Mar 15 (DM) The country-wide power failure on Sunday -- the second major power outage within three weeks after the new govt came to power in January last year saw the second resignation offered by a bigwig on moral grounds. CEB Chairman Anura Wijepala had announced his resignation even before the power supply was restored on Sunday night, though it was not accepted by the government. Before that, former Law and order Minister Tilak Marapana had more..

Mar 15 (DM) The multiple misdeeds, alleged crimes ranging from abductions, assaults to even murder, acts of corruption and nepotism, providing wrong and deceitful information on the economy etc. belong, as already alleged, in the right domain -- the Rajapaksa regime. These were all acts of commission. When one adds the acts of omission to this lot, the list rises nauseatingly high and the scope of investigation into them becomes excruciatingly tough. more..

Mar 15 (CT) Environmentalists and animal welfare activists who were horrified over the torture and killing of an eagle by a group of men in Galle recently have praised Habaraduwa Police for acting fast and taking into custody two of the suspects. An officer said that the two suspects were produced in Courts and remanded till 24 March and Habaraduwa Police are carrying out investigations to apprehend four more suspects. more..

Mar 15 (ST) Indiscriminate use of monosodium glutamate (MSG) by Sri Lankans in kitchens and on farmland has prompted the Health Ministry to limit MSG imports. Health Ministry said imports of MSG (commonly known as Ajinomoto) had grown over the years due to excessive use of the product in restaurants, takeaway food outlets and household kitchens. It is also now being used in large quantities as a weed killer by farmers. more..

Mar 15 (SL) The never-ending line of political recruitments to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminal Limited (CPSTL) have contributed to the inability to bring down fuel prices, JVP affiliated Petroleum Common Services Union (PCSU) alleged. According to PCSU President, Asoka Ranwala, the CPSTL management last week made 179 new recruitments which more..

Mar 15 (ITN) Deputy Minister Karunaratne Paranavithana claimed that media reports on 50,000 rupees for telephone bills and 50,000 rupees for houses of MPs are baseless and unfounded. He said that what had really been done was to limit the telephone bills of MPs to 50,000 rupees. Hitherto there had been no limits placed on telephone bills of MPs. This has been limited to 50,000 rupees to prevent wastage of funds. more..

Mar 15 (LBO) Sri Lanka Investment Summit, organized by FinanceAsia, opened at the Four Seasons Hotel in Singapore on Tuesday, well attended by international investors and local delegates. Minister Ravi Karunanayake told the audience during the morning session that the island offered better growth prospects than other regions. Trade agreements with India and China, and a possible free trade agreement with Japan, more..

Mar 15 (Island) Confusion and uncertainty reign at the Govt Press following a clash between some members of the UNP-led Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS) and workers loyal to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The JSS activists claim that the Rajapaksa loyalists had been given preferential treatment, according to sources. A senior member of the JSS said they would conduct a protest. more..

Mar 15 (DN) The main suspect in the Seya Sewamani murder trial has been sentenced to death by the Negombo High Court after being found guilty. Earlier, the announcement of the verdict of the trial of Seya Sadewmi�s murder case was fixed for 15 March, by the Negombo High Court. The Genetech Molecular Diagnostics Research Institute (GMDRI), Colombo conducted all DNA tests related to the case and they handed over more..

Mar 15 (DM) Minister Ravi Karunanayake this morning told an investment forum in Singapore that the govt would be looking at privatizing some of the non-strategic investments to cut public-debt. He also said that the govt would be listing another set of non-strategic state-owned bodies in CSE in the next three months. He pointed out that three-state owned entities�SriLankan Airlines, CPC and CEB� account for 75 to 80% of the public debt. more..

Mar 15 (Island) The Joint Opposition said that their MPs did not agree to increase the allowances of MPs recently. MP Dinesh Gunawardena said that he and the joint opposition were against of increasing allowances of MPs and there was no truth in the claim that he agreed to it at the party leaders� meeting. Media reported that UNP, SLFP, Opposition and the Joint Opposition consisting of UPFA rebels, in a rare display of unity more..

Mar 15 (DN) The heightened interest to obtain dual citizenship by Sri Lankans living abroad is a testimony on the positive political and economic development of the country, minister S.B. Navinna said speaking at the citizenship awarding ceremony today. Dispelling any fears that awarding dual citizenships is to be suspended again, he assured that the govt plans encourage Sri Lankans living abroad to return to the country and more..

Mar 15 (CT) World population is heading for a disaster due to excessive use of antibiotics. Unless preventive measures � though difficult � steps are taken immediately to contain the worldwide man made epidemic world is facing the danger of reaching a post antibiotic era soon . 50% of the antibiotics manufactured globally is mainly used in agritcultire, and human food chain entering the human body in some way via food giants in the food chain threatening to develop resistance for more..

Mar 15 (CT) Some days ago, a boy was denied access to an education on the suspicion that he had HIV/AIDS. It seemed the entire Sri Lankan rose up in protest over his plight � and over the retarded comments of the Education Minister, who tried to make a case for separating the child from his mother. And what did we do? Nothing, of course. Three people, however, carried on the fight. Kamani Jinadasa, Senany Dayaratne and Thishya Weragoda continued pushing Supreme Court more..

