May 23 (FT) Majorities in over half of the 21 Asian countries and regions Gallup surveyed in 2011 approved of their chief executives, with Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa among earning some of the highest marks. As per the survey released recently Laotians, Cambodians, and Sri Lankans were the most likely to express support for their leaders, with over nine in 10 saying they approve of their job performance. more..

May 23 (DM) The much awaited release of former Army commander Sarath Fonseka � whatever the reason for it and whatever the change in strategic political alliances � is widely seen as a major step towards the restoration of democratic values and freedoms. Political vendettas apart, the former Army Commander who is widely recognised as having played a key role in the military defeat of brutal terrorism was convicted and sentenced by two military courts and more..

May 23 (LBO) Sri Lanka�s tiny bourse extended its losses on Wednesday falling just over two-percent despite investor interest in selected blue chip counters, brokers said. The 280-stock tracker All Share Price Index fell 2.08 percent or 107.50 points to close at 5,048.11, while the 25-stock Milanka Price Index dipped 1.88 percent or 88.00 points to end at 4,568.51. Turnover was 817.95 million rupees, with foreign buying at 529.76 million rupees over sales of 398.49 million rupees, more..

May 23 (CT) �The UNP is playing a dangerous game supporting General Fonseka, because the Sri Lankan Presidency is very powerful, and it is unclear what economic policies Fonseka would support as President. The opposition focus on corruption indicates that it believes that neo-liberal reforms, such as privatization, are too toxic to publicly advocate. Sri Lanka's economy could indeed benefit from both a good crusade against corruption and liberal reforms.� more..

May 23 (AD) A committee will be formed under Dr. Maiya Gunasekera to investigate those who gave false information to the Asian Athletics Association (AAA) which almost led to the cancellation of the Asian Junior Athletic Championship in Colombo, Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage stated. Asian Athletics Association on May 21 had cancelled the championship due to a petition filed by former Sri Lanka Athletic Association (SLAA) officials, however Minister more..

May 23 (DM) A weapons manufacturing hideout in the Dediyagala area in Akuressa was raided by the Matara Division Anti-vice Squad where they found hundreds of half-built guns similar to T56 assault rifles. The factory was operated on the guise of a wood workshop. Police arrested one person during the raid. Most of the guns they had manufactured were double barrelled guns. It was also revealed that they had sold a gun between Rs.50,000 and Rs.100,000. Police also noted that more..

May 23 (GDI) Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa said that Sri Lanka has achieved self sufficiency in eggs, chicken and maize. The Minister speaking at the function held yesterday in Peliyagoda in connection with exporting of the first consignment of maize said that self employment in the poultry industry encouraged by the Divi Neguma programme helped the country to become self sufficient in eggs and chicken. more..

May 23 (JG) Dozens of Tamil asylum seekers who fled Sri Lanka staged a rally on Monday outside the office of the International Organization for Migration in Medan, North Sumatra, to demand that they be relocated to Australia. The demonstrators, who have lived in Medan for almost two years, shouted slogans and brandished banners asking the IOM, the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and the Indonesian govt to work on getting them asylum status in Australia. more..

May 23 (SM) Without stopping at lying to the people, the present regime even lies to the world, charged UNP national organizer and eastern provincial council opposition leader Daya Gamage, adding that its latest lie is the freedom given to former Army chief Sarath Fonseka. Nobody knows the manner in which he has been pardoned, noted Mr. Gamage. He said that the ex-Army chief should be restored with his military rank, privileges and full political rights. more..

May 23 (Xinhua) The govt has decided to establish new courts to hear the cases of over 200 long term detainees. Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva told parliament that the new courts will be established in the capital as well as in the north central town of Anuradhapura and the northern town of Vavuniya. The move comes as over 200 minority Tamil prisoners in Sri Lanka, most of them former Tamil Tiger rebels, more..

May 23 (SM) While we acknowledge the release of General Sarath Fonseka from prison as recommended by the Minister of Justice to the President and approved accordingly, we do register our strongest protest for restricting his civic rights in engaging in political activities, as he chooses and wish to, says the Movement against Lawlessness. In a statement, spokesman for the Movement, Mangala Samaraweera says, As we have come to understand, General Fonseka has more..

May 23 (CT) Principals are clueless regarding a circular issued by the Education Ministry preventing students from entering different schools for their A/Ls, the Ceylon Teachers� Union (CTU) claims. As a result, the principals are still not willing to admit new A/L candidates to their schools, CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin said. The Education Ministry had issued a circular a few weeks ago, stating that students of national schools cannot apply to a different national school for more..

May 23 (GDI) President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his delegation visited �Qatar Diar� company on an inspection tour. Qatar Diari is an investment vehicle wholly owned by the Qatar Investment Authority. The company is involved in the areas of Real estate development, feasibility studies, infrastructure management and implementation, enterprise investment, business venture planning, facilities management, land and property leasing, land parcellisation and sales, more..

