Feb 1 (FT) Human rights violations have been part of this country�s history particularly in recent times, says Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara. He pointed out that the West targets countries like ours citing concern about human rights violations while turning a blind eye to what is going in Saudi Arabia and any other countries they consider as friends. He pointed out that Western countries are looking towards a change of more..

Feb 1 (Island) Ornamental fish industry was a goldmine since more than 90% of the revenue it earned remained in the country unlike any other industry, the Ornamental Fish Exporters� Association (OFEA), Co-Chairman Rohan Fernando said. Addressing the media on Tuesday Fernando alleged that environmentalists, through their baseless allegations, were providing information to international competitors and enabling them more..

Feb 1 (GDI) Mahasamayama the grand opera produced and directed by Prof. Ariyarathne Athugala made its debut at Nelum Pokuna Theatre to mark its first anniversary, on 30th Jan 2013 with the distinguished patronage of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Frist Lady. Ministers Keheliya Rambukwella, TB Ekanayake and Prof. Athugala welcomed the President and First Lady. Making the opening address of the debut more..

Feb 1 (CT) Around 10 suspects, who allegedly have killed about 100 dolphins, were taken into custody with the support of Kalpitiya Police and the Navy, Chairman of the NARA, Dr. Samarasundera, told Ceylon Today. He said, the issue is quite serious and immediate measures need to be taken to arrest the situation. "I was in Kalpitiya Wednesday and we got the police and the navy to arrest the culprits. We are searching for the more..

Feb 1 (LBO) Protests over a sudden export tax slapped on tea intensified with a second industry association joining exporters saying the industry was being progressively decimated by authorities. The Ceylon Tea Traders Association, an apex industry association, said a tax on tea has been virtually doubled "like a bolt from the blue" adding to earlier protests by the Tea Exporter's Association of Sri Lanka. more..

Feb 1 (GDI) It has been targeted to get more than 2 Billion U.S.Dollar foreign investments to Sri Lanka this year and to remove all obstacles that could hinder foreign investments. This was stated by the Minister of Investment Promotion Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene addressing the media after assuming duties at his new Ministry Thursday. He said that more attention will be focused this year to get investments more..

Feb 1 (ANI) The Sri Lankan govt continued its assault on civil society and failed to take meaningful steps towards accountability for war crimes during the country's armed conflict that ended in 2009, Human Rights Watch said in its World Report 2013 released today. In its 665-page report, Human Rights Watch assessed progress on human rights during the past year in more than 90 countries, including an analysis of the more..

Feb 1 (Age) The Gillard govt has flatly denied a news report that a senior Sri Lankan govt official was suspected by Australian authorities to have been complicit in the people-smuggling trade. The Australian reported Friday that intelligence agencies had identified a high-profile Sri Lankan official close to President Mahinda Rajapaksa who had authorised asylum-seeker boats leaving Sri Lanka bound for Australia. more..

Feb 1 (CT) In a paranoid replay of a hackneyed record, the govt it appears is continuing with its self-delusional international conspiracy theories to keep the political fires at home burning. With another March nearing and all the bogeys of a UNHRC session, augmented by a new US resolution, being roused, the so-called propaganda pundits of the regime are at it again. Minister Wimal Weerawansa, said the true intention of the visit of the high-powered US Govt delegation more..

Feb 1 (CT) As a troubled nation continues on its weary way burdened with the weight of violence and anxiety � the film Sri Siddhartha Gautama makes a welcome appearance to transport us to another reality. This short reflection is not about the monumental feat of Navin Gooneratne as the producer � but about Herman Hesse�s Siddhartha � an older piece of work which remains grossly un-appreciated in this country. Can great cinema change attitudes by itself? more..

