Dec 13 (ST) My dear JR, I thought of writing to you even though you are in the Land of Never Return to let you know that after 37 long years and six Presidents, the Blues and Greens got together last week and announced that they would like to do away with the Executive Presidency that you introduced in the late �70s. Now, I know that this is all part of the yahapaalanaya package and that most people do not have much faith in yahapaalanaya these days because some of their promises more..

Dec 13 (SL) Minister and former General Secretary of UPFA Susil Premajayantha says that maintaining a balance is the key in all areas of the govt�s policies and implementation. He said that as a national govt made up of two parties, it is vital that a proper dialogue be maintained between these two parties and the policies of both parties be incorporated in the decision making processes. However he noted that what is happening more..

Dec 13 (SO) The SLFP�s in-fighting reached a new height last week with the party�s top rung leaders lashing out at each other in public over what happened under the previous administration. A heated verbal battle in Parliament between Transport Minister and former Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva and UPFA MP Kumara Welgama was nothing but a demonstration of the hostile dynamics prevailing within the SLFP, now led by President Maithripala Sirisena. more..

Dec 13 (Island) Yesterday, the govt held last minute talks with the trade unions with a view to heading off strike action on Monday. The GMOA apparently had not been invited for this meeting. The only way for this meeting to succeed would be for the PM to cave into all the demands of the unions. That hardly seems likely because if the govt caves in, there will be no budget. The coming week will be an acid test for the govt. If they manage to survive the standoff with the unions, they�ll be able to implement more..

Dec 13 (SL) The TELO, a constituent party of the TNA, had announced earlier that it would not back the 2016 budget in parliament unless the Tamil political prisoners were freed. Leader of TELO and Deputy Chairman of Committees in Parliament, MP Selvam Adaikalanathan had also informed the TNA of his decision. However the TNA, and its coalition of parties including TELO, backed the second reading of the budget. more..

Dec 13 (SL) The mysterious deaths of four prominent journalists during the so called war carry a feature common to all of them: The whiff of barrack rooms � either military or police. This could be an essential clue in the attempt to track down their killers even though in a certain instance the killing has taken place almost 22 years ago and yet not solved. Richard de Zoysa, prominent journalist and dramatist, was dragged out of his house in Welikadawatte, Nawala in more..

Dec 13 (ST) The currents and under currents at local cricket elections continued to unfold in the aftermath of the sports ministry ruling stating that some of those contestants are ineligible contest next cricket AGM. However it is now known that the decision by the Director General of the Ministry of Sports rejecting at least two nominees would be contested. After the Ministry of Sports rejected the names of K. Mathivanan (Sumathipala faction) Asanga Seneviratne (Ranatunga faction) more..

Dec 13 (Island) With the World T-20 just around the corner, the national cricket team suffered a massive blow after they were forced to send wicketkeeper Kusal Janith Perera home from the tour of NZ earlier this week. ICC said that Perera had been charged for an anti-doping rule violation under the ICC Anti-Doping Code. Perera has been provisionally suspended as the sample he provided in an out of competition test, more..

Dec 13 (CT) NOTE: This is a mere parody of events and not for the likes of the faint of heart. If you have a tendency of getting butt-hurt, we suggest to you not to read this. Samples taken from the murdered national ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen's body and stored away in the freezer at the JMO office might have been thrown away inadvertently, alongside parts of the then JMO's brain and memory. Former Chief JMO Professor Ananda Samarasekara submitting information to more..

Dec 13 (ST) Former member of the ICC Elite umpiring panel Asoka de Silva, who is the head of the PCU (Professional Cricket Umpires), feels that the profession of umpiring is in the wilderness as a result of some unprofessional ethics in their trade. He says that his association which houses over 85% of the top umpires in the country are not involved in standing at most of the school matches. As a result of this situation there is a huge deterioration of the standards in umpiring in that sector. more..

