Dec 15 (LB) The government last week withdrew an amendment to the Town and Country Planning Ordinance that if passed would have given the Minister of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs vast powers over any private property in the country. The Town and Country Planning (Amendment), a copy of which was obtained by LAKBIMAnEWS, consists of just eight clauses. Legal practitioners described the bill as �bizarre.� more..

Dec 15 (Guardian) Up to 50 passengers heading to Sri Lanka on a UK Border Agency forced-removals flight risk being tortured on their return, human rights organisations have warned. The flight, which will depart on Thursday afternoon from an as yet undisclosed British airport, is expected to go ahead despite new evidence of recent alleged mistreatment by Sri Lankan security services. The UK Border Agency has carried out two large-scale deportations to Sri Lanka since June, more..

Dec 15 (Island) The Justice Ministry assured that it would look into the delay on the part of the Attorney General in approving the National Audit Bill aimed at tackling waste, corruption and irregularities in the private sector. Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem and Justice Secretary Suhada Gamlath said that the ministry would raise the issue with relevant parties immediately. They were responding to a query by The Island regarding the more..

Dec 15 (Xinhua) Sri Lanka was grading industry energy efficiency in an attempt to make their exports more globally competitive. For the first time the Industry and Commerce Ministry, with the help of the private sector, has initiated a program to provide an industry grading for energy efficient companies under the Sri Lanka Standards Institution. "Sri Lanka must concentrate on evolving and absorbing an internationally acceptable accreditation for more..

Dec 15 (GDI) Sri Lanka is to established Human Right Council to deal with related issues, Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that the Government of Sri Lanka as per the voluntary pledge given in the course of its participation at the Universal Periodic Review meeting at the UNHRC in 2008 has decided to implement the National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP) already approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. more..

Dec 15 (GDI) President Mahinda Rajapaksa will open the Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond) Mahinda Rajapaksa Performing Arts Theatre today. The Theatre built on a model similar to the Nelum Pokuna of Polonnaruwa, was constructed with expertise from China at a cost of Rs 3.08 billion. Physical as well as spiritual developments are both important when considering the overall development of a country. Creativity and perception can be considered an more..

Dec 15 (AP) A Roman Catholic nun from Mother Teresa's charity who had been accused of running a "baby farm" has been cleared by a Sri Lankan court of any potential charges. Judge Yvonne Fernando discharged Sister Mary Eliza on Thursday without presenting charges. Eliza, from Mother Teresa of Calcutta's Missionaries of Charity, was arrested last month for allegedly selling babies born from unwed mothers. more..

Dec 15 (DM) Former cricket captain turned opposition politician Arjuna Ranatunga and his deputy skipper Aravinda de Silva were accused of match fixing by Gamini Lokuge, a former Minister of Sports, in Parliament. Mr. Ranatunga however denied the accusation stating that Interpol had cleared him and his former colleague of all charges. Mr. Lokuge who made the harsh allegations against Mr. Ranatunga said there were many charges against the latter. more..

Dec 15 (DM) Whatever the decisions taken by the authorities, the traders� organizations and the farmers themselves, it is always the consumers who happen to be at the receiving end. The newest regulation imposed by the Ministry of Trade that plastic crates are mandatory when transporting fruits and vegetables, saw hundreds of farmers and traders in various parts of the country, taking to roads to express vehemently their displeasure over the move. more..

Dec 15 (Island) The transfers of teachers to adjust the staff needs in the Eastern Province, which was suspended by President Mahinda Rajapaksa till Dec 2011, had been reactivated on the orders of the Eastern Province Governor, the Eastern Education Ministry sources said. Teachers from Sammanthurai, Kalmunai and other Education zones have been transferred to the Trincomalee and Batticaloa Districts. Several trade unions in the Education Department allege that more..

Dec 15 (AN) Two and half year since the end of the 30-year civil war, Tamils in northern Sri Lanka complain about the area�s militarisation and the slow pace of the govt�s development projects, and this despite the promises made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. In Jaffna peninsula, the ratio between military and the civilian population is 1 to 11, which means about 40-50,000 soldiers out of a population of 600,000. Thousands of Tamils and representatives of more..

Dec 15 (LBO) Sri Lanka's 2011 economic growth is likely to come slightly below an earlier expected 8.3 percent and inflation will be below 6.0 percent, Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal said. "Growth may be a little below 8.3 percent," Cabraal said. "But it will be higher than 8.0 percent." Cabraal said external conditions such as volatility in the Europe may stabilize next year. Sri Lanka's inflation has been checked with a stable exchange rate acting as an more..

Dec 15 (GDI) 400 new graduate teachers are to be recruited for service in the Western Province from January next year. The Western Province Education Ministry said that these graduates will be recruited based on the results of the written examination held recently. The Secretary to the Western Province Education Ministry said that the results will be released before the end of this year. After that the successful candidates will be called for interviews and more..

