Dec 24 (GDI) The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), together with Sri Lanka Railways have arranged for special bus and train services during the festive season. The SLTB has already arranged for special bus services to cater to commuters in Negombo, Ja-Ela, Katunayake, Wattala, Wennappuwa, Chilaw, Moratuwa and also all other parts of the country. Most of the buses have been deployed for night service targeting more..

Dec 24 (GDI) Presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka, the UNP and the JVP are making contradictory statements time and again. General Sarath Foneseka says he does not want to be another William Gopallawa. Ranil Wickramasinghe says he will be an Executive Prime Minister in a caretaker government. The JVP says there wont be any Executive Prime Minister in a caretaker Government. more..

Dec 24 (MoD) Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka making a special statement over the Rupavahini after the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers yesterday said the Cabinet was appalled at the total irresponsibility and blatant statement of General (Rtd) Sarath Fonseka's which is reckless and entirely without foundation. more..

Dec 24 (MoD) Sri Lanka's efforts to strengthen health facilities in the North have received a tremendous boost by a German donation of medical equipment worth about One million Euro. An embassy spokesperson told The Island that the equipment was given to the government hospital at Chettikulam. This donation was made in line with the longstanding commitment made by the German Red Cross to Sri Lanka. . more..

Dec 24 (PSM) With the onset of the North-East monsoon in the Eastern parts of the country, continuous rain falls during the last few days have resulted in flooding again in many areas in the Ampara and Batticaloa districts. More than 80,000 families have been affected and are finding temporary shelters in schools, places of worship and relatives� houses. Undue delays in relief effort reaching the victims are more..

Dec 24 (LP) The first budget of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) under the regime of Chief City Administrator Omar Kamil was presented. The CMC budget for the year 2010 is based on estimated revenue of Rs.6709 million, compared to an expected expenditure Rs.6,707 million. All development activities of the council for the year 2010 are planned with the objective of earning the above estimated revenue of Rs.6709 million. more..

Dec 24 (LP) �The construction of 18.7 bn final stage from Galle (Pinnaduwa) to Matara will commence within the next few days under funding from Exim Bank of China and is scheduled to be completed in 24 months or by the end of 2011,� according to the Road Development Authority (RDA). President Mahinda Rajapaksa, is to officially flag-off the commencement of work with the laying of the foundation stone before the end of this month. more..

Dec 24 (LP) The celebration of the feast of the Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus, should not simply be the commemoration of historic event nor should it be just the celebration of a birth said Archbishop of Colombo Rev Dr Malcolm Ranjith in his message for Christmas. It should rather be a renewal of our commitment to Jesus Christ and more..

Dec 24 (GV) Despite my disagreement with your �anti-dialectical� approach to a world in transition, I must say, I enjoyed reading your comments for their rather simplistic clarity. I�ve heard exactly the same kind of sentiments from my beer-loving middle-class friends who love discussing politics (or any other subject under the sun) as a pastime. After all, the world is full of petite bourgeois cynics who�re more..

Dec 24 (LT) The carnival �Galle Mela� which was one of the main items in the election propaganda of the president, was compelled to be stopped by the objection of the commissioner for elections. It is reported that the government observers came to know that a considerable per cent of votes in Galle will be casted to General Sarath Fonseka, being the birthplace of him and the carnival was organized targeting these votes. more..

Dec 24 (DN) Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe yesterday said Sarath Fonseka has compromised the Security Forces and the country by making an irresponsible statement to achieve petty and narrow political objectives. He said that General Sarath Fonseka�s statement to the effect that Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa had ordered 58th Division Commander Major General Shavendra Silva to open fire at key LTTE leaders who more..

Dec 24 (LT) A certificate with the signature of Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse has been awarded to civil defense sections aiming to boost the image of President Mahinda Rajapakse as an election gimmick. The reason for the sudden issue of this certificate is the fear that President Rajapakse would not get the votes of personnel of the security forces, their families, relations and associates as more..