Feb 1 (CT) �In separate meetings with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse and Peace Secretariat head Jayantha Dhanapala on Sept 15, the Ambassador discussed prospects for resumed negotiations between the Govt of Sri Lanka and the LTTE. While Rajapakse expressed guarded optimism, Dhanapala offered a bleaker assessment, noting that in the lack of movement tensions between the Tigers and Govt security forces more..

Feb 1 (Island) The Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists (SLCP) has welcomed the Health Ministry�s decision to order that cigarette packets sold in Sri Lanka should carry graphic warning labels on them. In a statement issued in this regard, the SLCP says the stark images in the picture warnings on tobacco products are a call to action for smokers to quit, and the evidence is that such measures work. Countries which have already implemented such pictorial warnings include Canada, Australia, Britain more..

Feb 1 (Island) Tamil political and civil society representatives and Diaspora groups would continue to push for an end to the oppressive Government of Sri Lanka rule, the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) said in a statement issued yesterday. Full text of a statement issued by GTF spokesperson Suren Surendiran on behalf of all organizations, which participated at a two-day conference in Berlin: "Tamil political and civil society representatives, and Diaspora groups had convened in Berlin on more..

Feb 1 (Xinhua) Visiting Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for South Asia Alistair Burt has called on the Sri Lankan govt to improve economic transparency to attract investment, a statement from the British embassy said here on Friday. Burt, who is on a two-day visit to the island to assess its post-war development, had told a reception hosted by British Ambassador John Rankin and attended by the local more..

Feb 1 (KP) One of the most inspiring ways to escape Ukraine�s cold, gray winters is to take a trip to Sri Lanka, the small teardrop-shaped island in the Indian Ocean. It�s got lush green coconut palms, pristine sand beaches and much more. The best time to visit Ceylon, as the island was known under colonial Portuguese, Dutch and British rule, is during the dry season from November through April. That�s when the chances of tropical storms are lowest. It�s best to avoid the end-December to more..

Feb 1 (AT) Two Sri Lankan elephants in Higashiyama zoo in Nagoya, Japan delivered a female baby elephant on 29th Jan, being the first Asian elephant to be born at the Higashiyama zoo and the 6th Asian elephant to be born in Japan. Anula (11 years) and Kosala (8 years) were brought to the Higashiyama zoo in 2007 from the Pinnawela Orphanage. The Higashiyama Zoo & Botanical Gardens are convinced that the birth and growth of the new baby elephant at the beginning of more..

Feb 1 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah Friday urged the Indian govt to impose economic sanctions on Sri Lanka and take steps to ensure that those displayed by the ethnic conflict there returned to their original homes. Delivering his address on the first day of the first assembly session of 2013, Rosaiah said: "I reiterate the resolve expressed by the Tamil Nadu assembly June 8, 2011 to urge the Indian govt to more..

Feb 1 (Island) Colombo High Court Judge Vimal Nambuwasam yesterday sentenced Sakvithi Ranasinghe to two years rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs. 25,000 on his pleading guilty to a charge of bigamy. The bigamy charge was filed by the Attorney General. A. M. Chandana Weerakumara alias Sakwithi, had married his first wife Subashini de Silva on March 9, 1998. While that marriage was in force, he had married for the second time, Anuruddhika Kumari, and more..

Feb 1 (CG) The Govt of Japan has extended Rs. 90 million to the �Project on Livelihood Assistance for Returnees in the North and East of Sri Lanka� to be implemented by JEN, a Japanese NGO, in order to improve the livelihood of the resettled communities in the North and East under the Japan-NGO cooperation Grant scheme funded by the Govt of Japan. The project titled �Project on Livelihood Assistance for Returnees in the North and East of Sri Lanka� will support to rehabilitate more..

Feb 1 (BBC) England suffered a shock defeat by Sri Lanka in their opening group match at the Women's World Cup after a thrilling contest went down to the final ball. The defending champions had been well below their best throughout, but still looked likely to defend their total of 238-8 as the Sri Lanka middle order buckled. But, a brilliant 41-ball 56 from Eshani Kaushalya left the minnows needing only 9 to win from the final more..