Dec 15 (LBO) Sri Lanka will go ahead with a new law requiring transport of fruits and vegetables in plastic crates but would look into any shortcomings after protests by farmers and traders led to shortages in the capital. "We're not changing the policy," declared minister Keheliya Rambukwella. He said there may have been shortcomings in the law with perhaps not enough time being given to implement the changes and inadequate consultation with more..

Dec 15 (LBO) Stocks ended weaker Thursday with some deals seen in companies seen to have strong fundamentals although turnover remained thin. All Share Price Index fell 0.16 percent to 5,941.32, while the more liquid Milanka index fell 0.72 percent to close at 5,190.97. Turnover was a low 469 million rupees, one of the lowest in recent months. Dialog Axiata, a mobile phone operator which Wednesday said it would buy Suntel, a fixed access unit, rose 20 cents to close at eight rupees, more..

Dec 15 (PTI) In the second such incident in over two weeks, five fishermen from here were on Thursday taken into custody by Sri Lankan naval force personnel when they were fishing near Katchatheevu, officials said. Fisheries department officials said the Sri Lankan navy chased fishermen who had put to sea in 711 boats and rounded up three boats. However, fishermen in two boats managed to escape but five fishermen in the third boat were taken into custody. more..

Dec 15 (LBO) Sri Lanka has decided to do health checks on applicants for resident visas to the island, minister Keheliya Rambukwella said. The cabinet of ministers has decided to conduct a health assessment for the resident visa applicants to Sri Lanka, he told a news conference. A statement said a large number of foreigners have been noted obtaining resident visas to Sri Lanka "to participate in investment and other related activities" after more..

Dec 15 (GDI) The Director General of the Irrigation Department G.G.A. Dodaliyadde said that twenty seven of the reservoirs have reached spill level due to heavy rain being experienced in the country. He further stated that the spill gates of ten of the sixty nine reservoirs in the country have been opened. The spill gates in the Manakattiya Reservoir in the Anuradhapura District as well as two spill gates of the Rajangana Reservoir have also been. The Parakrama Samudra Reservoir in Polonnaruwa was at 95 percent of capacity and more..

Dec 15 (NF) Police say that legal action has been initiated against 153 motorists for violating road rules since the opening of the Southern Expressway. Speaking to Newsfirst Police Media Spokesperson SP Ajith Rohana noted that the charges against the motorists include high speed driving and ignoring traffic signals. He went onto say that fifteen accidents have taken place on the expressway during that period. Police also request the public to refrain from walking along more..

Dec 15 (AP) Sri Lankan authorities agreed to restore access to a news website that had been blocked with four others for more than a month over alleged insults and character assassination. The TRC agreed to unblock srilankamirror.com on several conditions, including that it will not provide links to sites that are blocked or unregistered, said Saliya Pieris, counsel for the website. The site was partially available Thursday afternoon as some more..

Dec 15 (LBO) Sri Lanka is considered as a priority country for investment by Indian industry, the head of a visiting business mission from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has told the island govt. The 13-member CII mission's main business interests were IT/BPO, auto components, metal and plastic products, electronic and engineering products, hydro power generation, real estate, financial services, educational services, tourism and agriculture, more..

Dec 15 (CT) �Perera and Saravanamuttu believed that raising the issue of full implementation of the 13th Amendment was something of a �red herring� used by the GSL to avoid discussing reconciliation and a long-term equitable political solution.� the US Ambassador Patricia A Butenis wrote to Washington after a meeting with members of the civil society. A leaked US unclassified, but �SENSITIVE� diplomatic cable, recounts details of meetings the US Senate Foreign Relations more..

Dec 15 (DM) Police arrested the suspect who robbed Rs.6.6 million from an ATM in Kantale owned by a state owned bank on December 8, while he was hiding in the Peraru area in Kantale. Police media spokesman Ajith Rohana said that the suspect is believed to be a drug addict. He is now held under detention orders and is to be produced before the Kantale Magistrate. The Kanatale police also found cash worth Rs.1.9 million in his possession at the time of the arrest. more..

Dec 15 (LS) Deputy Inspector of the Jaffna district T.Indiran stated hotels operating in the district would be monitored by the police and also said police have lodged started special programme this regard. Inspector made this statement during a media briefing at Jaffna on this Thursday. Speaking at the briefing deputy inspector stated that we have received information�s on illegal activities which affect the culture of our country. At present we have taken several steps to protect our nation. more..

Dec 15 (CI) Predicting Test cricket in recent weeks has been a fool's game, but the opening day at Centurion went largely according to expectations as Sri Lanka struggled to handle the home side's bowling attack on a helpful pitch. Vernon Philander continued his prolific emergence with his third five-wicket haul in three matches - making him just the fifth bowler to achieve the feat - as Sri Lanka crumbled to 180. Although Graeme Smith fell moments before more..

Dec 15 (NF) The Convener of the Jana Aragala movement Chameera Koswatte says that the government cannot escape from the responsibility of ensuring the security of two of its members who went missing in Jaffna recently. He made this statement during a media briefing Wednesday. "We urge the Govt, the Minister of Defence as well as the IGP to ensure the safety of our comrades who were abducted in Jaffna. The Govt cannot escape from this responsibility." more..

