Aug 7 (Island) Ranil de Silva, Managing Director of Leo Burnett Solutions (LBSI) together with the Executive Committee of the company, presented a book featuring the agency's award winning work to Andrew C. Mann, Charg� d'Affaires at the U.S. embassy in Colombo, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the global network. Leo Burnett Worldwide was founded in Chicago, USA on 5 Aug in 1935 and celebrated its 80th global anniversary this year, whilst SL outpost commemorated more..

Aug 7 (Hindu) The Cabinet has approved a tie-up with the Reliance Life Sciences, a firm belonging to the Reliance Industries, to sell plasma so as to get plasma proteins from the Indian firm. In Sri Lanka, the National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS) collects about 100,000 litres of plasma annually through its collection centres. Of this, 60,000 units are consumed for clinical use after components of blood are separated. The surplus quantity of 40,000 litres is now going waste. more..

Aug 7 (ENS) Ranil Wickremesinghe govt has put in the dock the Indian public sector railway construction company Ircon International (IRCON), over several issues relating to the restoration of the railway system in the Northern Province between 2010 and 2015. On the advice of a four-man committee, cabinet has decided to review the execution of US$ 800 million Indian-funded project, and take appropriate action more..

Aug 7 (DM) While Sri Lankans focus mainly on the August 17 general election, we also need to look beyond, and become aware of the catastrophe facing the whole world because of environmental pollution and the equally devastating self destructive nuclear weapons of mass destruction. Nine countries, including the rogue state of North Korea, have enough nuclear weapons to blast the whole world to pieces. The threat became more explosive recently when the tough talking more..

Aug 7 (DM) I was watching an interview featuring Champika Ranawaka on a private television channel and it made me realise the extent of change that had happened to this one-time ultra nationalist hardliner. With his erudite arguments and thoughtful opinions, Patali Champika proved that he has converted from ultra-nationalism, or rather hardline radicalism to moderate statesmanship. If one analyses the journey from the Janatha Mithuro to the present day JHU, this change is a paradigm shift. more..

Aug 7 (ST) What started off with just six people getting together to discuss how best they could protect the last of the precious monuments facing extinction around them, has gathered momentum encompassing nearly 100, with more expected to join up soon. It was once again on an overcast afternoon, with a slight drizzle on and off like showers of blessings, that about 60 people including the initiators, met for the first AGM more..

Aug 7 (SL) Sri Lankans often witness many colourful policy statements and populist proposals presented during election times. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is also a political leader belonging to the same category, who has given various promises to the people during his political career. However, Mahinda Chinthana programme presented by him during his two terms in office must be carefully looked into, in retrospect. more..

Aug 7 (DM) Posters have not covered every wall and pole and no big cutouts have been erected at every junction or fixed to light posts. Loudspeaker announcements from canvassing vehicles are relatively absent. These observations have combined to give the impression that political parties are engaged in the election campaign on a low key this time. Reason is not the lack of enthusiasm or vigorous campaigning by political parties and more..

Aug 7 (DM) Kandy Govt Agent H.M.G. Hitisekara said the Kandy city had not yet been declared a sacred city by an act of parliament and that only a gazette notification had been issued. He pointed out that three gazette notifications had been issued in 1997, 2001 and 2002, but not confirmed by an act of parliament. He said he would take up the issue with the relevant authorities. Actg. Diyawadana Nilame Nilanga Dela Bandara more..

Aug 7 (Hindu) These lines best describe Sanath Jayasuriya, the most destructive batsman of his time. There might have been greater cricketers but no one as intimidating as him. Stepping out of the elevator, those familiar eyes that that one saw through the blue helmet gleaming in delight as bowlers erred, looking around the crowded hotel lobby, Jayasuriya walked up with a smile, �Sorry for having kept you waiting. more..

Aug 7 (CT) Lawyers for Nissanka Senadhipathi, owner of the Avant Garde Company that maintained the floating armoury in Galle, informed Additional Magistrate of Colombo, that some Embassies had rejected granting their client a visa. Senadhipathi's Lawyer Dulendra Weerasuriya told Court when this case was taken up for hearing that, due to the tarnishing of his client's reputation he was unable to obtain visas for his trips abroad. more..

Aug 7 (CI) Two World Cups have gone by since Sri Lanka and India last played a Test series, in July-August 2010. During that period, the two teams have played each other 24 times in ODIs, which brings out the skewed nature of fixtures involving these two sides. In that 2010 series, the Indian line-up included Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman, Sehwag, Gambhir and Dhoni, while Sri Lanka had Mahela, Samaraweera, Sangakkara, Dilshan, more..

Aug 7 (DN) Minister Rajitha Senaratne said a telephone call by Major General Prasanna Silva had silenced former MP Wimal Weerawansa and his cronies to stop speaking about the Defence Ministry vehicle found in Mirihana. He said the security personnel of Major General Silva were returning from his home when they were caught by police. Minister said that former MP Wimal Weerawansa and several others are trying to more..

