Jan 1 (CT) A recent newspaper report has alleged that the top-most official in the country�s official Statistics Bureau, the Department of Census and Statistics or DCS, has instructed the officer handling the GDP numbers to increase the growth rate in Quarter I of 2013 from 5.5% to 6% when there were no ground conditions warranting the issue of such instructions. The top-most official concerned has denied any wrong-doing but declined to give details of his side of the story expecting more..

Jan 1 (CT) US President Barack Obama's Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, Nisha Desai Biswal, will make her debut in this country in January 2014, most probably on 10 January, according to diplomatic sources. Her first overseas assignment after taking over her new post was to travel to Bangladesh to help work out a solution to the political dilemma facing the country at the moment. Below is an excerpt of the speech she made at the swearing-in ceremony: more..

Jan 1 (SO) The recently concluded first international conference on Unani, Ayurvedic, Siddha and Traditional Medicines was a success and a symbol of ethnic harmony because it brought all three communities to one platform under the logo of medicine. The conference organised by the Institute of Indigenous Medicine (IIM) was held at BMICH from Dec 19 to 21. Since ancient days Unani, Ayurvedic and Siddha medicines were more..

Jan 1 (NS) The TNA does not trust the Govt. Nothing wrong in that. If all political entities trusted and agreed with one another there wouldn�t be separate political parties for too long, never mind the fact that politics would be quite boring. Mistrust, however, is not a one way street. Those who do not trust and harp on the fact all the time in order to play �No Show� can but expect their political �others� to distrust in return. If �trust� is an issue to say �no� to all exercises initiated by the Govt, more..

Jan 1 (ST) At the close of a year that has proved to be disastrously negative for Sri Lankan democracy, Sri Lankans should look to the Indian people to see the manner in which democracy is defended by bold action on the ground. This Saturday, India�s unassuming anti-corruption activist Arwind Kejriwal assumed office as Delhi�s 7th, and youngest, Chief Minister after resoundingly defeating his predecessor, seasoned front-liner of the Congress Party Sheila Dixit in assembly polls more..

Jan 1 (DBS) Joseph Pararajasingham who served as Batticaloa district MP for 15 years was killed eight years ago on Christmas day. Had the Batticaloa MP been among the living, he would have turned eighty in November 2014. Despite his many years of service to the people of the East and being described at one time as the �uncrowned king of Batticaloa�� Joseph seems to be a forgotten person now. This commemorative article is more..

Jan 1 (CT) After talking about the infamous B-C & D-C pacts and on the Mrs. Chandrika drama of Neelan-GL package deals, TNA leader Mr. Sampanthan thanked the members of parliament for not interrupting him during his speech which is a good sign of learning self-discipline by a pack of rowdy MPs. But was there a single Sinhala MP who could reply to Sampanthan with facts & figures (plus history) so that the Hansard has the whole story recorded? This is pathetic and I am glad that more..

Jan 1 (NS) These are diary days. Calendar days too. All institutions, big and small, private and public, are busy getting diaries out. It is probably considered a serious come down for a self-respecting corporate entity not to print diaries for distribution among clients, employees, politicians and friends, corporate and otherwise. The diary bug seems to have stung the SME sector as well. Everyone seems to feel a dire need to print a diary, even a pocket-size one. Calendars too. more..

Jan 1 (CI) Sri Lanka's leadership is in a strange state. This XI features the country's best-ever tactical captain and a cricketer who is perhaps the most respected current player in the world. While either Mahela or Sangakkara could helm virtually any other Test side, a 26-year-old holds the reins for Sri Lanka. In Abu Dhabi, Angelo Mathews's produced the sort of lone hand the two senior men have customarily provided. more..

Jan 1 (EAR) In recent days, I learnt that you, Defence Secretary � Gotabaya Rajapaksa, brother of President Rajapaksa met some dignitaries. This was to prevent any resolution coming against Sri Lanka in the forthcoming 25th session of the UNHRC in Geneva. Among the diaspora a few are not happy about your new role but I am extremely happy and welcome you. It comes as no surprise that you are compelled to undertake this task. In fact, half of the lobbyists of your govt are more..

