Sep 12 (DM) Rakna Araksha Lanka Chairman Victor Samaraweera and top officials of the Ratmalana Vocational Technology University are to be summoned before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRESIFAC) on Monday. PCoI Secretary Lacille De Silva said Rakna Lanka Chairman Mr. Samaraweera more..

Sep 12 (LBO) Gas found in the Mannar basin has not been included in Sri Lanka�s long-term power generation plans as discovery of the natural gas resources is still at very early stages, a CEB report says. The gas quantities have not been quantified with reasonable accuracy, report adds, even though the value of the resource would lower the cost of the CEB�s current recommended generation plan. Separate scenarios were studied introducing indigenous Natural Gas in Mannar Basin more..

Sep 12 (ST) Supun Sanjeewa Kumara would often mull over a sight he saw daily while driving past Nagoda in Kalutara -a huddle of little wattle and daub huts with only oil lamps to provide light to its inmates. Supun, who lives in Kuda Payagala, is an electrician with a bent for inventing things. After discussing with his wife, Dilini Indika, friends Pritiraj, Jeewaka, Patty Malli and others, the young electrician was able to create ten circuits to generate solar power electricity, which he donated more..

Sep 12 (ENS) TNA will be sending a lawyers� team to the coming session of the UNHRC in Geneva at which the UN Human Rights High Commissioner�s report on war crimes allegedly committed in Sri Lanka is to be presented and acted upon. TNA leader Mavai Senathirajah said that the team will be headed by Supreme Court Senior Counsel, M.A.Sumanthiran, who is also a fellow MP from Jaffna. more..

Sep 12 (EN) Sri Lanka's Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts are bringing together domestic and international experts to showcase emerging trends in international travel which can help shape the future of the industry in Sri Lanka, officials said. "Our view is that we cannot work in insolation," Ajit Gunewardene, Deputy of Chairman of Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts, which is the biggest hotel chain in the country. "We cannot work in a silo. We believe that the direction that more..

Sep 12 (ST) More than 40 persons swindled by foreigners who sold counterfeit US$ 1 million currency notes, have complained to the CID during the past one month, a senior Police officer said, The group running the scam are from African countries. They are in Sri Lanka on visit visas. Their target group comprises mostly businessmen in the north and east and outstation towns, police investigations reveal. �The visiting foreigners, helped by a group of locals, usually visit the outstations and more..

Sep 12 (EN) The UNHRC has finalised its war crimes report formally ending international investigation against Sri Lanka, official sources said today. The UN authorities shared two water-marked copies of the final report with the government of Sri Lanka on Friday on the eve of Minister Mangala Samaraweera�s visit to Geneva for the opening of the UNHRC sessions. "Govt has about five days to respond to the report," more..

Sep 12 (DN) Colombo Chief Magistrate released the son of former Minister Joseph Michael Perera on bail. Former minister�s son Anton Perera was remanded on a charge of alleged fraud of Rs. 9.3 million by obtaining commodities from the Sri Lanka Cooperative Marketing Federation (MARKFED). The magistrate ordered bail after the suspect agreed to pay Rs. 5 million for the items purchased from MARKFED. He was ordered Rs. 10,000 cash bail with 2 personal sureties of Rs. 500,000 each. more..

Sep 12 (DN) The CID yesterday informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya that Shashi Weerawansa, wife of UPFA MP and former Minister Wimal Weerawansa had obtained a diplomatic passport by tendering fraudulent information to the Department of Immigration and Emigration. This has been proved during investigations carried out into this incident. Although the false identity cards, records and all other information relating to this incident had been submitted to more..

Sep 12 (DM) Speaker Karu Jayasuriya will meet the leaders of the political parties aligned with the UPFA to take a final decision on their requests for recognition as separate political parties in Parliament, officials said yesterday. The official said the discussions would also include their participation in the parliamentary business committee meetings and the assignment of seats in the front row of the Chamber. more..

Sep 12 (DM) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that investigations into allegations of corruption and fraud against ministers and MPs of the Rajapaksa regime would not be stopped despite some of them being appointed ministers of the present govt. Responding to a question raised by MPs of the UNFGG at a workshop held for the new MPs on Thursday at the Parliamentary Complex Mr. Wickremesinghe had said that those who had plundered the wealth of the people would not more..

Sep 12 (AM) Former Minister Rosy Senanayake was appointed as the Prime Minister's Spokesperson and the Deputy Head of the Prime Minister's Office. Senanayake contested the recent General Election from Colombo District but failed to enter the Parliament. She ended up at the 12th place in the UNP preferential votes list. Only 11 UNP candidates were elected from the district. Senanayake requested a recount, alleging that an error in counting could have taken place. more..

Sep 12 (DM) Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption as Abuse of Power, State Resources, and Privileges (PRECIFAC) had received 900 complaints with regard to frauds and acts of corruption while 250 of them had been forwarded to the investigation unit for reference. 50 complaints out of the 250, which had been referred to commission�s investigation unit, more..

