing in the garden around 5.30 pm when he heard the lorry return and more..

Aug 3 (AT) After a great storm, calmness has entered into the life of Sri Lankans and in particular to the Tamils in the North. In the past, every successive Government in Sri Lanka has assured to bring about a Political Solution to the minority Tamils during the elections, which has never happened due to some pressure within or outside the government while in power. The party, which promises to bring about a solution to Tamil minority when voted to power, more..

Aug 3 (CT) The southern provincial council will be dissolved at midnight today (Aug. 03), said province�s governor Kumari Balasuriya. Provincial chief minister Shan Wijelal de Silva had sent a letter on July 31 requesting the dissolution of the SPC. Its term of office is due to expire on August 14. With its dissolution, polls for the SPC are expected in the first week of October. more..

Aug 3 (LP) Two Cuban epidemiologists who brought the Bacillus Thuringenesis Israelensis(B.T.I) bacteria which is used to prevent Dengue outbreak in Sri Lanka are now conducting researches in Kandy district for Dengue prevention activities. Over 2500 dengue affected persons have been recorded in Kandy District and out of them 30 died. They are conducting researches on dengue spreading places using B.T.I bacteria. more..

Aug 3 (MoD) Nalanda College, Colombo, paid tribute to old-Nalandians who had laid their lives during the past three decades in the battle against terrorism, at a War Hero commemoration event held at the College auditorium yesterday. The event was organized by the Old Boys Association of the Nalanda College. This was the 8th War Hero commemoration organized at the College since 2002, in tribute for past Naladians both military and Police. more..

Aug 3 (CT) Police are investigating an allegation that around 50,000 displaced people had been removed secretly from welfare camps in Vavuniya. DIG in charge of Wanni Nimal Leuke says a census of inmates of these welfare camps presently underway would determine whether the allegation was true. TNA MP S. Kishore complained to president Mahinda Rajapaksa recently that nearly 50,000 of the displaced had been removed secretly by a group linked to the government. more..

Aug 3 (CT) Two men in Baduraliya have been killed and another injured after explosives concealed in a rusted salmon tin went off accidently, reports say. T. Karunarathne (38), a resident of the Pelanda area and Saman Kumara Galaboda (29), a resident of Mulberiya, have died from the incident. Srimani Silva (44) who is Karunarathne�s wife, has been wounded in the blast and admitted to Narangoda Hospital for treatment, police say. more..

Aug 3 (MoD) A branch of a Lak Sathosa was opened in Jaffna on July 28, by Social Services and Social Welfare Minister Douglas Devananda, and Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardana. Devananda said he untiringly made every endeavour for making available the essential and other commodities at a price in a par with the Colombo prices and that his long cherished dream has now come true, through the opening of a Lak Sathosa outlet. more..

Aug 3 (BBC) Voters in the northern Sri Lankan town of Jaffna are prepared to cast their ballots in the local polls though they feel it is not the right time for the elections, according to a recent survey. It said over 80 percent of those surveyed were prepared to cast their vote at the JMC polls. It was carried out in Jaffna Municipal Council (JMC) Wards from 22 to 24 July by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and Home for Human Rights (HHR). more..

Aug 3 (Island) Minister Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday said that attempts by certain interested parties to create a rift between the ruling coalition and the Eastern Province Council over the Local Government Special Provisions Bill had been thwarted. After meeting with EP Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, Gunawardena told The Island that they had discussed the issue. more..

Aug 3 (DN) Soon the Government will take the initiatives to build an industrial zone in the Uva, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing a UPFA election rally in Buttala. He also said that new business ventures will then definitely assist the development of this area. �For that process the Uva has to be lead by a good leadership with good governance,� the President added. The aim of the Government is to achieve an overall development throughout the country. more..

Aug 3 (MoD) A new Police Station and the new office of the superintendent of Police in Kanagarayankulam was declared open by the IGP Jayantha Wickramarathne yesterday (01 Aug). This is the sixth new Police Station setup after the government liberated entire North defeating LTTE terrorist. The government has established five new Police stations in Wedithalathiv, Madhu,Silawathura, Wakerei and Omanthai areas earlier. more..

Aug 3 (DN) An elephant brought for the Kandy Esala Perahera went berserk and attacked its mahout who was removed to the Kandy Hospital with serious injuries. The incident took place at around 3.00 p.m. on Saturday when the first Randoli Perahera was parading the streets. The elephant Bandara was being readied to take part in the Perahera of the Natha Devalaya when it attacked the mahout. more..

Aug 3 (DN) The National Framework Proposal on the Reintegration of Ex-combatants into Civilian Life in Sri Lanka developed by the Disaster Management and Human Rights Ministry was endorsed at a validation workshop held last Thursday, with the participation of key stakeholders, minister Mahinda Samarasinghe chaired the workshop. The National Framework Proposal is primarily designed to achieve the following goals: to safeguard the human rights of ex-combatants including the responsibility to protect and more..

