Dec 14 (ST) Cracks are appearing in the Finance Ministry over possible pressure on officials to resort to extravagant pre-polls spending. Pressure is being exerted by officials on the Treasury Secretary to direct heads of Finance Ministry divisions to adhere to administration and financial regulations in monitoring the spending and handling of state resources by institutions coming under the ministry in the run up to more..

Dec 14 (Island) The present status of the black box of the SLAF Antonov-32, which crashed at Hokandara last Friday, is not known as it is now a matter within the purview of the Court of Inquiry, Wing Commander, Gihan Seneviratne said. "I am not privy to such information", he explained, when asked when the black box of the Russian-built aircraft had been recovered. The Court of Inquiry appointed to probe the crash will submit a final report to the SLAF Commander, he said. more..

Dec 13 (CT) Former Western Provincial Councillor, Udaya Gammanpila, who pledged his support to President Rajapaksa several days ago, refused to accept his previous portfolio when it was offered to him. Gammanpila, who left the govt two weeks ago, to pledge support to the Common candidate Maithripala Sirisena, decided to resign from the JHU several days ago and support the President at the January 2015 Presidential Election. Gammanpila said the decision to leave his party and more..

Dec 13 (CT) Govt and State Corporation local bank borrowings increased by Rs 149.7 billion or 9% to Rs 1.8 trillion as at end October on a year on year basis, latest Central Bank data showed. Market sources said that among the reasons for such increases were new employment opportunities provided in these two sectors, which have upped their costs, coupled with having to take bank loans to make loss making institutions, such as more..

Dec 13 (SL) UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has put former LTTE chief arms procurer Kumaran Pathmanathan (KP) on notice saying a UNP govt will take legal action against him. Responding to a question posed by this journalist on twitter, Wickremesinghe said that normal legal channels will be used to deal with KP if the UNP come to power. KP is wanted in India over the murder of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and the UNP has been consistently questioning the freedom more..

Dec 13 (Island) Although presidential challenger Maithripala Sirisena filed his assets declaration with the Elections Commissioner last week and said it was open for public scrutiny, efforts by the Sunday Island to obtain a copy proved futile. In a public statement the candidate said, "copies of my asset declaration are available at my campaign office which is open to all members of the public, if they wish to peruse it," shortly after handing over his nomination papers. more..

Dec 14 (ST) UPFA has accused opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena of hijacking its Facebook account � but an opposition spokesman has defended Mr. Sirisena�s right to use the account. UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha has complained that the Facebook account is now being used by Mr. Sirisena for his election campaign and demanded that it be restored to the UPFA. more..

Dec 14 (CT) Various groups of professionals and intellects are now preparing the ground for a debate between the two main contenders, in the upcoming Presidential Election, Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena. The proposed debate will cover subjects such as democracy, good governance, and the independence of the judiciary. These groups say that it could either be a one-day debate or a series. They are planning to inform the two contenders about the proposal next week. more..

Dec 13 (Island) The Lawyers Collective, committed to a free and fair election, and the Rule of Law, is shocked to learn the level of polls violations committed by the UPFA. The use of State resources, the police and defence establishment, bribery, and �treating� of electors (including Public Servants), has been unprecedented. Recalling retired IGP Mahinda Balasuriya, who was serving as a politically appointed ambassador from UAE, and placing him as Secretary of Ministry of Law more..

Dec 13 (ST) The �star of the week�, the UNP�s former General Secretary Tissa Attanayake was on board the SriLankan Airlines airbus A 330 with President Rajapaksa, wife Shiranthi and son Yoshita when it rolled out from the runway of the BIA last Tuesday afternoon. For Attanayake, who had been an Opposition politician until much less than 24 hours earlier, it was a signal honour. There are more than a 100 ministers more..

Dec 14 (CT) A recent news report quoting a doctor attached to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, said schoolchildren are susceptible to lead poisoning due to the use of lead laced paint in the country. While, in the developed world, using lead in the manufacture of paint is banned or allowed to be sold on the condition of not having more than the maximum permissible limits stipulated, similar laws are also on board in Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, such laws, more often than not, are observed in more..

Dec 14 (Island) The "etc" refers to a few small Left groups such as the Frontline Socialists and the USP�s Siritunga Jayasooriya who, like the larger JVP, are disoriented by the Common Candidate (CC) phenomenon, the un-socialist MoU, and the UNP-Chandrika-My3-Fonseka-JHU chop-suey (formal name: National Democratic Front, NDF). Some readers may find the leftist lingo in the first part of this piece a little awkward, but it is imperative to address the JVP, FSP and like minded more..

Dec 14 (ST) Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya, on the one hand, acknowledged the role of the state and private media equally when he spoke to the nation last Monday. On the other, more importantly, he made clear that both should act in a fair and just manner in their coverage in the run-up to the presidential election. The remarks came in a speech he made when receiving nominations at his office last Monday for more..

