Aug 10 (DM) A complaint lodged by a land owner that Deputy Petroleum Minister Sarana Gunawardena had asked for Rs.250 million in order to continue construction of a housing scheme , was forwarded to the Bribery Commission by Police Chief N.K. Illangakone. The complainant Duminda Lakshan Liyanage who is a resident of Pelawatta is putting up a housing scheme at Horagolla. He had lodged his complaint at more..

Aug 10 (SM) Colombo additional magistrate Prasanna Alwis today ordered the CID to obtain a written submission from the attorney general as to whether the computers seized from srilankamirror website were needed to be retained any longer for investigation. The court was taking up the case pertaining to the raid on the Srilankamirror and srilankaxnews websites, the arrest of nine employees and the seizure of computers. CID inspector Anura de Silva was more..

Aug 10 (SM) A team of Commissioners(Human Rights Commission) including the Chairman, two Directors and Legal Officers of the Human Rights Commission, Prof. Rajiva Wijesinghe MP and Jeevan Thiagarajah, Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (CHA )recently visited the Welikada Prison having consulted the Commissioner General and senior Officers and spoke with the inmates. They met with remandees, convicted prisoners as well those serving life terms, according to a CHA report. more..

Aug 10 (Xinhua) SLMC on Friday apologized for an anti-religious statement made in the run up to elections in September, a statement released by its leader said. SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem apologized for a statement made regarding Buddhist monks engaging in politics and insisted that his words were maliciously taken out of context. "With no further attempts at procrastination, I wish to tender an unreserved apology to all Buddhists of Sri Lanka. more..

Aug 10 (DM) Activists for Human Rights (AFHR) today alleged that the Jaffna Police attempted to influence family members to conduct the funeral of Mariadas Navis Dilrukshan, this evening. AFHR Executive Committee Member Udul Premarathne said the Jaffna Police officials had requested the Jaffna Magistrate to issue a court order to prevent a large crowd from attending Dilrukshana�s funeral. However, the Jaffna Magistrate had refused to issue such an court order and more..

Aug 10 (CG) The United Nations announced that it will allocate $55 million to bolster operations in eight countries including Sri Lanka with neglected humanitarian emergencies. Afghanistan, Cameroon, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and Sudan will all receive funds from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to help provide food, water, health and other basic services. �These CERF grants provide critical funding. more..

Aug 10 (Island) A man sentenced to death for murdering his wife attempted suicide in the dock at the Nuwara Eliya High Court after the Judge handed down the death sentence. The incident had occurred around 11.00 a.m. in the High Court. The man had, on being sentenced, pulled out a blade and slashed his neck. He said the convict, Ramaiya Krishnamurthi, was undergoing treatment at the Nuwara Eliya hospital and is being guarded by prison officials. more..

Aug 10 (CI) Since his Test debut in 2004, Lasith Malinga has been one of the most discussed bowlers in international cricket, his unusual action causing great curiosity, though it has never been formally questioned. Like most players, Malinga is a product of his environment. His youth was spent playing tennis-ball cricket on the beach, where he adapted his skill and action to suit his environment, producing a delivery that limited the bounce a tennis ball produced, allowing him to hit the target. more..

Aug 10 (AD) The Anuradhapura Magistrate�s Court has issued notice to 13 govt officials including former North Central Province Chief Minister, Berty Premalal Dissanayake under charges of using state property for election propaganda activities. North Central Province Civil Appeals High Court Judge issued notice to 13 officials including the former North Central Chief Minister, Secretary to the Governor and more..

Aug 10 (Island) SriLankan Airlines demonstrated its high level of professionalism in human resource management and development when it won a Silver award in the govt-owned business category at the recently concluded National HRM Awards 2012, organized by the Organisation of HR Professionals Sri Lanka in partnership with AON Hewitt, the world�s largest HR consulting group. SriLankan wins this award after a lull of 5 years, having last won such an accolade in 2007. more..

Aug 10 (BBC) The Sri Lankan, 38, signed a contract extension after being named the club's player of the season last year. But he last played for the county against Glamorgan in July and has not recaptured last season's form. Northants Cricket chief executive David Smith said: "This is disappointing news for Chaminda and the team. He played such an important role over the past couple of years." Vaas has played in six County Championship matches this season, more..

Aug 10 (IL) Ambassador Designate to the Kingdom of Belgium, Mr. P.M. Amza assumed duties at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Brussels today, (8). The assumption of duties was marked by a formal event held at the Embassy including the participation of religious dignitaries from Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Islam faiths. Prior to his appointment as Ambassador to Belgium, he has served in different capacities in the more..

Aug 10 (AD) The complaints center of the Elections Secretariat say it has received a total of 108 complaints pertaining to violations of election laws. Meanwhile the PAFFREL says over 50 complaints of election law violations have been received and that a majority were reported from Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa Districts. Especially complaints regarding the use of state property and state officials for election propaganda work have been reported from Anuradhapura and more..