Dec 24 (LT) The price of a kilo of �samba� rice at Maradagahamula Rice Trade Centre has risen to Rs. 84. The wholesale price of a kilo of rice at the market on the 20th was Rs.80 to 82 while the retail price was Rs.84. The kilo of �Nadu� rice was sold for a price between Rs.70 � 71 and the retail price was Rs.73. The wholesale price of red rice was Rs.67 while its retail price was Rs. 69. more..

Dec 24 (LT) Common candidate General Sarath Fonseka stated that, after coming into presidency right action will be taken for all depositors who were victimized by the fraudulent financial companies. He made the statement meeting a group of depositors who were victimized by unregistered financial companies, at his election steering office. more..

Dec 24 (LNP) The UN is weeping buckets for the dead terrorists in Sri Lanka and demanding to know how some of them perished in the final phase of the war. It is working like billy-o to press war crimes charges against this country. War crimes, or all crimes for that matter, must be probed and perpetrators brought to justice. The UN, no doubt, has a right to inquire into such matters but it needs to make specific charges without going by hearsay and be nonpartisan in conducting investigations. more..

Dec 24 (LT) It is reported that President Mahinda Rajapakse is attempting to get the support of TNA to get Tamil votes for him. TNA was continuously branded as proxies of the LTTE by the ministers of the government as well as state media. Several rounds of talks have been held with the TNA and more rounds of talks have been scheduled for the next few weeks. As a result of these talks TNA is expected to announce their decision on the 4th of January. more..

Dec 24 (DN) China has always been a partner in development but never was a monitor of our government. The Chinese Government and the people of China came forward to help from Day One to assist us resettle a very large number of people who became Internally Displaced, Basil Rajapaksa MP said. He further said there were several persons on the international front who advise and monitor us but do not help the country, more..

Dec 24 (DN) The Government will commission the concrete flyover in Gampaha at the end of this month. This will ease the heavy traffic congestion at the Gampaha junction. Project Director T.S.H. Abeywickrame told the Daily News that construction work of the Gampaha flyover is now nearing completion. The Government has spent around Rs 300 million for the project. The four-lane flyover will be 410 metres in length and 15 metres in width. more..

Dec 24 (DN) Sri Lanka Customs has gradually upgraded the IT based clearing system with the introduction of the ASYCUDA automated cargo clearance system. This will lead to a paperless clearing system. It will automate manifest and payment systems to facilitate all imports and exports from January 1, 2010. The process will initiate a new beginning in automation of Customs functions with plans to become 100 percent electronic next year. more..

Dec 24 (Island) The "revival" of the LTTE in the East, was a government canard to create a fear psychosis among the people during the Presidential Election campaign, SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem said. He said that the so called "LTTE Group headed by Kones", was none other than a combination of pro-government Tamil armed groups, that continued to terrorise the Eastern Province population. more..

Dec 24 (Island) Sri Lanka yesterday asked the EU not to interfere in its domestic politics, particularly in relation to the forthcoming presidential polls. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama summoned EU Ambassador in Colombo Bernard Savage to protest against a recent remark attributed to the top diplomat regarding former Army Chief General Sarath Fonseka contesting the January 26 presidential poll. more..

Dec 24 (TC) It is not that there is no thinking in Tamil politics; there might be too much thinking going on. There is no institutional apparatus to screen out bad thinking and try out better options. And the free license of the internet has provided the medium for unsupervised circulation of idiotic thinking. Transnational government is a prime example � the kind of political idiocy only expatriate electronic expertise can create and sustain. more..

Dec 24 (Island) The Government will negotiate with foreign construction companies to recruit more Sri Lankan labourers because some Chinese companies have brought Chinese labourers to work in construction sites. Some Chinese companies sign contracts with the Sri Lankan Government stipulating they wish to recruit Chinese labourers instead of Sri Lankan labourers because Chinese labour was cheap. more..

Dec 24 (LP) As the world celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace this year, Christians in Sri Lanka have more causes for the joy of Christmas in a country that is no more threatened by the dark clouds of terror said President Mahinda Rajapaksa issuing a message. The spirit of Christmas is one of loving and giving it brings together families and communities to share the joy of the Birth of Jesus Christ who more..