Jan 1 (Island) There is something common in Rathika Sitsabaiesan and Nisha Desai Biswal, now in their early thirties. Both left their countries of birth as toddlers along with their families, seeking better lives in the West. Rathika and Nisha had been just five and six years of age, respectively, when their families migrated. Jaffna-born Rathika�s family moved to Canada in the mid 80s. Both had achieved important milestones in their lives; Rathika is now a Canadian MP, while Nisha, more..

Jan 1 (ST) Friday Forum, a top, Colombo-based civil rights group, has urged the government to ensure a transparent development plan which provides for and ensures the participation of representatives of the affected communities in relocation procedures. �There has been public criticism that these evictions are being used to redefine the demography of some urban areas and therefore there is a need for transparency more..

Jan 1 (FT) The 5th National level school ICT championship awarding ceremony was held recently, at the Art Theatre of University of Colombo under the patronage of Ministry of Education with the distinguished presence of Deputy Minister of Education Mohan Lal Grero. The National Level School Information and Communication Technology Champions competition which was started in 2009 is the only official competition conducted by the Information and Communication Technology more..

Jan 1 (DM) About 15 years ago, I wrote an article on Integrated Tourism Development. I proposed 4 or 5 Mega Tourism Complexes around 1000 acres or more in extent in different parts of Sri Lanka to meet the tourism demand for the next 10 to 15 years. Each of these complexes to be comprehensively designed with access to cultural and heritage locations and with provision to provide for different Star Categories of Hotels, which will range from 6 Star downwards to provide at least more..

Jan 1 (CT) The death of a male anaconda at the Dehiwala Zoo due to it being swallowed by its mate has received mixed reactions from environmentalists, herpetologists and veterinary surgeons. The reasons behind the bizarre ingestion have been attributed to either starvation of the female, separating the pair over a period of time or due to a natural phenomenon. After having lived together for many years, more..

Jan 1 (Island) Indian allegations of possible Muslim militant attacks in Sri Lanka over the hanging of a Bangladeshi political leader on 12 December 2013 is another mischievous attempt to portray, the Muslims of Sri Lanka as being in conspiracy with militants and terrorists. Such false insinuations vilifying the Sri Lankan Muslims are being made, from time to time, as part of a broader attempt to justify interfering in Sri Lanka�s internal affairs. What is disturbing in the Indian request for enhanced security more..

Jan 1 (Island) Knowledge is created or constructed due to Avijja, based on the Chinthanaya and relative to the sense organs, mind and the culture of the people, in terms of concepts, theories etc. One who "knows" through prathyaksha, and not with concepts and theories, that whole knowledge, not just that of "self" as the "Arhaths" do, is due to avijja, "knows" everything. In my view it is in that sense "Buddha" was "sarvanna" (who knew everything). Since we are not even "Arhaths" more..

Jan 1 (CT) The JVP is to lodge a complaint against the Chief of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), today, by submitting a petition to the very Commission of which he is the head. JVP MP, Vijitha Herath, said the petition includes allegations of bribery and corruption committed by the CIABOC Chairman, Jagath Balapatabendi, in the past six years, from the time he was a Judge more..

Jan 1 (Island) Senior Managers who are aspiring to be corporate heads of tomorrow, steering the destiny of their enterprises, are in with a great opportunity. For the first time in Sri Lanka Overseas Human Resources and Industry Development Association (HIDA) - Japan with their local counterpart, Japan Sri Lanka Technical Cultural Association (JASTECA) is offering an unique new �major component� funded scholarship programme in Japan on "Corporate Leadership" more..