Dec 13 (SO) Former cricketer Chaminda Vaas has called for an overhaul of coaching techniques in SL to keep pace with changes in the modern day game while stressing on the importance of fitness. SL�s pace spearhead for a long time, 41-year-old Vaas certainly looks as fit he was during his active playing days. �As a fast bowler you have to always maintain your fitness. That�s one thing I always take seriously more..

Dec 13 (ST) Sri Lanka is on the verge of facing a severe shortage of milk powder as local importers have been struggling for their survival due to heavy taxes and depreciation of the rupee. There could be a milk powder shortage in the country in February and March next year if the govt does not bring down taxes, milk powder importers warned. Along with the devaluation of the rupee which is now at Rs. 142 a dollar from Rs.132 before the budget and the increase in total taxes including more..

Dec 13 (Hindu) Police have arrested an accused, who acted as a kingpin of a drug peddling gang, which smuggled narcotics to Sri Lanka after a high drama during a vehicle check here on Friday night. A police team, headed by Inspector of Police Rajkumar Samuel, was engaged in a vehicle check near the check post when R. Selvakumar (33), a drug trafficker, failed to stop his car and tried to escape when the police team arrested him after a hard chase, police said. more..

Dec 13 (ST) Massive pressure from the public, govt, opposition politicians and the subject minister is mounting against the proposed merger between Divineguma Bank which has a deposit portfolio of around Rs. 59 billion and National Savings Bank (NSB), country�s premier savings bank. Treasury has made the 2016 budget proposal to merge the two banks with majority savings deposits of the poor people as the Divineguma Bank more..

Dec 13 (PTI) Madhya Pradesh right-hander Amandeep Khare hit a fine century as India U-19 beat their Sri Lankan counterparts by 4 runs via Duckworth-Lewis method in a tri-series match here on Saturday. Batting first, India colts scored 284 for seven in 50 overs with Amandeep scoring 102 off 98 balls with 9 boundaries and a six. He shared a 107-run stand for the second wicket with Washington Sundar (77), who dropped anchor facing 115 balls. He had seven boundaries in his innings. more..

Dec 13 (NS) Govt is divided in its choice over Chinese and Indian credit lines to purchase locomotives and multiple units for the Upcountry and Jaffna railway lines, authoritative sources disclosed. Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva submitted a Cabinet Memorandum last Wednesday seeking to call tenders for the purchase of locomotives and multiple units for the upcountry and Jaffna railway. While a section of the Govt preferred Indian trains under Indian credit line, another section voiced more..

Dec 13 (ST) Sri Lankan casino owners, first battling anti-casino sentiments from the powerful Buddhist clergy and now unbearable taxes, are seriously considering closing down their business. The only two top-end billionaire casino operators are Dhammika Perera�s (Ballagio/Ballys) and Ravi Wijeratne�s (Stardust/Marina casinos). Mr. Perera�s casino MGM Grand at Bambalapitiya was closed in May more..

Dec 13 (ST) Now that the FCID has made sure some high profile offenders of the stock market are being prosecuted, other stock holders in the industry are getting jittery, according to sources. In particular the stockbrokers are worried, according to them. �Some of them are clearly guilty of certain irregularities, especially of insider trading during the 2011-2013 period. There was no action taken against them, mainly because they were members or connected to the stock mafia,� more..

Dec 13 (SL) The bodyguard of former President Rajapaksa, Neville Wanniarachi, has been questioned by the CID for allegedly having in his possession a baby elephant illegally. He had been questioned on Dec 9, and it has been revealed that he was given the baby elephant during the former regime. The baby elephant has been kept at a Temple in Tangalle. When contacted, Rohan Weliwitta, media spokesman of former President, said that Wanniarachi was questioned but more..