Mar 15 (Island) Minister Thalatha Athukorala met the South Korea�s Jeonju Island�s Human Resources Director Kim Hye Ky Eong to seek solutions to problems faced by Sri Lankan migrant workers, according to Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE). During a discussion, the HR Director Eong asked the Minister Athukorala to pay more attention to training of the Sri Lankan migrant workers. Minister Athukorala was the first Sri Lankan Minister to visit the Jeonju Island. more..

Mar 15 (CT) Yahapalanaya govt seems to be focusing more on dolling out bonanzas for the benefit of the 225 MPs, instead to the public, with the new benefit package for the MPs expected to cost the govt at least a whopping Rs. 420 million annually. Hot on the heels of a tax increase and flour price increase slapped on the public last week, the govt has decided to offer a special package to the MPs, which includes a monthly addition of Rs.175,000 for rent, telephones and an office more..

Mar 15 (DM) The CEB today announced a 7 1/2 power cut for the next two days as the electricity crisis continued. Accordingly the CEB said that the electricity will be cut at several locations in two stages for 5 1/2 hours in the morning and two hours in the night tomorrow and on Thursday. The locations where the electricity will be cut have been divided into four groups. One group will have the electricity cut from 7.00am � 12.30pm and more..

Mar 15 (DM) The FCID today examined a two-storey house currently under construction at Mihindu Mawatha in Dehiwala with a notice at the entrance saying Madam Shiranthi Wickramasinghe Rajapaksha. A source said the FCID had examined the house on a court order in connection with the ongoing investigation on CSN. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa�s son Yoshitha was arrested on January and remanded on charges of financial irregularities at the CSN. more..

Mar 15 (CT) Sirisena-Wickremesinghe regime�s policy of helping friends and family appears to have spread to the Foreign Ministry with career diplomats being overlooked in favour of loyalists and their kin. Swarna Gunaratne, sister of Hirunika Premachandra�s late father Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra has been appointed as Sri Lanka�s consul in Los Angeles, USA. She had never held a diplomatic post before or had any career training or experience in the diplomatic service. more..

Mar 15 (DM) Responding to a question raised by a journalist regarding an accident that had occurred in Mirihana where a youth had been run over by a car allegedly driven by his wife on June 29, 2014, MP Udaya Gammanpila today asked those concerned to go ahead and take action against her if she has done anything wrong. According to the extract from the Information Book of Mirihana Police Station, the youth, more..

Mar 15 (BR) Pakistan and Sri Lanka on Tuesday decided to enhance defence cooperation at a meeting held at the Ministry of Defence Production. According to a press release here, the understanding was reached during a call on of High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Maj. Gen (Retd) Jayanath Lokuketagodage to Federal Minister of Defence Production Rana Hussain. They exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and enhancing cooperation in defence production. more..

Mar 15 (Reuters) Shares edged down on Tuesday, falling for a second session amid fears of further declines due to worries over a higher budget deficit and economic growth, brokers said. The benchmark share index closed 0.15% lower at 5,970.40. Investors preferred fixed interest rate bearing assets over shares due to a rise in yields on treasury bills, which are hovering at two-year highs, and on the central bank's unexpected interest rate hike in mid-February, dealers said. more..

Mar 15 (CI) India have invited the world to their party, but with 10 victories from their last 11 games, it is their own fault if the guests are feeling a little intimidated. To say that MS Dhoni's men have sounded a warning would be underselling it. Having whitewashed Australia down under, then strutted their way to the Asian crown, they have basically asked the world: "Is there even a point in any of you turning up?" Let us at least pause and admire more..

Mar 15 (Island) A 36-year-old woman believed to be possessed by an evil spirit died in Anuradhaprua recently while an exorcist was performing a ritual. The exorcist and his assistant were taken into custody. ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said that the woman who had been suffering from epilepsy had been taken by her husband to a shrine at Katukeliyawa on March 12 to be rid of the evil spirit. The woman was identified as Dhanushika Chandraratna of Nellikulalama, Elayapttuwa. more..

Mar 15 (DN) The Colombo High Court today fixed for tomorrow (16), to deliver its order on the bail revision applications filed on behalf of Sri Lanka Cricket former Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga who had been remanded for alleged money laundering at the Carlton Sports Network (CSN). When the revision application was taken up for argument before High Court Judge M.C.B.S. Morayas, both the defence and the prosecutors made their oral submissions. more..

Mar 15 (LBO) Sri Lanka�s economy has grown 4.8% in 2015 against the 4.9% growth recorded in the previous year. GDP for the year of 2015 has reached up to 8,622,825 million rupees. GDP value reported for the year 2014 was 8,228,986 million rupees resulting a positive growth rate of 4.8% for the year 2015. However, the economic growth rate of the country for the year 2014 has been revised from 4.5 to 4.9%. more..