Aug 10 (MoD) The rehabilitee, Muthulingam Neminathan, now 30 years old who joined the LTTE as a child soldier when he was barely 11 years of age, stole the show in ongoing 'Defence Seminar' sessions on Thursday (9) at Colombo Galadari Hotel by narrating his tale of woe under LTTE diktats in the presence of delegates representing more than 43 countries. Speaking in Tamil and dressed in a traditional Hindu-type 'Vettiya', the smiling more..

Aug 10 (CI) Before the tournament has even had a chance to begin, the ubiquitous Sri Lanka Premier League billboards above Colombo's concrete chaos already seem outdated. Many of the advertisements feature an intense Kumar Sangakkara; others a grinning Chris Gayle. A fractured finger will keep Sangakkara out of the tournament until the very end - if at all - and Gayle's groin strain has ruled him out completely. For a domestic Twenty20 tournament more..

Aug 11 (DBS) The widely advertised �war for peace� came to an end more than three years ago. Yet the fruits of this peace are yet to be enjoyed by the people in the North, who were most affected mentally, physically and economically. This reality is verified by the day to day events which are taking place here. The hope for a real peace is declining day by day. The Commission for Justice and Peace of the Catholic Diocese of Jaffna feels that more..

Aug 11 (DBS) The 65 million Tamils across the Palk Strait have played a huge role in the Sri Lankan conflict. They make Sri Lanka�s Sinhalese majority a minority both globally and in the immediate region, and they have become extremely hostile to the govt, which many of them regard as Sinhalese rather than Sri Lankan. They are commonly perceived as a threat to the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. Indeed, there is no doubt that at least some of them have actively supported Sri Lankan militants more..

Aug 11 (DBS) Ketheeswaran Loganathan called generally as �Ketheesh� was assassinated Six years ago on August 12th exactly one year after Lakshman Kadirgamar was killed. With his departure one more Tamil who wanted his people to live with equal rights in a united Lanka and championed that cause in the face of danger was done away with. One more person capable of rising above prevailing hatred and insanity in more..

Aug 11 (CT) I�m a Buddhist and have the utmost respect for the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha, that being the community of practice. There are, however, claimed and robed Buddhists who are a shame to us all, to all Sri Lankans. For example, in Panamai, a mob led by a Buddhist monk has stolen a statue from a Hindu Kovil, a place where it was safe for Buddhists or Hindus to worship. This violent thuggery is an affront to all people of faith, and everyone really. Despite the ethnic conflict, there hasn�t traditionally been religious beef. more..

Aug 11 (CT) Land and land policy has received much attention in recent times. There are numerous discussions and activism around land policy. For example, the LLRC has recommendations about land disputes in the North; land disputes were mentioned in the resolution passed against Sri Lanka during the 18th session of the UNHRC; there are studies largely based on the notion of land rights; some civil society groups have organised themselves to work against on land grabbing, more..

Aug 11 (Island) Alan Paton, best known for his political novel Cry, the Beloved Country, was a South African anti-apartheid activist, political liberal, writer and poet. He began life as a teacher and was later in charge of a Reformatory for young African offenders where he introduced many progressive reforms. In 1948, Cry, the Beloved Country was published. more..

Aug 11 (CT) In Biblical terms, man is condemned as a sinner forever because his first prototype, Adam, committed the Original Sin against the caution of his creator. In economic terms, as presented first by economists Barry Eichengreen and Ricardo Hausmann in 1999 and later refined with Ugo Panizza in 2002, the Original Sin refers to a situation where a country which is unable to borrow abroad in its own currency since foreigners do not more..

Aug 11 (DBS) University academic staff have now been on strike for one month. This is now the longest strike engaged in by university teachers in this country. Minister Basil Rajapaksa has been called upon to settle the matter. Last Wednesday, a meeting was held between representatives of the Federation of University Teacher�s Associations (FUTA) and Rajapaksa whose team of negotiators comprised of Charitha Herath, Anura Siriwardene, Damma Dissanayake among others. more..

Aug 11 (SO) As the Meteorological Department is forecasting no major rainy weather condition in many parts of the country until the end of September or the beginning of October, Govt officials expedited drought mitigation projects to save cultivation from being destroyed and to provide relief to the drought-hit farmer community in the country. According to estimates coming from various sources, 338,192 farmer families have been more..

Aug 11 (CT) One can only thank Mr. C.A. Chandraprema for choosing an apt title �University Dons in Cuckoo land� for his article published in the Island of 4th August. There is no disagreement that is exactly where university dons have been for the last several years. The difference now is that finally they have realized how �cuckoo� they have been to believe that Sri Lanka is marching towards a Knowledge Hub when over the last 6 years the reality is that funding per university more..

Aug 11 (Island) The govt would have us believe that it is fighting a host of Sri Lanka�s external enemies. But, why should any outside force exert itself to carry out a destabilisation campaign against this country which is on a suicidal course. Some State institutions like the CPC and the CEB are apparently doing their damnedest to ruin the national economy and plunge the country into chaos. The Colombo Port functioned even at the height of of LTTE terror but in peace time it is likely to get crippled thanks to the CPC, whose contaminated diesel more..