Aug 7 (Island) The Federation of National Organisations (FNO) urged UPFA PM Candidate former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and UNP Colombo District candidate PM Ranil Wickremesinghe to reveal their positions on the proposed bridge across Palk-Strait linking India and Sri Lanka. FNO Co-Chairman Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekara said that the prime ministerial candidates of the two main parties should make their positions known more..

Aug 7 (AD) The UPFA has terminated the membership of 6 Provincial Council members representing the party. Southern Provincial Council member Anthonige Hewa Piyasena, Uva Provincial Council members Vadivel Suresh and Harindra Bandara, Western Provincial Council members Hirunika Premachandra, Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe and Nirosha Athukorala have been removed from the party. more..

Aug 7 (CT) Lead article in this newspaper yesterday was about a few religious leaders appealing to the voters and political parties to eschew racial and religious bigotry. Their appeal was made in respect of general election. Racial and religious bigotry in the country had its genesis with the then SLFP and MEP coalition leader S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike's successful Sinhala Only campaign at the 1956 general election, reducing the once mighty UNP to a mere eight seats in Parliament. more..

Aug 7 (CT) Social Market Economy may be a familiar term or concept but the other concept might be new. As I perceive it, both concepts have very similar economic components but there is one significant difference. What is it? Social Market Economy will continue to link the distribution of distributable output significantly to the ownership of means of production. On the contrary Social Market Socialism will separate the distribution of distributable output significantly from more..

Aug 7 (CG) The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC), a leading diaspora group in Canada, said it supports the TNA at the Parliamentary election. Earlier the London based Global Tamil Forum (GTF) had also supported the TNA and had urged Tamils to back the Tamil political party at the polls. CTC, in a statement today, said that it strongly urges Tamils and all citizens of Sri Lanka to exercise their right to vote at the upcoming elections. more..

Aug 7 (Reuters) Shares edged down on Friday on profit-taking in large-cap stocks, but stockbrokers expect the index to move sideways with less volatility until the parliamentary election later this month. Hopes of political stability after the Aug. 17 elections and better earnings in the April-June quarter have boosted the index, which has gained 6.6 in a month through Thursday. The main stock index ended 0.09% lower at 7,370.60. "There was a little bit of profit-taking. more..

Aug 7 (Island) UPFA said the UNP�s election manifesto sought a mandate to privatize key state institutions. Former Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said that the UNP had proposed a joint authority for the Health Department with a view to privatising health institutions. "Then UNP govt in 2002 also proposed an authority for the Railway Department, but it failed due to the protests," he said, adding that now the UNP again was on the same path to do it to the health sector. more..

Aug 7 (DM) Minister Champika Ranawaka�s media unit said legal action would be taken against UPFA Colombo District candidate Udaya Gammanpila for making a false allegation that Minister Ranawaka had spent Rs. Rs. 140 million for his election campaign. Minister Ranawaka�s media secretary Danushka Ramanayake said that anyone can question the minister�s assets and take legal action against him, if they had any doubt more..

Aug 7 (Island) Colombo District UNP candidate Ferouza Muzammil said that a UNP victory at the general election under PM Ranil Wickremesinghe�s leadership was a foregone conclusion. Muzammil said that only the UNP leader could bring about harmony among communities, thereby paving the way for an accelerated development programme. UNPer addressed a string of pocket meetings in Colombo over the past several days. Muzammil said that the victory achieved by UNP-led more..

Aug 7 (CT) A-two-and-a-half year old girl was raped and murdered in Kotahena yesterday, the Police Media Unit told Ceylon Today. The girl, found in a lodge in Colombo, had been raped and murdered. Police said that she was already dead when admitted to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital on Wednesday night by her mother. The mother accompanied by another woman and man had come to Colombo from Hatton in search of a job. They had found residence at a lodge in Colombo. more..

Aug 7 (Hindu) Backing Virat Kohli�s five-bowler theory to win Test matches, former batsman Russel Arnold on Friday said that the Indian pace attack has the variety to match their Sri Lankan counterparts. India are ready to begin their three-Test series against the hosts come August 12 and Test skipper Kohli is keen to put forward his new plans in action. Arnold feels the young leader might hit the right note with his combination more..

Aug 7 (DM) President Maithripala Sirisena said today voters had a responsibility to elect only qualified and untainted candidates for the next parliament. He said legislators who are committed to serving the people while upholding the decorum and dignity of parliament should be the ones who the people should elect at the August 17 general election. �People should use their intelligence, knowledge and their experience of what happened in the past when casting their vote,� more..

Aug 7 (Island) UPFA National List nominee Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha yesterday alleged that the rate of Rs. 2.75 billion per km quoted by MCC (Metallurgical Corporation of China) for the contract it had signed with the last government to build the Outer Circular Highway (OCH) had gone up to Rs 4.5 bn and Rs 7.5 bn for the sections it had now been awarded, without tender procedure, and without Cabinet being informed of precise costs Prof. Wijesinha has said: "In his Cabinet Paper dated July 20, more..

Aug 7 (AM) Former UPFA MP Namal Rajapaksa categorically refuted allegations that his family is involved in the death of former Havelock�s Captain Wasim Thajudeen in any way. Speaking to BBC in a special interview, Namal Rajapaksa said that they were family friends. They have been to Thajudeen�s home often, Rajapaksa added. The friendship with him started from schooling days and lasted for five six years, more..