Aug 3 (DN) The development of a natural dairy industry to meet the demand for milk and milk products was one of the strategies of the Mahinda Chinthana policy program of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The effort made towards achieving that object was started about three years ago. Livestock Development Minister R. M.C. B.Ratnayake spoke to the Daily News about the progress made so far. more..

Aug 3 (Island) The countrywide supply of LP gas is facing disruption with Shell Gas Distributors� Association on a collision course with the supplier over steep decline in their profit margin after the government slapped a Special Levy domestic gas cylinders. Shell Gas Distributors� Association said though they had been losing heavily since the Special Levy came into operation last January but they didn�t go public as the majority of their members wanted to resolve the issue amicably. more..

Aug 3 (DM) In a new post-war political development, the TNA parliamentary group has decided to meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa soon to discuss a political solution to the national question. The decision had been taken at a recent meeting of the party�s parliamentary group chaired by Leader R. Sampanthan. Earlier, the TNA used to boycott meetings with the President. more..

Aug 3 (Island) Former Diyawadana Nilame Neranjan Wijeyeratne said yesterday (02) that Sri Dalada Maligawa had never acquired elephant sucklings to be trained for processions before. The present has drawn flak for having separated two baby elephants from their mothers denying them of breastfeeding. He is keeping the two little elephants in the premises of his official residence. more..

Aug 3 (Island) Strangely as it may seem there is speculation, which is said to have been instigated by a certain political party for reasons best known to it, that India is not playing the role which was expected of her after the war was over and that Colombo is displeased. It is also being stated that India is concerned at the non implementation of the 13th Amendment, as promised by the President many times over, thus creating a credibility gap and lastly, more..

Aug 3 (GV) Recorded on 31st July 2009, this was the first interview on video given by Dayan Jayatilleka after he was asked to quit his position as Sri Lanka�s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva a few weeks ago. Going into the reasons behind his sudden sacking, the interview interrogates his most contentious submissions regarding the 13th Amendment, his take on the current Presidency and more..

Aug 3 (DM) In an unsporting event reported from Batticaloa the Western Province Basketball team that took part in the National Sports Festival was assaulted by a large group of spectators backed by a powerful political party in the area, forcing them to vacate the tournament and return to Colombo. Western Province Basketball Team comprising several top national players took part in the tournament held at St. Michael�s College Basketball Court more..

Aug 3 (Island) Opposition Leader of the Southern PC Justin Galappathi on Saturday said that UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had forced him to quit the party and join the SLFP-led ruling coalition. Addressing the press at Pamburana, Matara, Galappatti said that had Wickremesinghe given him his rightful place as the UNP Matara District Leader, he wouldn't have switched his allegiance to President Mahinda Rajapaksa. more..

Aug 3 (DM) Moulavi Rizvi of Batticaloa who is alleged to have been abducted by some members of a new Muslim group was released early morning yesterday amid Muslim politicians expressing fears that this new group was attempting to sow discord among Muslims in Sri Lanka. Western Province Governor Alavi Moulana said the moulavi was dumped near his mosque in Batticaloa with his head shaved and badly tortured. more..

Aug 3 (DM) Following the school term test crisis, the JVP said yesterday that it would intensify its campaign against the Provincial Council system with earnest vigour throughout the country. JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva told the Daily Mirror yesterday that this system was created to resolve the North-East conflict, but it was not implemented in two provinces. more..

Aug 3 (LNW) Sri Lanka's new Minister of Tourism, Nandana Gunathilaka has decided to give up the recently launched tagline "Sri Lanka; Small Miracle." The Minister has made the President aware that the use of the word "small" is not suitable for a great nation like Sri Lanka. However, Gunathilaka's clan earlier opposed power sharing on the basis that Sri Lanka is a small island. more..

Aug 3 (LBO) Several applications asking to vary orders made following a landmark judgment which reversed a transfer of state land to build a golf course were refused by Sri Lanka's Supreme Court, lawyers said. Last October, courts reversed the transfer of land to the Water's Edge golf course saying former president Chandrika Kumaratunga had abused power and violated public trust in the deal. more..

Aug 3 (Xinhua) Over 40,000 children below five years old in the welfare camps in Sri Lanka's northern Vavuniya district had not been immunized properly and the government will launch an immunization campaign to counter sporadic outbreaks of measles. The Island quoted Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva as saying that instructions and orders had been issued on Public Health Officers to vaccinate children at the camps against measles and polio as more..

Aug 3 (ANN) Pakistan was prepared to share vital commercial intelligence with Sri Lanka, the country�s trade authority said yesterday. Director General of TDAP, Nusrat Iqbal Jamshed, said they believed in the theory that whatever was good for them should be shared with other stakeholders. "We have done extensive studies on commercial intelligence and are prepared to share vital information with a friendly country such as Sri Lanka." more..

Aug 3 (Hindu) The Sri Lankan police have detained the Kilinochchi District Government Agent (District Collector), Nagalingam Vethanayagam, on suspicion of links with the LTTE. Sri Lankan Police media spokesman Ranjith D.A. Gunasekera told The Hindu that Mr. Vethanayagam is being questioned by a team of Terrorist Investigation Department on the basis of information provided by one of the Tiger cadres. more..

