June 22 (DN) Facets 2012, the country�s premier gem and jewellery exhibition will be held from September 5 to 8 at the BMICH in Colombo. The exhibition will be sponsored by the National Gem and Jewellery Association and co-sponsored by the Export Development Board. �Facets is the country�s only international gem and jewellery exhibition showcasing the world�s finest products under one roof. The National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) will have a three prong approach to more..

June 22 (TOI) Fishermen of Akkaraipettail village in Nagapattinam district did not venture into the sea for the third day in succession in protest against the arrest of their counterparts by the Sri Lankan coast guard. Though the state government has ensured the release of the nine Tamil fishermen, about 12,000 fisherfolk went ahead with the strike. The fishermen remained at home from Tuesday morning as soon as they came to know about the incident that took place on Monday when the nine fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan coast guard more..

June 22 (FT) In a strong move, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday urged the Govt to table in Parliament full details of all investments in listed companies of the Colombo stock market by EPF and ETF since January 2010 to April 2012. This call was made when UNP Leader Wickremesinghe made a special statement under the Standing Order (23) 2 in response to growing concerns over the fate of funds of EPF and ETF via what the Opposition more..

June 22 (Island) Transport Minister Kumar Welgama lamented in Parliament that SLTB buses could not be tested for emissions for the past two years. He said that action would be taken to test the SLTB busses in the near future and a committee chaired by Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama had been appointed to look into the matter. He said that only two institutions operated centres countrywide to test vehicle emissions. Permission had been sought to set up vehicle emission testing more..

June 22 (Island) Katuwana style killings in the South by Hambantota gangsters were an everyday occurrence in the North and East, the UNP said yesterday. One could imagine the current situation in the areas which were once under LTTE control going by the happenings in the South, Senior Vice President of the UNP Lakshman Kiriella MP, told a news conference. "Katuwana style murders are an everyday occurrence in the North and East, still under the boot of terror groups," more..

June 22 (SL) Karaoke bars are fast becoming places where prostitution is rife, according to our investigations. Juxtaposed to that women who work at karaoke bars are taken by clients to other locations to engage in sexual activities without rousing any suspicion, especially that of the owners of such places. Investigations also reveal that on days when the clientele is less and income is low, women who work at more..

June 22 (SL) Chief Minister of Central Province Sarath Ekanayake has come under severe criticism for aiding and abating to bypassing government regulations when awarding contracts at the ongoing Digana International Athletics Stadium project. The foundation stone was laid on December 19, 2004 with an estimated cost of Rs.1,018 billion for a pavilion with 10,000 seating capacity, 400 metre long eight running track, 50 metre long eight track swimming pool, more..

June 22 (LBO) Sri Lanka Cricket has sought a new clothing partner, after India�s Rebook failed to renew the contract when the tender was awarded this month, a statement said. The governing body this month announced multi-million rupee contracts for clothing, soft drinks, energy drinks and food to a number of Sri Lankan and Indian companies for three-years. �Reebok failed to honour the financial obligations and more..

June 22 (Island) The government had paid Rs. 28.8 million as compensation for vehicles damaged due to the use of low quality petrol and more funds were needed for further payments, Parliament was told yesterday. Of the 3, 302 persons who had complained of damage to their vehicles caused by substandard petrol, 1,888 had been compensated, said a document tabled, in Parliament yesterday, by Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premjayantha. more..

June 22 (DM) The Colombo Magistrate court today ordered the rehabilitation of former LTTE women Political wing leader �Thamalini� after the CID told court that she had consented to undergo rehabilitation . The Attorney Generals department in a report to the CID stated that they have no objection in sending �Thamalini� for rehabilitation. When the CID made submissions in this regard to the Colombo Magistrates court yesterday, more..

June 22 (DM) United Nations Human Rights Chief Navi Pillai had not made any reference to Sri Lanka in her address to the current UNHRC session, but the country could not be complacent about it. External Affairs Ministry Secretary Karunaratne Amunugama said that Canada was the only country that made a slight reference to Sri Lanka this time. However, Mr. Amunugama said Sri Lanka would continue to monitor the statements made by each country. more..

June 22 (SM) Minister of Rural Affairs Athauda Seneviratne, who handed himself over to the Warakapola Magistrate�s Court this morning, was released on bail under strict conditions. The minister faced charges of damaging a national water project in Kohombadeniya, Warakapola, inflicting damages of over one million rupees. Warakapola magistrate, Avantha Lakmal Wickremasuriya ordered to release the minister on a surety of one million rupees and more..

June 22 (Island) Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama told Parliament yesterday that the investments made by utilising the funds belonging to the EPF and ETF were done in accordance with the existing laws. He was responding to Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. The senior minister said, "The EPF is confident that its sound investment decisions will be proved pragmatic, sensible and profitable over the longer time frame." more..

June 22 (Xinhua) The Sri Lankan navy on Friday insisted that security along the maritime boundary of the island nation remains tight and there is no possibility of any asylum boat heading to Australia directly from Sri Lanka undetected. Navy spokesman Kosala Warnakulasuriya said that despite the end of a 30-year war with the Tamil Tiger rebels three years ago and the relaxing of several restrictions on fishing in some areas, the navy still remains on guard. more..