Dec 14 (CT) As crossovers continue to and fro, the Presidential Election fever began to rise from last Monday as the two main contenders, President Rajapaksa and Common Candidate Maithripala Sirisena handed in their nominations to the Elections Commissioner, Mahinda Deshapriya, at the Election Secretariat as hundreds of their supporters gathered outside that premises. Mahinda and Maithri, after they parted following more..

Dec 14 (NS) In the wake of protests by environmentalists and subsequent media attention, organizers have relocated a �rave festival� that was due to be held within the Rekawa Marine Turtle Sanctuary. Accordingly, the �Atman Festival� has now been relocated to a private land close to Ella, �100 kilometers from any beach areas, and away from any wildlife protection areas at risk,� according to Facebook post from organizers. more..

Dec 14 (NS) UPFA MP and party organizer for Kolonnawa Duminda Silva scoffed at claims made by supporters of Maithripala Sirisena to the effect that �terror stalks the electorate�. He was responding to allegations made by recent defector to the Opposition camp and former Chairman, Kotkawatte-Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha Prasanna Solangaarachchi. Solangaarachchi told reporters in Colombo a few days ago that more..

Dec 14 (SL) A request to consider election monitors from the European Union (EU) has been rejected by four Presidential candidates. Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said that he can only invite election monitors from the unions or forums only if the Department of Election or the country holds memberships of those unions. He said that if he is to invite any other monitors from organisations which Sri Lanka does not hold more..

Dec 14 (SL) The govt insists that a conspiracy backed by the pro-LTTE diaspora is very much at play ahead of the Presidential election next month and a few notable incidents in recent times prove the conspiracy theory is not fake but very much real. External Affairs Minister, G.L. Peiris, speaking to The Sunday Leader, said that some foreign diplomats based in Sri Lanka cross the line through their actions. more..

Dec 14 (ST) Britain�s ban on the LTTE as a foreign terrorist organisation will remain and is not affected by the decision of the European Union�s General Court annulling some of the sanctions imposed on the LTTE by the European Union. A Foreign and Commonwealth Office source said, �Britain�s domestic proscription of the LTTE is unaffected by this judgment.� He said Britain had denounced the LTTE as a brutal terrorist more..

Dec 14 (Hindu) SL Tamil politician and MP Seenithambi Yogeswaran has said the TNA, an amalgamation of Tamil parties, will announce by this month-end its stand on the presidential elections. Mr. Yogeswaran, who was here to attend a conference organised by the Hindu Makkal Katchi, said the TNA wanted to keep the cards close to its chest because it did not want its decision to influence the outcome of the elections. more..

Dec 14 (ST) A Sri Lanka delegation that had talks with the European Union to avert a ban on fish exports has been slapped with fresh demands. The fresh demands include establishing a mechanism to inspect and monitor all multiday vessels, delegation led by Minister Sarath Amunugama was told. Other demands put forward by the EU Commissioner for Maritime Affairs are a proper Vessel Monitoring System, more..

Dec 14 (ST) For the first time in SL, an Elections Department official will be present to supervise postal voting wherever it is held, Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said. Move followed fears expressed by political parties that malpractice could take place at postal voting centres. He said there were allegations that in some instances state sector employees were being told to show their ballot papers to their bosses more..

Dec 14 (Island) The cause and the course of the campaign for 2015 presidential election have to be confined to the reassertion of democratic principles. Personalities should not be posited as the key elements since they are, as in all else, passing features in the passage of time. This country has been suddenly put on full alert. Wires have gone live all over, market places are alive with the news that a common candidate for the 2015 Presidential elections had emerged supported by more..

Dec 14 (Island) Depending on who is saying it, there have been half a dozen or more characterizations of the forthcoming presidential election. I for one called it a presidential referendum and drew an uneasy parallel to the 1982 referendum. Two former Peradeniya academics with deep roots in the left movement have offered different takes on the election. According to one of them the coming election could be the most historic since the island�s first ever election under universal franchise more..

Dec 14 (CT) The country's agriculture sector has a large proportion of people who contribute lesser than expected to the economy, burdening Sri Lanka's overall population with the extensive support provided by the State through higher tax and food prices. According to Pathfinder Foundation, scarce resources, such as human resources and finance from other dynamic areas, which are complaining of labour and more..

Dec 14 (Island) So we come to yet another time of electioneering where politicians run a circus to amuse the rest of us. And, to a large extent we oblige, exchanging cartoons and videos via social media and even reading posters and cutouts smiling down on us from giant hoardings. Almost exactly five years ago, I had to lead a team from the University of Colombo School of Computing to assist the Elections Commissioner in the final processing of results. more..

Dec 14 (CT) The rupee bubble may burst sooner or later, similar to what happened three years ago, sources said. Despite depreciating pressure on the rupee due to US dollar demand, Central Bank of Sri Lanka has continued to defend the exchange rate (ER) at the Rs 131.10-Rs 132 level to the US dollar by a mix of moral suasion and selling dollars on a selective basis from its foreign exchange (FX) reserves to the market and to the Government of Sri Lanka at discounted rates. more..