Sep 12 (CT) Director of National Programme for Tuberculosis Control and Chest Diseases (NPTCCD) Dr. Gamini Seneviratne said there are about 4,000 tuberculosis (TB) patients in the island. They have not been reported to NPTCCD and steps will be taken to conduct special clinics for them. There are 9,000-10,000 TB patients in the island and this figure is 14,000 as recorded by the WHO. He said the programme will be implemented targeting undiscovered TB patients more..

Sep 12 (CT) Three accused who were indicted following the acid attack on the former Ayurvedic Commissioner of the North Central Province, have been summoned to appear in the Anuradhapura High Court on 11 November. The notices were issued on an Ayurvedic practitioner, a fisherman and an ex-soldier when the case was taken up for hearing before the High Court Judge Dhammika Ganepola, police sources said. Three accused were arrested over the incident on 28 Feb 2013. more..

Sep 12 (DN) The narcotic drugs racket should be totally eradicated in the interests of the country's development and welfare. Drug addiction restricted the lifespan of people involved to 50 to 55 years causing an unnatural death, said the Most Ven. Galagama Aththadassi Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter. The prelate was delivering an anusasana when Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunga called on him more..

Sep 13 (SO) One of the most capable ever govt delegations is now in Geneva, Switzerland, while the country's top governmental leader, Premier Ranil Wickemesinghe visits Delhi this week. The delegation, led by Minister Mangala Samaraweera, is in Geneva to represent Sri Lanka at a crucial meeting of the UNHRC. This Council session will not only receive a report compiled by the UN on alleged human rights violations that were perpetrated by both sides in the final stages of the war, more..

Sep 13 (SL) The gigantic number of cabinet, state and deputy ministers keeps mounting with such frequency that it is quite a difficult task to keep pace with the expansion. At the time of writing the collective number is nearing a century. With nine provincial councils comprising chief ministers and ministers for various subjects, Sri Lanka could possibly claim a place in the Guinness Book of Records for the number of ministers to look after the interests of only 20 million people. more..

Sep 13 (SO) Minister of Parliamentary Reforms and Media, Gayantha Karunathilaka deeming media freedom is one of the achievements of the Jan 8 silent revolution said, the Sword of Damocles was no longer hanging over the head of media men. Today they can express their views without hindrance, he said. Q: Are you pleased that you got the same, yet challenging portfolio ? A: I am happy that I have been more..

Sep 13 (Island) Every nation gets the govt is deserves, Joseph de Maistre (1753-1821), the oft-quoted French lawyer, diplomat writer and philosopher said over two centuries ago. His words would surely have resonated in the minds of thinking Lankans with last week�s appointment of non-cabinet rank ministers of state and deputy ministers. "Do we deserve this? Is this what we voted for?" would surely have been questions that arose. The stomachs of those who exulted to see more..

Sep 13 (CT) The accident which occurred at Minuwangoda last week where a Defender jeep carrying Presidential Security Division (PSD) personnel collided with two buses killing five PSD men and wounding five others is an eye opener to all VVIPs and VIPs in this country. It is no secret that these jeeps leading the convoy of those VVIPs and VIPs are driven at excessive speed violating all road rules. The Police turn a blind eye on these offenders fearing their jobs. more..

Sep 13 (SL) Despite securing a key position in parliament as the opposition, the TNA is seen going through a rough patch trying to get their act together. However, PLOTE leader and TNA MP Dharmalingam Siddharthan said that there is no significant difference of opinion within the TNA and all four parties of the TNA are in support of an international inquiry. However, he admitted that all four parties of TNA coalition have not yet more..

Sep 13 (ST) Irreversible excellence was how then Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar referred to Sri Lanka�s relations with India. Centuries old ties between the two neighbours cemented by the links to Gautama Buddha and Buddhism have had its up and downs in more recent years, none so devastatingly severe than India�s active involvement from the highest levels of its Govt, in the bloody northern separatist insurgency that was unleashed in this island nation. more..

Sep 13 (NS) Nimal Lanza and Anura Yapa are both members of the spanking new Cabinet which is so large, it can only be convened at the Nelum Pokuna. But, Keheliya Rambukwella, Dullas Alahaperuma and Shashindra Rajapaksa have been brought before the Presidential Commission on financial crimes. Join them, and yesterday�s scum transmogrifies into today�s poster boys. But dare oppose them, and you�ve bought your ticket to hell. This is cynical slash and burn politics that more..

Sep 13 (Island) Employees of Hayleys PLC, one of the country�s strongest business conglomerates, and its subsidiaries have received a share windfall worth what some analysts estimate would top a billion rupees following the dissolution of its Employees� Share Trust set up over 10 years ago when the company feared a hostile takeover. The trust owning 6.85 million ordinary shares or 9.14% of the company was created in a bid to fight a takeover bid by the Carsons Group. more..

Sep 13 (SO) Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe and Eastern Province Governor Austin Fernando left for Geneva on Friday night to engage in crucial lobbying and advocacy prior to the UNHRC session that begins tomorrow. In contrast to the small, high capacity team that went on Friday for this year�s sessions, in 2012, former President Rajapaksa�s govt sent a delegation of 71 members to Geneva ahead of that year�s UNHRC more..

