Feb 28 (Island) Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal yesterday said that Sri Lanka�s economy faces "absolutely no risk even if there is a delay in the disbursement of the third tranche of IMF assistance" under a USD 2.6 billion dollar deal. He said that the country�s level of foreign reserves is such that "we are comfortable to face any adversity and hence there is no cause for any concern." more..

Feb 28 (ST) Several members of the last Parliament have decided to bid adieu to politics some for personal reasons, some because of poor health or having achieved their political aspirations seeing the need to pave the way for a likely successor. Among the most senior parliamentarians who are quitting active politics is Kurunegala district UNP MP Amara Piyaseeli Ratnayake who first entered Parliament in 1977. more..

Feb 28 (ST) Just when we thought it was safe to get back to 'normalcy' after all the hullabaloo that followed the presidential election � coups, conspiracies, midnight arrests and computer 'jilmart' etc. �- they are assailing us with another election and surprise, surprise the campaigning has begun in earnest. Oh, what a vibrant democracy we are, despite the withdrawal of the GSP Plus, the IMF's reluctance to release the third tranche and more..

Feb 28 (ST) A serving Army Major General, now on an overseas posting, has been re-called to Sri Lanka as CID detectives continued their investigations into the murder of Lasantha Wickrematunga. They want to question this senior officer, who had been dealing with intelligence matters, over evidence that has surfaced so far on the killing. He has been told to remain in Colombo until the process is completed. more..

Feb 28 (ST) Speaking to Lankapuvath national list MP, Dullas Alahapperuma gave his reasons for entering Parliament through the national list and not contesting an Electorate, quite candidly and convincingly. He had taken this decision as far back as 2005 and expressed clearly that he would stand by it till an amendment is made to the nature of electing candidates under the present Election System. more..

Feb 28 (Island) The TMVP denied that the government had withdrawn the security of its leader, Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan (Pillayan) of the Eastern Province, explaining that 40 army personnel in the chief minister�s security detail had been replaced with STF personnel. This was consonant with the government decision that the military will not provide security to politicians, more..

Feb 28 (SO) The National Freedom Front (NFF) vehemently condemned British Foreign Secretary David Miliband�s address at the London Tamil Forum. David Miliband has done irreparable damage to Sri Lanka�s sovereignty and territorial integrity, by participating in this conference, said NFF Leader Wimal Weerawansa. Weerawansa said that Sri Lanka�s efforts to eradicate the three-decade old LTTE terrorism and more..

Feb 28 (EB) A meeting of the fishermen of Jaffna and Tamil Nadu, which was to be held in Kachchateevu on the sidelines of the on-going St Anthony�s festival, has been cancelled. S Thavaratnam, president of the Jaffna District Fishermens� Societies Federation told Express over phone from Gurunagar in Jaffna on Saturday, that a good opportunity to thrash out mutual problems, especially those caused by extensive and intensive trawling by the Tamil Nadu fishermen, had been lost. more..

Feb 28 (Hindu) The Government is to amend the Act which deals with NGO with the objective to enable the concerned agencies to probe their activities and take appropriate action against them, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka told the Daily Mirror online. It quoted the Premier as saying that a Ministerial Committee appointed to propose amendments to the Act has already put forward a draft document more..

Feb 28 (BBC) Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya has been criticised for refusing to quit the sport as he enters politics. The veteran of the national team has said he will run in April's election on the governing coalition ticket of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Jayasuriya said he would continue to play one-day internationals but not Test cricket. Critics say those not selected for the team might feel they have to support the government to win a place. more..