Aug 11 (Island) You left our shores seven long years ago, when we really needed your presence for a plethora of reasons, foremost among them is the fact that, you would have been the happiest, 'Statesman of Sri Lanka' to see the scourge of terrorism defeated, for which you sacrificed your life. At, all world fora where you were the dignified for this proud land of ours, your clarion call was to assist us in defeating terrorism; more..

Aug 11 (Island) He trains while working. He runs 17 miles back and forth from his residence to his work place, a bakery shop, where he is a shop assistant. Despite having to strike a balance between work and training, the South Asian Games gold medalist, who left for London leaving room for controversy theories to breed one after the other some seven years ago, has powered his way to earn an entry to run in the London Olympics marathon which will be held on Sunday. During last seven years Anuradha Cooray has adapted to UK more..

Aug 11 (FT) Sino Lanka Hotels Holdings (Pvt.) Limited, Kandy Hotels Co. (1938) PLC, together with ONYX Hospitality Group, yesterday celebrated the launch of OZO Kandy, the second OZO property to be built in Sri Lanka. Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Chief Minister of Central Province Sarath Ekanayake, Central Province Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa, Mayor of Kandy Mahendra Ratwatte, shareholders and owners of Sino Lanka Hotels Holdings and The Kandy Hotels Co. (1938) PLC and more..

Aug 11 (Island) Minister Douglas Devananda on Tuesday declared that it was through impact evaluation only, either the success or the failure of the projects launched by the Government could be inferred. Accordingly, by conducting workshops similar to the one held on that day, the State employees could come to know better the service to be rendered to the public and also the contribution made to the country through development projects, launched by their Ministries. more..

Aug 11 (Island) Consultant Vitro Retina Surgeon Dr. Charith Fonseka said Thursday night that the Association of Vitro Retina Specialists of Sri Lanka was faced with a dearth of surgeons to perform vitro retina operations. Of late, due to road traffic accidents and diabetes, there had been an upward trend in ocular trauma. He blamed the shortage of Vitro Retina surgeons on the constant delay in commencing training courses on Vitro Retina surgery by the more..

Aug 11 (Island) The National Cosmetic Devices and Drug Authority (NCDDA) yesterday cautioned the public to ensure that all cosmetics and drugs they use were registered with it prior to usage. This was due to the death of a 60-year-old in Kahawatte, Opathawatta. The man had died of an allergic reaction to a type of hair dye he had used. The incident had taken place last Monday when the victim had applied a henna type of hair dye more..

Aug 11 (DN) The second annual Youth Fest will take place from August 24 to 26 at the MAS Institute of Management Technology, Thulhiriya. The three day event, which looks to promote experiential learning among Sri Lankan youths, will have over 250 participants ranging from university undergraduates and school leavers, to members of youth organisations. Over 50 of the participants will be flying in from outside Sri Lanka to participate in the event. The event is organised by more..

Aug 11 (DN) The Japanese govt granted Rs 3.7 million to increase the supply capacity of artificial limbs by providing equipment to manufacturing shops under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP). The contract in this regard was signed between Japanese ambassador Nobuhito Hobo and the Colombo Friend-in-Need Society. The project will be implemented by the Colombo Friend-in-Need Society which has provided free artificial limbs to those in need and will more..

Aug 11 (DN) President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday decided to appoint a commission to look into the present situation in the higher education sector and submit a report on remedial measurers to him. A press release issued by the President�s Media Division said the govt intends to look into the present situation in the higher education sector, including the university system, and draw up a plan for the development of the higher education sector. more..

Aug 11 (CT) BEFORE I left on my Sri Lankan holiday, I made sure I got shots for typhoid and hepatitis, got pills for malaria and gastro, and got a mosquito repellent for dengue fever - a heavy-duty 80 per cent DEET one with the instructions "May dissolve plastics, rayon, and vinyl car seats. Apply evenly to skin". But for some reason I completely forgot to take any health precautions for Earnest Try-Hard Patronising Western-Tourist Disease and, oh man, I came down with a shocking case of it. more..

Aug 11 (RHT) IT'S been a big learning curve for Yanick Fernando as he makes the most of the 2012 Max Potential program. One of the 15 Hills youth who followed the intensive 22-week program run by Castle Hill RSL, Yanick's project is to send warm clothes to needy people in his native Sri Lanka. The year 11 William Clarke College student displayed his plans at his well organised stall at the Max Potential showcase expo at the RSL last Thursday more..

Aug 11 (Island) Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris asserted that external interventions, on behalf of those still pursuing separatist sentiments, could jeopardize national reconciliation efforts. Addressing the second army-organized seminar, �Towards Lasting Peace and Stability� at Hotel Galadari, Colombo, Prof. Peiris pointed out that a section of the Tamil Diaspora couldn�t realize the irreversibility of the LTTE�s battlefield defeat. more..