Sep 13 (SL) Newly appointed Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Harsha De Silva expressed the strong commitment of the new govt to its non-aligned policy promoting friendship towards all and enmity towards none. He stressed on the need to establishing strong economic diplomacy with both the West and the East targeting to attract investments and to expand trade and tourism. more..

Sep 13 (CT) Note: Caveat lector, Dear reader, Contains spoof, sarcasm, satire and an onion curry (Oh oh, and some pop culture references too). 15th Cabinet of the incumbent central govt under the leadership of President Sirisena is second only to his predecessor, Mahinda Rajapaksa's Cabinet. Cabinet under President Sirisena consists of the President, the PM Ranil Wickremesinghe and 48 ministers from all sorts of parties, varying from the SLFP, UNP to Up-Country People's Front, more..

Sep 13 (SL) SLFP led by President Sirisena and the UNP led by PM Wickremesinghe despite many hiccups have managed to create a new political culture in the country. The formation of a national govt and the granting of the Opposition Leadership to the TNA amidst the heavy polarisation of the SL society by the former Mahinda Rajapaksa regime on religious and ethnic grounds. Despite forming a new political culture, both the SLFP and the UNP are yet to reach a final consensus on more..

Sep 13 (ST) My dear Maithri, I thought I must write to you because you must be quite a relaxed man these days having sworn in dozens of ministers last week. With so many Cabinet ministers, deputy ministers and state ministers at your disposal, surely you should be able to sit back and relax, allowing them to run the country? Even then, Maithri, there are a few issues that are quite confusing to us. more..

Sep 13 (SO) With off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal becoming the second bowler inside one year to be tested by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for a suspect action, Sri Lanka cricket has now lined up five other spinners ahead of the West Indies tour starting next month. The five bowlers lined up for selection according to spin bowling coach and former Test player Piyal Wijetunga are Dilruwan Perera, Ajantha Mendis, Seekuge Prasanna, Akila Dhananjaya and Jeffrey Vandersay. more..

Sep 13 (ST) Like many other facts in life and politics, the electricity industry too has turned a full circle. After 20 years of indecision, two major power plants were completed: Norochcholai coal-fired power plant was completed in 2014 and the Upper Kotmale power plant in 2013. The much awaited Sampur power plant, originally scheduled to produce electricity from 2016, subsequently re-scheduled for 2018, has not even commenced construction. A large power plant requires five years to build, more..

Sep 13 (ST) The Board of Investment (BOI) is to permit foreign firms to invest in BOI companies, a move which wasn�t encouraged earlier. In another move, the agency is getting tough with politicians and local govt officials demanding bribes to approve investments in the provinces. �Earlier (due to Exchange Control) foreign firms weren�t allowed or encouraged to invest in equity (shares) in BOI firms as they were be required to more..

Sep 13 (SO) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) seems to be engulfed in a period of soul-searching following the retirement of legends Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara. Skipper Angelo Mathews may be leading boldly from the front to ensure the transition is smooth but even he needs a guiding influence to steady the ship and chart a new course. It may be argued that a coach is only as good as the team though they become ideal scapegoats when the going gets tough. more..

Sep 13 (CT) St Joseph's College, Maradana (337 points) and Mahamaya College, Kandy (368 points) emerged boys' and girls' overall champions of the 41st Swimming Age Group Nationals Championship which concluded at the Sugathadasa Stadium. Royal College Colombo (276) bagged the boys' runner-up position with an outstanding lead over the third placed Lyceum College Wattala (170). Visakha College, Colombo (258) and Museaus College bagged girls 2nd and 3rd place respectively. more..

Sep 13 (Island) Sri Lanka Cricket is on the lookout to replace Head Coach Marvan Atapattu. The names of Chandika Haturusinghe and Graham Ford have emerged as possible replacements, but SLC could be extending their search beyond these two names. The board has already experienced how not to select a new coach. When they were looking for a replacement for Graham Ford last year, more..

Sep 13 (CG) The TNA and the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) will be attending a discussion in Switzerland on Sri Lanka next week. The discussion, organized by the KOFF Centre for Peacebuilding, is taking place as the UNHRC meets in Geneva with Sri Lanka also on the agenda. Titled The Current Context in Sri Lanka: Opportunities & Challenges Ahead, discussion in Bern will see participation of TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran, GTF spokesman Suren Surenthiran & Asanga Welikala, more..

Sep 13 (SL) At a meeting held last Thursday, leaders of the constituent parties of the United National Front for Good Governance (UNFGG) decided to officially register the party. The Leader of the TPA and newly appointed Minister of National Dialogue Mano Ganesan said that the leaders of the coalition parties of the UNFGG including PM Ranil Wickremesinghe decided to officially register the UNFGG at a meeting held last Thursday with the party leaders of the UNFGG. more..

Sep 13 (ST) The soon-to-be imposed billion rupee one-off special tax recommended in the 2015 interim budget on four existing casinos could drive these casinos to the ground. However the new govt�s proposed move to restrict casinos only for foreigners and ban locals from entry as announced by new Tourism Minister John Amaratunge will not affect the business badly as locals represent just 4% of the clientele, more..