Jan 1 (DN) The massive qualitative transformation that is currently being witnessed in the country�s education sector would not have been possible if not for President Rajapaksa, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena said adding that so far the funds spent for education since the election of President Rajapaksa to office had outstripped the colossal amount expended on the accelerated Mahaweli project. Speaking at a breakfast meeting with media heads at a Colombo hotel, more..

Jan 1 (Island) As many EU GSP beneficiary economies witness an end to their benefits on 1 Jan 2014 with the activation of the new GSP scheme, some notables, including Sri Lanka, shall continue to smile vis-�-vis their shipments to world�s largest economy. Despite the reduction of the number of countries enjoying EU GSP in June 2012, starting today, Sri Lanka has clinched 10 more years of this promising lifeline from the world�s more..

Jan 1 (Island) Time was when children had to undergo corporal punishment�slapping or caning�for playing excessively during school hours; they were asked to concentrate on their studies or face the consequences. Parents, too, had a hard time stopping their children from playing at home and getting them to study. Old timers may recall that they played on their way to school as well. The world was one big playground for them. Education was free and so were children, who did not more..

Jan 1 (Island) A mental patient who turned violent at the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital was brought under control by a group of other patients on Monday(30). But the patient died later in the ward, according Peradeniya police who are conducting investigations. The deceased was identified as M. Podimahattaya (65) from Bulathkohupitiya in the Kegalla district. Police said a magisterial inquiry had been held and a postmortem examination ordered. Investigations are conducted by more..

Jan 1 (Island) Govt has made it compulsory for all schoolchildren to take part in sports from this year in a bid to produce good sportspersons and ensure that children will stay healthy. Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena said that a joint Cabinet paper to that effect presented by him and Sports Minister S.B. Dissanayake had been approved recently. A 10 minute physical exercise for schoolchildren in the morning would start on more..

Jan 1 (CT) A sailor attached to the Sri Lanka Navy was remanded till 8 January by the Acting Magistrate of Trincomalee, on Monday, in a case of sexual abuse that had allegedly taken place on Sunday morning at Thiriyai, a village north of the Trincomalee District. According to the parents of the four-year-old victim, the suspect, was a sailor attached to the Sri Lanka Navy and was working in a camp. However, the police said that according to information they had received, more..

Jan 1 (DN) President Rajapaksa said that all religious leaders should stress the need to live in peace and harmony, rejecting hatred and anger. He said so while participating in a ceremony at the Urapola Siri Rathanajothi Pirivena in Thihagoda Matara, on Monday. The President opened several construction works of the Urapola Siri Rathanajothi temple, including the parapet wall around the Bodhiya and the 28 Buddha statues, the Siri Rohana Sanga Sabha headquarters building more..

Jan 1 (CG) Muslim Council in SL has raised concerns over reports which had indicated that the Indian High Commission in Colombo had sought increased security from the SL Govt fearing attacks from Muslim militants. In a letter to the Indian High Commission, Muslim Council said the Muslim community in SL has never been part of the armed conflicts, nor do they have any armed extremist forces amongst them. more..

Jan 1 (CT) SL Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said it facilitated tickets to 15 Sri Lankan workers who were caught up in the civil war in South Sudan, and who had expressed their wish to return home. Deputy General Manager of SLBFE, Mangala Randeniya, said already three of the workers had come back and that the remaining 12 will be flying to Sri Lanka soon. Randeniya said six of the workers had not registered with the SLFBE and they had difficulty in purchasing their tickets. more..

Jan 1 (CG) The Officer In Charge (OIC) of the Wellampitiya police was arrested last night during a special operation conducted by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD). Police spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said that the OIC was arrested over raids carried out by the CCD on suspects having illegal drugs and heroin in their possession. The police spokesman said that investigations are now underway and further information will be revealed following the investigations. more..

Jan 1 (DN) In a bid to bust the international drug trafficking racket and nab the local accomplices, the Police Department has requested the Pakistan Govt through the External Affairs Ministry to extradite the main suspect who is allegedly involved in the smuggling of 150 Kgs of heroin to Sri Lanka. Dismissing news reports that legal barriers have delayed the extradition of the main suspect from Pakistan, more..