Feb 1 (Island) The 30th Anniversary of the disappearance of Mr. Upali Wijewardene, the founder Chairman of Upali Group of Companies and others falls on Feb 13. The Upali Group, its employees and sales agents countrywide have made arrangements to commemorate the anniversary with religious ceremonies such as Bodhi Poojas, alms givings, Pahan Poojas and blood donation campaigns. A special Bodhi Pooja will be held at the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya more..

Feb 1 (Reuters) Shares extended losses for a third day on Friday to hit a two-week low as retail investors took profits in large-caps. The main share index fell 0.3%, or 17.20 points, to end at 5,799.69, its lowest since Jan 15. Foreign investors were net buyers of 446.1 million rupees worth of shares on Friday, but they have been net sellers of 873.5 million rupees so far this year. The market saw 1.66 billion rupees net foreign outflow in eight sessions through Wednesday. more..

Feb 1 (LBO) Sri Lanka will rent space to telecom companies in conduits pre-laid under roads being rebuilt in the capital Colombo under a modernization program, helping prevent damage to the surface, an official said. Rohan Seneviratne, additional secretary of defence and urban development ministry said road that are rebuilt in Colombo will have pipes for water and underground power cables pre-laid by the utilities involved. Conduits will also be laid for future telecoms including space for future more..

Feb 1 (Island) The Supreme Court yesterday fixed August 5, 6 and 8, 2013 for hearing the appeal filed by the four police officers who were convicted of the abduction and the subsequent murder of two youth at Angulana in August 2009. The police officer were convicted and sentenced to death by the High Court Trial-at-Bar. Yesterday, when the appeal was called before the Supreme Court, the Counsel for the appellants was granted six weeks to file written submissions. President�s Counsel Anil Silva more..

Feb 1 (Island) The govt has embarked on an ambitious plan of setting up 15 sugarcane factories with private sector participation within the next two years where the total investment will top the US $ 1 billion mark. "We will get the private sector to make the requisite investment given that the break even point of the investments of the US$ 1050 million (US$ 70 per factory for the 15 factories) will be as short as three years, more..

Feb 1 (OU) We pleaded, but in front of our eyes, our houses were demolished by the forces. We pleaded the forces not to break our homes but they demolished out houses, stating orders from hierarchies was the complaint made by the Waligamam north people to TNA MP E.Saravanabawan. From Thondamanaru to Kankesanthurai, the abodes which were inside the permanent security fence were demolished was the complaints made to MP and Waligama more..

Feb 1 (NP) The High Commission of Pakistan in Sri Lanka organized an interactive meeting with the members of the Sri Lanka Pakistan Business Council on 31st January in Colombo. Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, Amna Baloch, Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan, Mr. Rohitha Thilakaratne President Sri Lanka-Pakistan Business Council, Executive Committee and members of Sri Lanka-Pakistan Business Council, and a large number of prominent more..

Feb 1 (DM) The Sri Lanka Law College has reduced the cut off mark of the law entrance examination thereby increasing the law college intake from 309 to 551. The Incorporated Council of Legal Education of the Sri Lanka Law College met yesterday and a unanimous decision was taken to reduce the cut off mark in order to increase the intake of students. Several students who sat for the law entrance exam protested more..

Feb 1 (DM) The Colombo District Court allowed Upeksha Swarnamali (Paba) the Gampaha District MP to be divorced from her husband. Upeksha Swarnamali had sought court permission to obtain a divorce from her husband Mahesh Chaminda by a complaint lodged at the Colombo District Court and on mutual agreement her request was allowed by courts. The court ordered Mahesh Chaminda the respondent to return to the complainant her official Parliament vehicle within three days. more..