Aug 7 (DM) The biggest minority comprising of people with restricted ability, who would be re-writing political history in Sri Lanka by becoming the first such persons to contest a Parliamentary Election, yesterday slammed all political parties for neglecting them and for their failure to give them their due place in the society. One of the candidates, Ajith C. Perera, who is the Chief Executive of Idiriya, an organization dedicated to helping differently abled persons, explained that they had decided to more..

Aug 7 (Island) Rugby player Wasim Thajudeen, who was found dead in his car over three years back, had been killed by three Presidential Security Division personnel, Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday. He said investigations had revealed that the talented national ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen, had been murdered by the PSD men, on May 17, 2012 though it had been claimed that he had died when his car crashed into a wayside wall at Kirulapone. more..

Aug 7 (CI) Uncapped left-arm seamer Vishwa Fernando has been named in SL's squad for the three-Test series against India, while Shaminda Eranga and Suranga Lakmal miss out due to injury. Fernando had featured in the Test squads to the UAE and Bangladesh in 2014, but had not been picked to play. He is part of the SL Board President's XI that is playing the ongoing tour game against the Indians in Colombo and took more..

Aug 7 (DN) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said that the govt will make arrangements to hold a Dhamma Sangayanawa (Dhamma Council) in 2017, if it receives the consent from the members of the Maha Sangha. He said that such a Sangayanawa will help protect the Theravada tradition of Buddhism which has been protected and promoted by the Buddhist monks of Maha Vihara tradition for centuries. "The Budhist society in the world will be contended by this meritorious deed for more..

Aug 7 (CT) Statement made by former president Chandrika Kumaratunga on 5 August is akin to one that would have been made by the UNP Spokesman, said SLFP Senior Vice President Janaka Bandara Tennakoon. He expressed his disgust at the speech and said that Bandaranaike as a patron of the SLFP should not have made that kind of speech. Tennakoon added that the speech harmed the SLFP at a time when the election was so near and a number of SLFPers are greatly more..

Aug 7 (IANS) TN Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa urged PM Narendra Modi to take steps to expedite decentralization of power in Sri Lanka -- for the cause of Tamil Eelam. Jayalalithaa presented a memorandum listing various demands to Modi when he went to her residence after launching the National Handloom Day and India Handloom brand here. Meeting between Modi and Jayalalithaa lasted around 50 minutes. more..

Aug 7 (CT) TNA Digamadulla District one and only woman candidate K. Annamma, said, history records that the Tamil women have in the past engaged in fighting for their rights in a non-violent struggle to achieve Tamil Nationalism and in the process they have sacrificed a lot both directly and indirectly. She also said that women of this calibre have done wonders for the remarkable achievements women. "Today we need such women to raise their voice in Parliament. more..

Aug 7 (AD) The UPFA today charged that with the escalating crime wave in the country and the increasing election-related violence being unleashed by UNP candidates, good governance has turned into underworld governance. UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha stated that it was amusing to see the Deputy Minister of Justice question good governance while using his power to exert pressure on the police, absconding the court and accusing the police. more..

Aug 7 (Reuters) Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa is trailing his main rival in a prime ministerial elections later this month, the latest national opinion poll showed, as the once-powerful leader struggles to mount a strong campaign. Ousted by former ally Maithripala Sirisena in a presidential election in January, Rajapaksa is seeking to turn the tables at the Aug. 17 parliamentary polls but is being dogged by more..

Aug 7 (CI) Ishant Sharma's searing opening spell defined day two of the tour match, as he tore through half the opposition inside 21 balls, after India had reached 351. Sixteen wickets fell in total during the day - most of these to the new ball, on a surface that remained helpful for seam bowling. The Indians themselves were in trouble at 28 for 3 in the second innings, but were steadied by KL Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara, who led the team to 112 for 3 by stumps. more..

Aug 7 (AD) Sri Lankan Govt has condoled the loss of lives in the devastating floods that took place in Myanmar, hoping for a quick recovery of the nation. The Foreign ministry has issued a statement iterating solidarity and support to the Myanmar Govt at this time of grief. The widespread floods, triggered last week due to heavy rains, have left 81 dead, the Myanmar�s Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement reported. 101,000 acres of paddy in the Ayeyarwady region have been flooded, more..

Aug 7 (DM) EC Mahinda Deshapriya had sent a letter to Minister Ravi Karunanayake and questioned the nature of the donation of a house during an election, on a complaint filed by NFF member Kapila Gamage. Mr. Gamage had complained that minister's donation of a house to the family of the woman, who was shot dead at Kotahena last Friday, was an election bribe. While denying the charges, minister said more..

Aug 7 (Xinhua) UPFA sought an explanation from PM Ranil Wickremesinghe over a rise in attacks carried out by underworld groups in the island nation. UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha said that as a result of the rise in murders and attacks in recent weeks, fear has spread amongst the people during the election period. "PM has to give an explanation over this fear psychosis which has spread in the country especially during the election period," more..