May 23 (EAR) Sri Lanka Tamils worldwide have a strong affinity towards India, most of them follow with interest actions taken by or policy of the Government of India to advance an equitable solution to the long standing Sinhala-Tamil conflict; as well as take notice of views of political parties of different persuasions, writings and media presentations of opinion makers in India with a glimpse of hope that India�s intervention will bring about a just outcome. more..

May 23 (DM) All unprotected level crossings on the completely overhauled coastal railway line will be equipped with electrically manoeuvred gates in the next two years enabling trains to run at 100 kmph and eliminating the possibility of fatal accidents at unprotected level crossings, Transport Minister Kumara Welgama said. Minister Welgama boarded the �Sagarika� express train from Maradana to Galle on its afternoon return journey taking more..

May 23 (NF) Attorney General Eva Wanasundara says that Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka has been granted a conditional release. Speaking to Newsfirst, the Attorney General noted that Sarath Fonseka cannot contest an election for seven years. However the AG added that Fonseka has the right to vote at elections. Attorney General Wanasundara went on to say that Sarath Fonseka has only received a remission of his prison sentence. more..

May 23 (NF) The session of the Western Provincial Council yesterday was heated due to several debates. The Western Provincial Council convened as usual yesterday with the participation of party representatives. UNP Councillor Harshana Rajakaruna who began to express his view about the release of Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka was on several occasions disrupted by the govt representatives. He continued to express his views amidst the disruption. more..

May 23 (PTI) A dispute over broadcast rights of London Olympics has flared up with state television and a private tv/radio channel embroiled in it. The commercial high court on Wednesday issued a restraining order on the private station precluding them from carrying pre publicity of broadcast until June 6. State television, Rupavahini moved the action in court. A separate order valid until May 31 was obtained last week against the more..

May 24 (Island) On 27th April last year, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka paved the way for a formidable and sustainable national economy and an enhanced human rights image � two imperative needs to take Sri Lanka to the next higher level. Accessibility is an inherent right of everyone that can empower ALL people. It cannot be negotiated, bartered or diluted by anyone under any circumstances. It forms the foundation of freedom, justice, dignity and peace. more..

May 24 (LB) Hareez M. Yasin, a trustee of the Hairiya Jumma Mosque in Dambulla says three generations of his family prayed at the mosque that is under dispute. �If they want to demolish the mosque, they should tell us what wrong the mosque or the Muslims have done to them. We have done no wrong to them. Nor have they done us any wrong,� he said in a telephone interview with Ranga Jayasuriya. Excerpts. Q: What is the current situation over the mosque? more..

May 24 (Island) Retired Foreign Secretary H.M.G.S. Palihakkara chaired the H.L. de Silva memorial event in Colombo on May 4. Excerpted are some of his remarks. It is always an honour to remember a good citizen. It is particularly gratifying to pay homage to a fellow countryman and a patriot of exceptional ability, knowledge and intellect, like H.L. de Silva. There are many reasons for that feeling. more..

May 24 (Island) As the scales hang in the balance, between certain self- defeat and absolute domination, one man, if no other, champions the sanctity of our gold mines. Sri Lanka is about to lose its gold; tea. And it is about to happen with the consent of the very people who stand to lose everything. The single proposition that is about to adulterate the purity of Ceylon tea is the new �idea� that Sri Lanka should become a �tea blending hub�. Not a bad idea, if it blended only more..

May 24 (CT) Minister GL Pieris has recently stated the Sri Lankan Govt�s (SLG) stance on responding to international demands to solve the domestic political crisis. In the US, to be heard also by the Diaspora, he emphasized on a �domestic process,� �not donor-driven or foreign-owned,� possessing a �home-grown element,� as solution to the crisis. He further noted that SLG has �recently initiated a process� to implement LLRC recommendations meaningfully, after extensive consultation within the govt. more..

May 24 (DM) Former Commander of the Army Gen. Sarath Fonseka who was imprisoned for more than two years has been released. It is through powers vested with the President to pardon convicted offenders as stipulated in clause 34 in the Constitution. It is how this freedom could be legally defined. However, Gen. Fonseka�s freedom is a result of a relentless struggle carried out by the masses against the arbitrary act of imprisoning him for coming forward more..

May 24 (NS) The date was May 19, 2009. On this day, addressing Parliament and the nation, President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced that every inch of this Island was now free of terrorism and that all Tamil civilians used by the terrorists as human shields had been rescued unharmed. The entire country erupted in euphoria. Lion flags were fluttering everywhere. A professor of medicine I knew later told me that on the day, he was so euphoric that he drove all around Colombo more..