Feb 1 (DM) Colombo Commercial High Court today issued summons on vocalist Iraj Weeraratne for allegedly violating the copyrights of the song �Mata Aloke Genadevi� owned by award- winning film producer, director and accomplished lyricist the late Herbert M. Seneviratne. High Court Judge Gamini Amerasekara issued notice for interim injunction to stop the song being reproduced without any lawful rights. Filing legal action, the late songwriter�s wife Swarna Lakni Seneviratne and son more..

Feb 1 (DM) The UNP urged the govt to investigate the import of a �Rolls Royce Ghost� luxury vehicle. UNP MP Harsha De Silva said that the entire transaction needed to be investigated because of the discrepancy between the price listed by the Rolls Royce Company and the price stated in the Customs declaration. �The Customs has released the car after a payment of Rs.61 million by way of taxes on the declaration made by more..

Feb 2 (NS) Countless numbers of vehicles on the streets, yet people prefer public transport over them, especially buses and an empty bus is a rare sight in Kandy. People will run in to, get in, or rush and jump off running buses, squeeze into heavily crowded buses and some even run behind buses just to get a foot on the �foot board� (an adventure for some youngsters !) Bus travelers at times are the greatest stuntmen and women. It appears no one loathes traveling in buses, instead, more..

Feb 2 (NS) The circumstances and factors that motivated the conspirators and politics of Ceylon, post independence up to late 50s - the transition era were discussed in the previous articles. Family and socio-cultural background of the coup leaders was taken up next. The plan to arrest the Prime Minister, other political heavy weights and military / police chiefs was discussed in detail in the last two chapters. In this part �Operation Holdfast� is explained. The learned Bench at Trial-at-Bar more..

Feb 2 (NS) An archeological heritage of 3,000 years made by artisans who left their mark in the form of a vast array of priceless monuments, lovingly crafted, is now under threat. Over the years, thousands of artifacts from statues, jewels and personal adornments once worn by the royal ladies of yesteryear, battle scarred swords used by ancient kings, pottery crafted with exquisite designs and many other valuable items have been more..

Feb 2 (CT) I have noted previously that I think the 18th amendment is a vast improvement on the 17th. Interestingly, when I first began explaining my views on the 17th amendment, there was little comprehension amongst Sri Lankans about my fundamental objection, that it was inappropriate for an elected Head of Govt who was also head of State to simply rubber stamp appointments recommended by another body, let alone a nominated one. This was understood immediately however by more..

Feb 2 (ST) The Sri Lankan tour of Australia had its own set of �blow hot and blow colds�. At one point it was the Lankans who were running for cover, after being hit by a demonic posse of Aussie seam operators with their Boxing Day goods. The next moment the home lads are hiding their heads in the sand � even running scared of their own shadows, leave alone those of the visitors. What I mentioned above took place between players who are applying their inherent skills in the game of cricket. more..

Feb 2 (ST) Pigeon Island is one of the two marine national parks of Sri Lanka with some of the best remaining coral reefs of the country, is under threat with moves to strip its National Park status citing it as a hindrance for development, environmentalists claimed. A proposal to de-list Pigeon Island has already been sent before the required amendments are drafted, they said. Wildlife Ministry Secretary Udeni Wickremasinghe more..

Feb 2 (CT) Earlier this month, president Mahinda Rajapaksa replaced Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake with a political ally following a parliamentary impeachment process that was deemed unconstitutional. While the govt claimed that Bandaranayake had abused her position for personal gain, her ouster was widely regarded as a Rajapaksa vendetta and yet another blow to judicial independence in the country. In the wake of this showdown between the branches of govt, more..

Feb 2 (GV) Ini Avan, Asoka Handagama�s latest film, in Tamil, has won international cinematic acclaim. And it is easy to see why. The film has interesting characters who within their confined destinies take some unpredictable turns and moves at a compelling and deliberate pace through carefully designed frames with strong aesthetic appeal that are also revisited, like recurring motifs, to telling effect. The camera-craft is sophisticated and the casting and acting impressive. more..