Dec 15 (HN) President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared open the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Performing Arts Theatre today. Vice President of Chinese Republican Committee, Sang Chiang participated in the inauguration ceremony of Lotus Pond Mahinda Rajapaksa Artistic Theatre in Colombo as the special chief guest. Vice President of Chinese Republican Committee, Sang Chiang met with President Mahinda Rajapakse this afternoon at temple trees and President thanked the more..

Dec 15 (ST) The Mahanayaka theras have urged UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to hand over the party leadership to Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya while retaining the opposition leader�s position in Parliament. The four Mahanayaka theras in a letter to Mr Wickremesinghe that the tussel for the leadership was not suitable and that it was a hindrance for the functions of a good opposition in the country. more..

Dec 16 (NS) Toronto�s notorious communication lie factory Canadian Multicultural Radio (CMR) in its morning news service December 9 quoted TNA MP Sivasakthy Ananthan and said that the Wanni people were not even left with a mammoty as if this is news that has hitherto been unknown. Anantham should have known this long ago being a member from the Vavuniya District. Wanni farmers were equipped with dummy guns for training purposes of providing human shields for more..

Dec 16 (TC) If the Government thinks that all political parties in the Parliament must be consulted in finding a solution to the ethnic problem why did it initiate talks only with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the main Tamil politi cal party alliance on the same issue? On the other hand, why should the government appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) if it was correct to hold talks with the TNA in order to find a political solution? more..

Dec 16 (TC) Despite the military defeat of the LTTE in 2009, the recent developments outside of Sri Lanka depict that the certain segments within the Diaspora community are still sustaining the Tamil separatist movement in one way or the other. It takes us by no surprise that the so-called LTTE international network is still intact, and to date, many organizations that are sympathetic to the Tamil Eelam cause still exist worldwide. more..

Dec 16 (GV) The end of war did not envelope the country in peace nor is it practical to expect this to happen so soon after the termination of hostilities. Yet the expectation that the termination of hostilities will bring about energized and speedy attempts to bring about conditions that spell normalcy for the people. To make it operative political processes that restore civilian administration has to be revived, new or old institutions have to be set up to help people to more..

Dec 16 (GV) As members of the Tamil civil society interested in the existence and future well being of the Tamil Nation we wish to bring the following to your attention: (1) Regarding talks with the Government of Sri Lanka; arriving at a political solution: a) Despite several rounds of talks, while acknowledging that there appears to be some progress in the talks, the TNA released a public communique more..

Dec 16 (SL) UNP MP Wijedasa Rajapakse has officially announced that he will be in the running for the post of President for the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL). The Sunday Leader met with him to discuss his reasons for stepping forward and his thoughts on what needs to be changed. Excerpts: Q: What made you decide to run for the post of President of the Bar Association? A: I thought that I could make some change, so the people can feel that the more..

Dec 16 (Island) I often think that a worryingly large number of our people are victims of what could be called zombiism. In forms of African witchcraft a zombie is a dead person brought back to life and made to move by magic. Zombies are bereft of all powers of thinking and feeling; they are completely devoid of interest in anything; but they respond to the commands of the bokor, i.e. the witchdoctor whose evil purposes they are made to serve. The living dead among us behave similarly. more..

Dec 16 (TC) In September 2011 the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation ( NORAD) � a directorate under the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a report titled Pawns of Peace-�Evaluation of Norwegian Peace Efforts in Sri Lanka, 1997-2003�. This report probes two important questions: what went wrong with Norwegian peace efforts in Sri Lanka? And what lessons does the failed Sri Lankan peace process offer to conflict resolutionists? more..

Dec 16 (ST) Hidden by the high-rise buildings clustered in the bustling streets of Fort, lies a jewel of Sri Lanka�s past. Facing the towering concrete and glass facade of the twin towers of the World Trade Centre is a planed saffron structure that is rightfully a heritage site. The Old Dutch Hospital was constructed all of four centuries ago and is a resounding reminder of 17th century Dutch architecture with high ceilings, thick walls, large wide more..

Dec 16 (SL) The latest cold and damp cross over to the government, ends up only with a �Monitoring� desk. But feels quite sane in telling the people its a personal sacrifice for the future of all school going children who need a good education. Gossip is nasty though that says the Inland Revenue Department wouldn�t compromise on the 08 million rupee tax arrears due last year. This world is more than insane. �When God goes mad, who�d remain sane ?� That seems the situation more..

Dec 16 (Island) Sanity has prevailed��at long last. The govt has decided to suspend the enforcement of the so-called crate law for one more month and to address the grievances of farmers, traders and transporters who took to the streets the other day in protest. It is hoped that vegetable and fruit supplies will return to normal with prices coming down to affordable levels. Now that the govt has softened its stand, it is imperative that the protesting farmers, traders and truckers reciprocate. more..