Aug 3 (CI) No team had ever chased down anything like to win a game in Dambulla, but with Mahela Jayawardene, promoted to opener in Sanath Jayasuriya's absence, and Upul Tharanga batting with freedom and assurance, Sri Lanka had every chance of sealing the series inside three games. Halfway through the pursuit, they were 147 for 0, with plenty of batting to come. more..

Aug 3 (BBC) Sri Lanka needs massive international financial assistance to help tens of thousands of Tamils displaced by conflict, the defence secretary says. In a BBC interview, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said he expected much more than had been promised by donors including the UN, the US and Japan. The funds are needed for facilities for nearly 300,000 people currently housed in government-run camps in the north. more..

Aug 4 (Reuters) New Zealand set off for their tour of Sri Lanka Monday after receiving assurances about their safety. The New Zealand Cricket Players Association (NZCPA) visited Sri Lanka last month to check on arrangements before giving players the go-ahead to proceed after they were promised extra security. "We've requested a few changes and now it's at a level where we're confident we can travel there safely," more..

Aug 4 (LBO) Sri Lanka's low costs has helped it to be ranked among the top 20 global outsourcing destinations for information technology and business process outsourcing (IT/BPO), an industry body said in a statement. The Sri Lanka Association of Software and Service Companies (SLASSCOM) quoted a survey by consulting firm A T Kearney as placing the island in 16th position among IT and BPO destinations, up from 29th position in 2007. more..

Aug 4 (LBO) Sri Lanka's gem exporters are targeting 35 billion rupees of foreign revenue this year with greater efforts to penetrate new markets like Russia, though earnings were down so far this year, an official said. Though there is a 34 percent decline in gem, jewellery and diamond exports in the first five months of this year compared to the same period last year with the internal conflict coming to an end gem industrialists are more positive. more..

Aug 4 (LBO) A professional body representing Sri Lanka's transport and logistics sector said it plans to get industry professionals together to lobby for better connectivity and less red tape. The end of the island's ethnic war, with government forces defeating the Tamil Tigers in May, should pave the way for an economic revival in which logistics would play a key role, officials said. more..

Aug 4 (GDI) Education Minister Susil Premajayanth has adopted measures to fullfil the needs in northern schools at the earliest. The Minister assured to fill all vacancies in the teacher and principal services and other administrative divisions. Principals, teachers and officials attached to the educational administrative service who attended the meeting pointed out shortcomings in schools. more..

Aug 4 (BBC) IDPs in the northern part of Sri Lanka are being smuggled out from their camps by organised groups says a Tamil MP. Sivanathan Kishore, TNA MP, says that �smuggling of people from these camps is going on for some time.� People in the camps have been paying huge money to get themselves out of the camps and some of them have even been escorted till the airport and have gone abroad, more..

Aug 4 (LBO) Seylan Bank said it plans to issue 86 million ordinary shares at 35 rupees each in a one-for-two public offering to existing shareholders and a private placement with two state-run financial institutions. The bank said in a stock exchange filing that the main aim of the issue was to raise three billion rupees in fresh capital to recapitalize the bank and meet statutory capital adequacy and liquidity requirements. more..

Aug 4 (IANS) Pakistan's cricket officials are happy that the ICC will probe claims that bookmakers tried to approach players during the current tour of Sri Lanka. A source in the PCB said Monday that the Pakistan Cricket Board's top brass is satisfied with the ICC's response to the claims and believes that the game's governing body will be able to tackle the issue in an appropriate manner with the help of its anti-corruption unit. more..

Aug 4 (LT) There is an attempt to hand over 100 tanks from the oil tank farm at China Bay in Trincomalee. Despite the attempt by the UNP government in 2002 to lease the oil tank farm to Indian government, it had to be withdrawn due to protest from trade unions. However, 100 tanks were handed over to India on an agreement that they could be taken over. Acording to this agreement the site had to be surveyed within 6 months and more..

Aug 4 (HRW) The Sri Lankan government's gross mishandling of the investigation into the execution-style slaying of 17 aid workers in the northeastern town of Mutur three years ago demonstrates the need for an international commission of inquiry, Human Rights Watch said today. Since mid-July 2009, government actions in the case - for which no one has been arrested, let alone convicted - raised further concerns about an already deeply troubling investigation, Human Rights Watch said. more..

Aug 4 (CI) Kumar Sangakkara described his team's run of success against Pakistan as "the good times" but was guarded enough to warn Sri Lanka to also be prepared for the bad ones after their six-wicket win in Dambulla gave them an unassailable 3-0 lead. "When you've got a team that's trying really hard it becomes easier," Sangakkara said at the end of the game. "These are the good times, but you've got to plan for the bad times as well which are surely going to come. more..

Aug 4 (LG) According to the BBC, the Sri Lanka Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse has stated �Sri Lanka needs massive international financial assistance to help tens of thousands of Tamils displaced by conflict�. A country that always has been resourceful to suppress the political demands of the minorities since independence and in particular spent trillions of sums from its national budgets for its military campaign against more..