June 22 (DM) The Commissioner General of Prisons P. W. Kodippily has called for a report from the Tangalle Prisons Superintendent following Wednesday�s remarks made by Tangalle High Court Judge Chandrasena Rajapaksa when he remanded the Geeganagamage Amarasiri alias Julampitiye Amare, the prime suspect in the Katuwana killings. �This is a matter of serious concern andI instructed Tangalle SP to send me a report within three days. I expect to take further action after I receive the report,� more..

June 22 (DM) The shocking disclosure by Tangalle High Court Judge Chandrasena Rajapaksa that the underworld gangster in the most wanted list had visited an inmate at the Tangalle Prison last week is an indictment, which reflects terribly on the entire law enforcement machinery of this country. He said it was a prison officer who had opened the prison gate for �Julampitiye Amare�. The High Court Judge said some 100 warrants had been issued for this man�s arrest but more..

June 22 (Reuters) Sri Lankan shares ended slightly weaker on Friday with banks trading down for a second consecutive day after Standard & Poor's ranked the nation's lenders a "very high risk". The Colombo Stock Exchange's main index closed 0.06 percent, or 2.92 points weaker at 5,039.15, after moving within a range of 5,018-5,068 points. It had gained 5.6 percent in the six sessions through Wednesday. The central bank has dismissed S&P's assessment, more..

June 22 (CI) Nine months ago, the ICC had said a "better balance between bat and ball (needs to be) achieved" after a Galle dustbowl made life difficult for batsmen. Today, on an unexpectedly sunny day in Galle, Sri Lanka reached stumps at a commanding 300 for 2. Ahead of the series, Mahela Jayawardene had talked of the need for Sri Lanka's experienced players to build a platform for the others. He couldn't have expected more: Tillakaratne Dilshan made more..

June 22 (CT) The suspect arrested in connection with the burglary at the house of Nishantha Wickramasinghe, chairman of Sri Lankan Airlines, and brother of the first lady by the Mount Lavinia police was released on bail. The suspect was produced before the Mt. Lavinia Magistrate yesterday and the Chief Magistrate Mrs. Nirosha Fernando ordered him released on Rs 1 million bail. The suspect, who is a drug addict, is a resident of the Araliya housing complex in Ratmalana, and more..

June 22 (DM) Kandy High Court Judge Manilal Waidyatilleke commending Court Sergeant A. Amarasinghe for the timely arrest of a Nepali national, who was indicted for possessing 80 grammes of heroin, ordered that the suspect be remanded. He was absconding Court though he was to reappear in Courts on June 20. Police Sergeant Amarsinghe having learnt that the suspect was about to leave the country, he swiftly arrested him at Bowalawatte and produced him in Courts June 21. more..

June 22 (GDI) The Export Development Board is making all out efforts to tap prospects in the lucrative European boat building industry, which was successful to bring in 149 Million U.S.Dollar revenue in 2011. The EDB has identified the Boat building industry as a key product sector which could contribute to raise the level of overall export performance in achieving the target of 15 billion U.S.Dollar export income by 2015. Considering the importance of promoting more..

June 22 (DM) A man who is alleged to have committed criminal breach of trust involving a motorbike and a digital camera belonging to former JVP leader Rohana Wijeweera�s brother-in-law was today remanded till July 6 by a Colombo Court. In a complaint to the Fort police, Dr. Subash Chandra Fernando said his driver Upali Gunasekara had failed to return his digital camera worth Rs.900,000 and a motorcycle worth Rs.300,000 that were loaned to the driver on June 5 on more..

June 22 (AD) There were no Sri Lankans among 110 who were rescued from the capsized ship off Christmas Island, Australia, Sri Lankan Ambassador in Indonesia Maj. Gen. Nanda Mallawarachchi told Ada Derana a short while ago. He also added that four of those rescued had died following the accident. Meanwhile a spokeswoman from Australia�s Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) told AFP, �the survivors have arrived at Christmas Island. more..

June 22 (GDI) Nexia International, a worldwide network of independent accounting and consulting firm, will hold Nexia Asia Pacific Regional Conference and the Young Leaders Conference 2012 from 4th to 8th July 2012 at the Mount Lavinia Hotel in Colombo. The theme of the conference will be "Strategies to prepare for the development in the Market". Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and a Past President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, more..

June 22 (LBO) Sri Lanka�s currency is expected to firm up later this year, while treasury yields could creep up on fiscal slippages, a report said, as the central bank looks for ways to tighten monetary policy. The Sri Lankan rupee has fallen by some 17 percent against the US dollar since the beginning of this year, as a credit bubble crashed in to the balance of payments sending a currency peg diving from 110 to 132 so far this year. �We remain optimistic on the rupee more..