Mar 15 (DN) Teachers� Association of the University of Kelaniya today claimed that they have decided to refrain from academic duties until a safe and favourable situation was established in the university. The Teachers� Association of the University of Kelaniya have abstained from academic activities except for the first year undergraduates since March 14, 2015. Executive Committee Member of the Association, Anura Karunarathilake said that since one year, more..

Mar 15 (EN) Sri Lankans were offered exciting ways to cope with lengthy power cuts by getting glow-in-the-dark lingerie while generator sales too surged as the nation struggled to recover from the worst blackout in two decades. Midnightdivas shop of exotic wear capitalised on the frustrations of electricity outages by advertising a new range of lingerie that will light up in the dark. "Still having power cuts. Don�t worry. Coming soon... glow in the dark lingerie from Midnightdivas," more..

Mar 15 (CG) The International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) and the Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation (Fundaci�n de Antropolog�a Forense de Guatemala: FAFG) held a roundtable discussion in Trincomalee to analyze requirements for a systematic and effective process to account for those who are missing as a result of more than 25 years of conflict. Event will be followed by a roundtable more..

Mar 15 (EN) Iconic Developments Ltd., part of India�s Apurva Natvar Parikh property group, said it will invest 50 million US dollars to build a second high-rise apartment block with 250 units. Apartments in the new 30-storey building, designed by architect Samira Rathod Design Associates, will be sold for between 20 and 30 million rupees, a statement said. �Given the current booming real estate industry, we see a bright outlook for further development and expansion of our brand,� more..

Mar 15 (NF) Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy says that work has begun to recommence activities at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant. Secretary to the Ministry, Dr. Suren Batagoda says that they hope to commence generating electricity through all three units of the plant, within the next two days. Dr. Batagoda said that a group, including the subject minister, are inspecting the power plant at present. Meanwhile, National Water Supply and Drainage Board states that more..

Mar 15 (EUR) Today the European Commission will co-sign two new support programmes worth �38 million in total in the field of rural development and trade with Sri Lanka, as EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, arrives for a three day visit to the country. Ahead of the visit Commissioner Mimica said: �With this new support, we are boosting our longstanding relationship with Sri Lanka more..

Mar 15 (AJ) Ariyaseeli Gunaweera, known as Ari to all, is a supervising public health midwife in Sri Lanka. She is, as a result, a person of some importance. Ajith Kumarasiri certainly thinks so - when Ari sends him on an errand, he hurries to get it done, returning with a large 10cc syringe in just a few minutes. "Here, cut it from here," says public health midwife Kumudini Kumari as she shows the young father where to shear through the syringe so that the end with the needle falls away. more..

Mar 15 (DN) Islandwide power failure could have been easily averted if the govt acted according to the report submitted by Public Utilities Commission (PUC), appointed by previous Rajapaksa govt, said Former Minister Tissa Vitharana. He said the whole country suffered from the power failure on three occasions recently. He said in an effort to provide electricity soon, the CEB had entered into private sector electricity companies to purchase electricity at Rs 20 to Rs 70 per unit. more..

Mar 15 (DN) President Sirisena has taken a decision to ban importation of cigarettes and tobacco to SL 2020 onwards. As doctors we admire this decision a lot, Health Services Director General Dr. Palitha Mahipala stated. According to him, with the rapid increase of patients with NCDs, providing more and more facilities to treat these patients is similar to filling water to a tank with a hole at the bottom. There is no end for both processes. more..

Mar 15 (Xinhua) UNP held a protest here on Tuesday against the Joint Opposition which groups former president Mahinda Rajapakse. Several MPs and members of the UNP gathered at the Town Hall in Colombo and held a protest march. Hundreds of UNP supporters also took part, voicing criticism against the Joint Opposition. Joint Opposition, which consists of opposition parliamentarians loyal to Rajapakse, says it will hold a series of protests this month against united govt more..

Mar 15 (TOI) State govt should exert pressure on the Centre to stop the arrest and harassment of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan naval forces, said DMK chief M Karunanidhi said. "Writing letters to the PM alone will not stop harassment of Tamil Nadu fishermen. Ruling AIADMK has 37 MPs in the Lok Sabha, and the BJP govt at the Centre needs their support. Using this opportunity, the state govt must exert pressure on the Centre to find a solution to the issue," he said. more..

Mar 15 (PTI) Days after it received the go-ahead from Sri Lankan govt, the Chinese firm constructing the controversial USD 1.5 billion Colombo Port City Project today welcomed the decision, saying it will take prompt measures to ensure the project is completed soon. CHEC Port City Colombo said it appreciated the govt efforts in working towards a mutually beneficial solution. Project was suspended by President Sirisena more..

Mar 16 (CT) The beautiful and harmonious island in the Indian ocean, known as Ceylon at the time of independence in 1948 and renamed �Sri Lanka� in 1972 is to have another constitution soon, the fourth since independence. It is vital to know fully what happened since independence that destroyed the unity of the multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural nation depriving peace and significant national development that relegated it below other developing countries like more..