May 24 (CT) At the Frontline Club discussion on Sri Lanka, I finally came across Frances Harrison. The name had been familiar, for in recent years, whenever I went to England, she used to tweet madly about me, in what seemed to me desperate hysteria, though I soon enough found out that many journalists tweet in that mad fashion. This time round, her fascination with me continued, in that she saw the discussion as �Ch 4 vs prof rajiva debate� as she tweeted more..

May 24 (SL) In the collective memory of the Sinhala South, the past was a happy country, a place where all Lankans lived in amity and harmony. Vellupillai Pirapaharan spoilt it all by igniting a war out of nothing. Three years after the victorious ending of the Eelam War, Sri Lanka is busy returning to that mythical past. The lessons a people learn from history depends on the history they remember and believe in. For many Sinhalese, 1956 was not when more..

May 24 (Island) Those who are campaigning for a war crimes probe against Sri Lanka may have expected former Army Commander Gen. Sarath Fonseka to come out, after his release from prison, with something that they could use to bolster their claims that the army starved and massacred civilians during the Vanni war. But, he has disappointed them. Claiming that it was not politicians but he who conducted the war, he has, in an interview with BBC, vehemently denied that the troops under more..

May 24 (Island) When asked where the controversial National Savings Bank and The Finance Company deal fit in according to the recent study, KPMG Sri Lanka Managing Partner Reyaz Mihular said that it was a governance issue, however he said that further information would be available only after the Securities and Exchange Commission�s investigation. KPMG India Head of Risk Consultancy Deepankar Sanwalka in a presentation yesterday highlighted several frauds in India and more..

May 24 (CT) The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has decided to acquire lands that have fallen into arrears in the payment of property rates to the Council. Defaulters have been given time till 15 June, 2012, barely one month, to settle their dues in full, failing which the properties will be acquired by the Council. A City Council is run by utilizing property rates and other levies paid by its rate payers. If rate payers fall behind, more..

May 24 (CT) The Nugegoda District judge today refused to issue a restraining order against the UNP disciplinary committee headed by Srinath Perera, which plans to take action against UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya. The injunction made the decision after former Deputy Leader of the UNP, Karu Jayasuriya sought an injunction to prevent the UNP disciplinary committee from holding an inquiry against him for the comments he made on the committee�s report on the attack on more..

May 24 (FT) The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has suspended the Investment Advisor role of Taprobane Securities CEO Dinal Wijemanne, who was also part of the consortium of sellers of TFC shares to NSB. Daily FT learns the SEC decision to suspend, made at Monday�s Commissioners meeting, was until full-scale investigations are completed. In a related development, Dinal is on leave, allowing the broking firm to do its own internal investigations. more..

May 24 (DN) The 1972 Peradeniya University Arts Faculty Alumni Association has organized a Guru Upahara ceremony on Saturday at the University Arts Theater, to honour their teachers of yesteryear. More than 30 former university lecturers would be felicitated at the event organized to mark the association's 40th anniversary. The chairman of the association G.G.P. Abeysekera said that the university education system in the 1970s was exemplary and there were no divisions among more..

May 24 (DN) Sri Lanka's free health service wiped out many communicable diseases. The country is facing the challenge of wiping out non-communicable diseases, said Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena addressing the 65th World Health Summit in Geneva recently. "It is necessary to have a universal health coverage to meet future goals in the health sector. It is a challenge for most countries to wipe out communicable and non-communicable diseases," the minister said. He also said the country wiped out communicable diseases. The last polio patient was reported in 1993. more..

May 24 (GN) A key member of Sri Lanka's parliament who negotiated with President Mahinda Rajapakse for the release of Sarath Fonseka from prison, has said that the former army general was politically victimised and would carry on the fight to clear his name and gain favour with the electorate. Speaking to Gulf News in a telephone interview from Colombo, Tiran Alles, said: "Fonseka is in a defiant mood and motivated to prove his innocence. more..

May 24 (FT) The Govt plans to take legal measures against State institutions that do not provide services in both Sinhala and Tamil languages. The Government plans to amend the National Language Act to streamline the national language policy, Chairman of the National Language Commission Nimal R. Ranasinghe has said. The National Language Commission is tasked with making necessary recommendations to implement national language policy in public institutions. more..

May 24 (Island) The public could now complain against any police officer or the Police Force to the third National Police Commission (NPC) and gain redress for their grievances under the powers vested in the NPC by the 18 Amendment to the Constitution, Chairman of the NPC, Senaka Walgampaya, PC told a news conference at his office at Rotunda Towers, Colombo yesterday. Secretary of the NPC T. M. K. B. Tennekoon also promised a positive outcome from the third NPC appointed by more..

May 24 (Island) The JVP yesterday accused the government of paving the way for the collapse of the National Savings Bank by appointing unsuitable and unqualified persons to its board of directors. MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake, participating in the adjournment debate on controversial NSB-TFC deal, asked how an astrologer could become a director of a national bank and what qualification he had to be appointed to the post. more..