June 22 (AD) President Mahinda Rajapaksa during talks with Indian Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on the sidelines of the Rio+20 Summit, had discussed the rehabilitation and devolution to Tamils in Sri Lanka. President Rajapaksa updated Dr. Singh on the current rehabilitation plans with the figure of refugees awaiting resettlement falling from 300,000 to 3,000, said Indian Foreign Secretary more..

June 22 (GDI) President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Brazil to attend the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20, met the President of Chile Sebastian Pinera and Bhutan�s Prime Minister Jigme Thinley at Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday. President Rajapaksa and President Pinera engaged in talks on the sidelines of the conference. One of the topics discussed was the highly successful canned fish industry in Chile. President Rajapaksa voiced interest in obtaining more..

June 22 (TB) With close to five thousand wild Asian elephants in Sri Lanka, �The Gathering� offers an incredible opportunity to witness the 6th greatest wildlife spectacular in the world, as recognised in 2011 by the internationally acclaimed travel guide, Lonely Planet. Taking place in the north central province of Sri Lanka during the dry season, the mega wildlife phenomenon �The Gathering� begins to unfold late July as scattered herds from various forests more..

June 22 (CT) Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, stated that due to the lack of rain currently being experienced in the dry zone, a drought situation has arisen especially in the Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Kurunegala districts, affecting the cultivation in these areas. Nearly 25,000 hectares of cultivated paddy fields are at the risk of being destroyed, due to the lack of water. As a result of the drought affecting the area, more..

June 22 (CI) Tharanga Paranavitana looked a walking wicket at the start of Sri Lanka's innings. He had a life against Umar Gul, when an inside edge on to the pads lobbed to the wicketkeeper but the catch was not given. He wasn't prepared to show much respect to Pakistan's best bowler, Saeed Ajmal, either. Paranavitana tried paddling Ajmal in his first over, but got a thick edge on to the pad that was dropped by Azhar Ali at silly point. Those two let-offs, however, more..

June 22 (AD) University non-academic staff, who are currently engaged in a strike action, are scheduled to reach an agreement with the UGC today. Co-President, University Trade Union Joint Committee (UTUJC) R.M. Chandrapala, stated that they will consider ending the strike only if the agreement is signed today, with the Labour Commissioner�s intervention. All university trade union leaders have reached a decision to proceed according to an agreement, adding that point more..

June 22 (HN) Geegange Amarasena alias Joolampitiye Amare the accused concerning the Katuwana dual homicide has been identified by three suspects during an identification parade which was held at the Walasmulla Courts. The identification parade was presided over by Acting Magistrate W.L. Herasinghe. The witnesses were summoned by the CID on a special notification issued to them regarding today's identification parade. more..

June 22 (WF) The National Development Bank (NDB) is part of a universal banking group with its presence in commercial banking, capital markets, investment banking, stockbroking, insurance and wealth management. Its comprehensive finance portfolio positions the bank as the lead player in the unfolding economic rejuvenation that is taking place in Sri Lanka. Strategically located in the Indian Ocean between Europe and Asia, Sri Lanka is gearing itself up to become more..

June 22 (Island) UPFA MP Prof Rajiva Wijesinha admitted that reintegration of ex-LTTE combatants into society had not been carried out properly, though rehabilitation was a success. He said: "The govt has indicted 359 ex-combatants and is in the process of conducting investigations regarding 309. Some suspects arrested under the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act have been referred to various rehabilitation centres." more..

June 22 (TA) As many as 150 Sri Lankan refugees are believed to have disappeared from camps across the Indian state of Tamil Nadu in the past fortnight, raising fears of another impending asylum-seeker tragedy in the monsoonal waters of the Indian Ocean. Police in the port city of Kollam in the state of Kerala confirmed yesterday they had received reports of dozens of refugees missing from camps across the more..

June 22 (LT) Pasting posters of the �People's Wall of Comradeship� printed in Tamil demanding the release of Tamil political prisoners and to stop land plunder in the North has been obstructed by the Army at Bambalapitiya say reports. The JVP member Chandran and two others who were putting up posters were threatened by several Army personnel at Bambalapitiya using bad language and then were handed over to Bambalapitiya Police with the three wheeler and the posters. more..

June 22 (DM) Against the backdrop of the killing of two JVP supporters in Katuwana, the political parties yesterday agreed to have a three-hour debate in Parliament next month on the rising crime wave in the country, informed sources said yesterday. The JVP stressed the need to have this debate as an adjournment motion at the parliamentary business committee meeting yesterday. Initially, the government representatives including more..

June 22 (CI) When Tillakaratne Dilshan reached his century in the second ODI in Pallekele, his celebration seemed like a release of pent-up frustration that had accumulated for months. He had battled for close to 50 overs, some of them with cramps, to carve out a match-winning century after five ordinary scores. His celebration after his century in Galle today was relatively subdued. After sweeping Abdur Rehman to the boundary, more..

June 23 (CT) The Friday Forum comprises a group of concerned citizens who have come together to consider current issues of public interest with a view to making meaningful contributions towards peace, democracy, good governance and social justice in Sri Lanka. To pursue this objective, the Forum engages in regular discussions on matters of national interest, articulating its views and concerns. The following interventions are made in more..