Dec 13 (ENS) The Chief Minister of Northern Province, C.V. Wigneswaran, has assured India that the differences in the TNA will be ironed out and that unity will be maintained to enable the Tamils to secure their rights in Sri Lanka. This assurance was given to Indian High Commissioner, Y.K. Sinha, when he had a two-hour meeting CM Wigneswaran in Jaffna on Dec 10. Sinha was on a 3-day tour of Northern Province more..

Dec 13 (SL) Former Chief Executive of the CSN Yasara Abeynayake has reportedly told the FCID everything about her relationship with Yoshitha Rajapaksa, one of the sons of former President Rajapaksa. Abeynayake had been questioned since July, and the last time she was questioned, she had revealed that Yoshitha Rajapaksa visited the CSN office often and had dealings with her. The FCID had visited the CSN last month to conduct investigations, and a small office of CSN more..

Dec 13 (ST) A Junior National Rugby squad player participating in the Junior Rugby Asiad was yesterday detained at the Singapore Airport after he was found to be travelling on his brother�s passport, perhaps accidently, officials said. They said the Isipathana school boy left the BIA along with the squad of 25 but the passport mishap was not detected by local Immigration officials. Schools Rugby Association President Ranjith Chandrasekera said he had been informed of the incident more..

Dec 13 (CT) Marriage of UNP-SLFP coalition govt seems to be on the rocks with internal clashes that were kept under the carpets so far, reaching a threatening level of going out of control. Govt seems to have started counting its days with relationship between govt hierarchies and its Finance Minister getting sour and greatest int'l pillar of support India frowning at a defence deal between SL and India's arch rival Pakistan. more..

Dec 13 (Island) The informal sector commands an 80% share of the hospitality sector in the Deep South. This was revealed during a recent fact finding tour of the region by the Minister of Tourism Development, John Amaratunga, a news release issued by the ministry said. "Following the budget presentation which proposed to regularize the informal sector by June next year, there have been some concerns emanating from the sector as to how this would be carried out," it said. more..

Dec 13 (ENS) India is helping war-affected North Sri Lankan Tamils hone their English language skills through the establishment of a language lab at Kopay in Jaffna with 31 computers and relevant software. The lab was inaugurated by the Indian High Commissioner Y.K. Sinha. The lab will impart training to English language teachers from schools, colleges and universities, upgrade their skills; and raise the general level of proficiency in the English language in the province. more..

Dec 13 (SO) As allegations surface of attempts to cover up the mystery death of Wasim Thajudeen, CID will question former Senior DIG Anura Senanayake, OIC of Narahenpita and Kirulapona Police stations in Colombo and, several other senior officers who handled the initial investigations. Within the next couple of weeks the CID is likely to furnish a comprehensive report to the Colombo Additional Magistrate based on more..

Dec 13 (ST) Sri Lanka�s controversial Central Bank bond issue is likely to come up under the investigation of the COPE again. COPE headed by JVP MP Sunil Handunnetti has to take a decision on the re-opening of the probe into bond issue publish a report and take appropriate action against those who were responsible if there was any irregularity in the procedure, a senior govt official said. Failure to implement the recommendations of the COPE on state institutions is to be rectified more..

Dec 13 (SO) The Sri Lanka Govt Combine Management Services Union yesterday announced that they will resort to their strike action on Tuesday after failed talks with PM Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday evening. The negotiations with the PM were on several proposals of the 2016 budget and involved over 50 trade unions. The talks were a failure with some of the unions citing displeasure over the outcome of the meeting, trade union sources told the Sunday Observer. more..

Dec 13 (ST) President Maithripala Sirisena had some words of caution to his ministers this week. Speaking at the weekly ministerial meeting on Wednesday night, he said they should work as a team to ensure the passage of the third reading of the budget on Thursday. He said they should not make any individual comments that are critical of the budget proposals. After the passage of the third reading, he said, a campaign would have to more..