Dec 14 (AM) Asian Mirror can now reveal that UNP National Organizer Daya Damage has distanced himself from the national campaign of the common opposition. He has confined himself to the meetings and propaganda activities in the district of Amrapa � his electorate. The exact reasons for Gamage�s move are still not clear. However, sources close to him said he was disappointed with certain developments of more..

Dec 14 (Island) An Israeli company, listed as the world�s number one generic supplier of pharmaceuticals, has entered the Sri Lankan market to provide therapeutic support to manage chronic kidney diseases, which have witnessed a surge in recent years. Teva Pharmaceuticals says its time-tested, high quality medications are used the world over to treat kidney-related diseases. Joseph M. Grinyo, Professor of Medicine, University of Barcilona at a workshop held at more..

Dec 14 (ST) The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has begun an investigation into how 37 boat-people including children, sailed to Australia, evading Naval patrols on the lookout for people smugglers. CID Sleuths are on the lookout for the organizers of the illegal voyage, who have reportedly fled the area sources said. The 37 asylum seekers were produced before the Chilaw Magistrate and remanded till December 9, pending further investigations. more..

Dec 14 (Island) The Constitutional proposals drafted by the Joint Opposition to abolish the Executive Presidency within a 100-day timeframe, envisages the formation of a Parliamentary Affairs Committee to manage the business of Parliament, political sources revealed. This Committee will replace the present system of control of Parliament by the Cabinet. Other than the Leader of the House, other representative of more..

Dec 14 (NS) A group of activists who are planning to launch a policy document on ensuring sustainable development and environmental rights tomorrow (15) insist they have no political affiliations and will present the document to all presidential candidates who are willing to listen. The group, known as the National Environmental Activist Group, will present its policy document to Common Candidate Maithripala Sirisena at the Mahaweli Center tomorrow afternoon. more..

Dec 14 (AM) Deputy Minister of Health Lalith Dissanayake, who was promoted as Acting Minister of Health, is now disgruntled as he has lost the position to former UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake, who joined the govt last week. Dissanayake, a senior SLFP politician representing the Kegalle District, was first elected to Parliament in 2000 and in 2010. He entered into national level politics when former President Chandrika Kumaratunga was the Leader of the SLFP. more..

Dec 14 (CG) President Rajapaksa today said that common opposition Presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena cannot be trusted. He said that Sirisena was with him till late at night the day before he joined the opposition and did not even say a proper goodbye. Speaking at an election rally, President questioned how one can trust a person of that nature and hand over the responsibilities of being President of a country. more..

Dec 14 (ST) The Krrish group In India has been warned that it should pay the balance of Rs. 639.5 million for the Colombo Fort Transworks Square land lease or face the risk of losing the land, a senior Urban Development Authority (UDA) official said. He said the Krrish group needed to complete payments for 70 perches for the lease agreement to be finalised. �We will find a suitable investor if Krrish is not interested in making the payments,� the official added. more..

Dec 14 (CG) JHU, which is supporting opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential election next month, noted that the main focus of the polls is on democracy and good governance. JHU General Secretary Champika Ranawaka said that while the main Tamil parties look to decide who they will support at the election, the goal of the opposition candidate is not to focus on any ethnic issue. �This election is not about issues faced by the Tamils, Sinhalese or Muslims. more..

Dec 14 (CG) SLMC has still not been able to reach a conclusion on who it will support at the Presidential election. A meeting was held today in Gatambe, Kandy with the participation of SLMC MPs, PC members and LC members. However following the meeting SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem said that the party has not been able to reach a final decision on who to support at the polls. He said that the govt has shown flexibility more..

Dec 14 (AM) The local govt politician of the South who rose to fame due to a toy pistol has asked for Rs. 20 million from presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena�s camp to switch allegiance, Asian Mirror learns. This request has been made to a businessman who plays a key role in Maithripala Sirisena�s campaign. However, the businessman had told the politician that the Common Candidate had strictly instructed them to refrain from giving money to ruling party defectors. more..

Dec 14 (NS) On a directive from President Rajapaksa, all privileges are to be awarded to 1,624 disabled military personnel who went on retirement or obtained discharge from the army after injuries sustained in terrorist attacks. Accordingly, these personnel will receive all entitled privileges in Dec 2014 on the orders of the Army Commander, following the presidential directive. �Likewise, all arrears in salary and other perks that should be paid from March 1, 2014 until to date are to be more..

Dec 14 (EN) Sri Lankans are being denied access to asset declarations by candidates in next month's presidential election in which allegations of corruption and abuse of power against the govt are a key plank of the opposition's campaign. All 19 candidates, including President Rajapaksa and his main challenger Maithripala Sirisena, have filed their declarations of assets and liabilities with the Elections Department, more..