Dec 24 (UNP) LFP (M) Mangala Samaraweera reading out the Mahinda Chintana booklet of promises 2005 said, the President promised to look after pregnant mothers, lactating mothers and children by promising them nutrition packages and meals. But after nearly four years in power he could not deliver any of those promises. But, he certainly succeeded in milk drying mother Lanka to the point of extinction, more..

Dec 24 (IL) The Educate Lanka Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization based in the Greater Washington D.C. area, has been selected among the top 100 most voted charities on Facebook and has won a $25,000 donation from Chase Bank. Educate Lanka, the only Sri Lankan charity to achieve this esteemed recognition, competed against over 500,000 other U.S. based 501 (C) 3 charities in the first round of the Chase Community Giving Program. more..

Dec 24 (DM) The question and Answer session on the issue at the press conference with MInister Mahinda Samarasinghe. Q: Gen. Sarath Fonseka has retracted his statement and he said that Shavendra Silva had been given instructions by the Secretary of Defence to disregard the white flags and shoot at the LTTE leaders but he as the commander of the Army decided to ignore it. In that sense your allegation seems baseless? more..

Dec 24 (DM) While President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the government have a much publicised �Mathata Thitha� anti drugs and alcohol programme in full swing, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) which is run by interim officials appointed by his Sports Minister is buying off some of the country�s sports journalists by entertaining them with alcohol and lavish food. Copies of documents that are in possession of the �Daily Mirror� show that more..

Dec 24 (DM) Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and British High Commissioner Peter Hayes held discussions on Monday to discuss the possibility of acquiring the former British High Commission premises along Galle Road in Kollupitiya near Temple Trees, sources within the Foreign Ministry told Daily Mirror. The two are said to have discussed, among other matters, the interest of the Foreign Ministry in procuring the former British High Commission premises located in Kollupitiya. more..

Dec 24 (Island) About two months before the final battle on the banks of the Nanthikadal lagoon in May, the United States had offered to evacuate top LTTE leaders and their families. The unprecedented proposal had been made by the then US Ambassador in Colombo Robert Blake after the Co-Chairs to the Sri Lankan peace process, spearheaded by the Norwegians agreed that the LTTE could no longer halt the army advance. more..

Dec 24 (GDI) The Government will not take political advantage over the statement of retired General Sarath Fonseka, Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said at the weekly cabinet briefing today. He said the government did not wish to penalize any individual without a valid reason and added that the present administration was a democratic entity. more..

Dec 24 (LG) Language spoken at home should not be used when addressing people through a national broadcasting service. I am a regular listener of the �Ratama Katha Karai� program of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC). This program is presented by the Chairman of SLBC itself, Mr Hudson Samarasinghe. During week-ends, this program is aired over 2-hours period in all three major services, more..

Dec 24 (DM) A decision by the Attorney General not to come in the way of a bail application for journalist Tissainayagam, the relaxing of registration rules for Tamils visiting Colombo and a hike in the pension of servicemen, all have been met with one liner by Daily Mirror web readers � Santa Claus is coming to town!There are so many hampers that people have finally lost count. If this is not enough one has Wasantha Karannagoda complaining that Sarath Fonseka�s allegations are affecting Sri Lanka's chances in Haiti. more..

Dec 24 (Hindu) Sri Lanka and China have signed three framework agreements amounting to US$ 410 million under which the Chinese government will provide concessional funding for several projects in Sri Lanka, including the second international airport at Mattala. An official announcement said here on Thursday that the pacts were signed between Secretary to the Treasury P.B. Jayasundera and the Vice Minister of Commerce of China Chen Jian in China on Wednesday. more..

Dec 24 (Hindu) Much to its embarrassment, the Sri Lanka government on Thursday announced that the letter sent by Professor Rajiva Wijesinghe, in response to a letter sent by the UN Special Rapporteur Phillip Alston, on charges made by former Army Chief Sarath Fonsenka against the Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa about the sequence of events in the last phase of the Eelam War IV (May 16 to 19), should be treated as withdrawn. more..

Dec 25 (AD) The Defence Ministry has eased the fishing restrictions along the maritime area from Wellawatte to Uswetikeiyawa near Hendala with effect from today (December 24). The area was banned for fishing boats due to security concerns. However the area is still considered a high security zone, according to the Sri Lanka Navy media spokesman who confirmed the easing of restrictions to Adaderana. more..