Dec 13 (Island) It looks more like capitulation than compromise. Rather than downsizing Port City as a compromise, let alone scrapping it as it vowed it would in the now-forgotten 100-Day Program, govt has all but approved the restarting of the suspended project at its bloated 450+/- hectares off-shore footprint. News of the approval appeared almost simultaneously in Beijing and in Colombo. The Chinese authorities are pleased, and SL govt has spelt out the next steps in approval process. more..

Dec 13 (Island) Those who do not know Victor Ivan, former Editor of the Ravaya newspaper would learn from Prasanna Vithanage�s documentary Silence in the Courts that Ivan is an exceptional journalist. His efforts to go the proverbial extra mile to obtain justice are legendary, one would conclude, after digesting the story of two citizens who clearly belong to what Fyodor Dostoyevsky might have called The Insulted and Humiliated. As Vithanage documents, two women are raped by a judge presiding more..

Dec 13 (ST) Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa went to the office of PM Ranil Wickremesinghe in the Parliamentary complex last week for a brief chat. It soon sparked speculation that Rajapaksa held the meeting to appeal to Premier Wickremesinghe for help in the event any member of his family was implicated in the alleged murder of Sri Lankan ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen. However, Premier Wickremesinghe told more..

Dec 13 (SL) As International Human Rights Day was commemorated last Thursday, a top UN official said that there were encouraging signs that Sri Lanka will deal with human rights concerns related to the war but the new govt was not willing to go all the way. Christof Heyns, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, said that for him Sri Lanka stands out as the most defining moment more..

Dec 13 (ST) Three mega expressway projects, including one to the north through Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee, will be launched next year. Funding for the projects estimated to cost US$ 13.4 billion (Rs. 1,900 billion) will come from multiple sources including China, ADB and local avenues. The expressway to the Central Province will be the first to be started in March next year, followed by the expressway between more..

Dec 13 (CT) With some difficulty I was able to take a look at the voluminous Supplementary EIA of the CPCP. Not having the time to read the entire document, I concentrated on the executive summary. To my surprise, I found that a lot of attention has been given to perceived objections of a political nature such as how the land will be allocated between the govt and the project company to ensure that company does not more..

Dec 13 (CT) A Ransom Mafia that came into existence during Mahinda Rajapaksa's tenure in office ripped off rich business tycoons and other reputed persons. The mafia was peaking during the ethnic war and it made use of defence and security units to flourish. Some Tamil businessmen who feared losing their trade and being branded as Tigers had no second thoughts about parting with in millions to appease the mafia. more..

Dec 13 (SL) A driver of former President Rajapaksa is to be arrested in connection with the murder of former Rugby captain Wasim Thajudeen. The CCTV footage on the abduction of Wasim Thajudeen that shows the events taken place just before his murder was handed over to Colombo University to be analysed. The CID had last week informed Court that Colombo University was studying the footage and that more..

Dec 13 (CT) Govt has urged the China Communications Construction C0 (CCCC) to agree and give up its freehold claim to some 20 hectares of reclaimed land constituting part of the Colombo Port City it is entitled to under terms of the initial agreement with the former govt, and enter into a 99-year lease agreement with the Govt of SL. It is learnt that CCCC is seriously studying SL govt's offer before it responds with an expression of more..

Dec 13 (SL) Farmers are planning a march to Colombo, taking their farming tools and clad in loincloths, before the 3rd budget reading in Parliament if the govt still fails to pay attention to their grievances, despite the peaceful protests they are staging island wide. National Organiser of the All Ceylon Farmers� Federation (JVP) said govt has reduced the price of paddy and are planning on cropping the fertiliser subsidy. more..

Dec 13 (CI) For the second time in the Test, Sri Lanka's inexperienced batting line-up offered more resistance than expected, but New Zealand's persistent fast bowlers supported by the safe gloves of BJ Watling ensured the home side made strides towards victory despite a bad-weather day in Dunedin. Rain and hail halted play three times at University Oval, and at stumps Sri Lanka had seven wickets left and 296 runs to get, more..