Jan 1 (National) Sport can be cruel at times. Bangladesh were at the top of Group B after the first two games, but a loss to Sri Lanka in the final match sent them out of the Under 19 Asia Cup. �We knew we were not guaranteed a place in the semi-finals, yet it is very, very disappointing for us to go out of this competition this way,� said Mehedy Hasan, the Bangladesh captain. �I think we were about 30-odd runs short. We had to win the game and we just couldn�t do it.� more..

Jan 1 (National) This, beginning on the last day of the year, is Sri Lanka�s fourth Test of the year. Australia and England have played 14 each. South Africa have played nine. India have, surprisingly, only played eight. It is surprising because the noise that is made about every Test they do or do not play is so loud and permanent, that the figure feels like it should be higher. Even Pakistan have played eight, and in front of Sri Lanka�s total, that sounds like a seriously overburdened schedule. more..

Jan 1 (CG) President Rajapaksa, in his New Year message, sought the trust of the people saying 2014 will be of special significance in economic and national development as well as in the field of politics. He said that Sri Lanka will be celebrating the dawn of the New Year together with pride in it�s success in building the nation through a long drawn campaign for development. �We shall continue to move towards this while more..

Jan 1 (DM) As part of a comprehensive plan to streamline the domestic service sector, Saudi Arabia has decided to sign agreements with six labor-exporting countries including Sri Lanka to recruit domestic helpers. �Saudi Arabian Labor Minister Adel Fakeih will travel to New Delhi on Wednesday to ink the new labor pact for the recruitment of domestic workers from India,� Dr. Ahmed F. Al-Fahaid, deputy labor minister for international affairs, told Arab News. more..

Jan 1 (CT) Chief Medical Officer of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam, said more than 400 eateries within the municipality area are operating without a valid licence and in unhygienic conditions. "We cannot approve these eateries as their standard of hygiene is deplorable. When we take legal action they pay the fine and restart operations without a licence, as the fines they have to pay are minimal," he said. He added that there have been more..

Jan 1 (CG) Sri Lankan born Tamil Canadian Parliamentarian, Rathika Sitsabaiesan has been placed on house arrest since last night in Jaffna where she is currently on a fact finding mission. Jaffna media reports indicated that no one was allowed to meet the MP last night at the hotel she is staying. Earlier the Canadian MP, who has been very critical of the Sri Lankan Government, had met displaced families in Vallikamam North. more..

Jan 1 (DM) In a sense today is another day. Just another day. The sun came up like it did yesterday and as it will tomorrow. So too will it set. And yet, the first day of January is special and treated as such; a fresh page on a new diary, a new leaf marking a new chapter. It�s not the real aluth avurudda of course, for that particular day in April is celebrated in ways that puts January first to shame and embedded with meaning that is unmatched by any other day in the calendar. more..

Jan 1 (DM) In Sri Lanka, it is generally assumed that state takeover of the economy is a step towards �socialism� and fair play. State sector is considered to be stable and provides job satisfaction. Of course even in the corporate sector there is relative independence of working conditions. Higher officials being state sector managers, it is assumed there will be a more humane attitude towards the subordinates. Jobs in the state sector are thus safe and respectable. more..

Jan 1 (DM) President Mahinda Rajapaksa in an interview conducted via email stated that there can be �no one Policeman in the world� and questioned as to where those accusing the govt of human rights violations were during the past three decades. In the interview which featured a broad array of questions, the President defends allegations of widespread corruption, Human Rights abuse, and the skyrocketing cost of living. more..

Jan 1 (SL) Highlighting issues faced by the public in the North, particularly when they are sensitive issues, is not easy. But there are some newspapers which have continued to be the voice of the voiceless despite facing threats and intimidation. Northern based Uthayan newspaper was recently awarded the prestigious International Press Freedom Award for 2013 by the France-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF). more..