Dec 25 (LBO) A steep state worker salary hike promised by opposition presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka would require 132 billion rupees to be extracted from the people through taxes each year. State revenue minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya told reporters that the monthly salary bill of state workers was now 28 billion rupees a month and the increment of 10,000 rupees per person would require an additional 11 billion rupees a month. more..

Dec 25 (IRIN) The Asian tsunami left more than 220,000 people dead in 13 countries, including some 35,000 in Sri Lanka. Koneshwari Sivaganeshan, 11, who lives with her grandmother in the eastern town of Batticaloa, recalls that day five years ago: �It was a horrible experience. There was water everywhere and the waves were gigantic. Everywhere I looked, I saw people being washed away. It was a nightmare seeing the water rise so high. more..

Dec 25 (Reuters) Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa is seeking re-election in a January poll, with the main challenger his former army chief Sarath Fonseka, who led the military to victory in a 25-year war against separatists. Here are some questions and answers on the up coming polls: WHO IS LEADING THE POLL CAMPAIGN? With a record 22 candidates in the field, the incumbent president leads Fonseka. more..

Dec 25 (GV) I have been following Mr. Jayatilleka�s articles both on Groundviews and Tamil Week. While I do agree with some of his ideas such as a multi-ethnic Sri Lanka where citizenship is not defined by ethnicity, I disagree with his argument that mostly puts the onus on the Tamil minority to tread the line based on his definition of what constitutes a reasonable approach in their struggle to gain equal citizenship in Sri Lanka. more..

Dec 25 (GDI) Cabinet granted approval to a memorandum submitted by Minister of Ports and Aviation, Chamal Rajapaksa to appoint a Negotiating Committee (CANC) and a Project Committee (PC), a) To prepare and call for Request for Proposals, from the interested parties for the Commencement of Business Ventures on Hambantota Port Development Project. b) To evaluate and negotiate with the bidders on their proposal for more..

Dec 25 (CT) Elections chief Dayananda Dissanayake has instructed senior officials of the government to refrain from making statements supportive of or against any of the candidates to next month's presidential polls. A circular issued by him says the order would be applicable for the commanders of the three armed forces, the governor of the Central Bank as well as senior officials of the state media and other officials of government institutions. more..

Dec 25 (CT) New legislation to be enacted early next year will see the imposition of fines of up to Rs. 15,000 for garbage dumping by the roadsides, said the Central Environmental Authority. The law will come into force after the implementation of a proper garbage collection system. Garbage dumping by the roadsides has become a health hazard and an inconvenience to road users, he noted. more..

Dec 25 (AT) Post May 2009 heralded what most believed to be as Sri Lanka�s real independence. A country suffering almost 30 years of terrorist activity was able to finally be happy that the LTTE terror reign was now over and the country was able to salute its heroes and kick start its future. Every member who contributed to the demise of the LTTE was a leader in his own right and a leader of that moment. more..

Dec 25 (Reuters) Thousands of ethnic Tamils displaced during Sri Lanka's war have gone home again, but are finding basic services and infrastructure lacking despite a massive government post-war resettlement programme. The government has gradually been resettling around 300,000 ethnic minority Tamil people, most displaced in the final phase of the army offensive against the LTTE, which ended with the Tiger's defeat in May after a 25-year war. more..

Dec 25 (SLW) In a media conference held today at Colombo, the Gvt Media Spokesperson and Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa was involved in some heated word tussles with media personages regarding the demand of the voice record of Sarath Fonseka�s sensational interview with the Sunday Leader. Yesterday, K.D Lalkantha the JVP Mp demanded the voice recording of Sarath Fonseka�s interview. more..

Dec 25 (CI) Virtually chanceless centuries from Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir made sure they would go to their home ground, Feroz Shah Kotla, with the series in the bag. The ease with which they chased down 316 in 48.1 overs, with Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar out inside the first four overs, and the absences of MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh for this match, was remarkable. On a day that youngsters outshone the more familiar performers in the series, more..