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Hell near well: Others watched as woman was raped
A resident living down Pasal Mawatha at Wijerama close to the Sri Jaywardenapura University was alerted by the cries of a woman on Wednesday night. The cries came from the area of a public well. Looking out, he noticed two three-wheelers parked near the well which had two bathing sections –one for men and the [...]
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Game Over, Davy Jones: Most state websites hacked
By Nadia Fazlulhaq The websites of the Board of Investment, the Nelum Pokuna Theatre and Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage were the latest to be hacked in a series of incidents of hacking of government and private websites in the recent weeks. A hacker using the online nickname ‘Davy Jones’ claimed he had accessed the database [...]
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Moonstone to be brought home?
Sri Lanka’s High Commission in Britain has been requested to collect data on the ancient sandakada pahana (moonstone) that is to be auctioned in London in April as a prelude to a possible request for it to be returned “home”. The High Commission has been requested to collect all information and photographs of this valuable [...]
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Temporary structures for event no harm to environment: CCD
Serious concerns of nature activists that large amounts of soil were dumped on the Trincomalee beach to build the platform for the Independence Day celebrations on February 4 were refuted by many high-ranking officials on Thursday. This is a temporary structure and there has been no harm to the environment, said Coast Conservation Department (CCD) [...]
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Trincomalee spruced up for Independence Day celebrations
On February 4, the nation will be focusing its attention on Trincomalee, the venue for Sri Lanka’s 65th Independence Day celebrations. “A glorious motherland, a flourishing tomorrow” will be the theme of the celebrations. This is only the second time in 65 years that the main Independence Day observances are being held in the east [...]
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Rs. 15 b for mega sports project in Hambantota
Lanka to host Asian Youth Games in 2017 The Government will spend Rs. 15 billion to turn Hambantota into a “sports city” and make it the venue for an Asian youth sports festival in 2017. Ministers at their weekly cabinet meeting on Thursday approved a cabinet memorandum submitted by Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage in this regard. [...]
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Govt. withdraws funds from TNA councils
By Chris Kamalendran The Government has withdrawn more than Rs 560 million allocated for development work to Northern Province local councils controlled by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). The move comes in a year during which Northern Provincial Council elections will be held as pledged by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The funds were meant for rural roads, [...]
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TNA MP’s Sec: I was forced to watch porn while being videoed
TID raid on Tamil National Alliance office in Kilinochchi By Chris Kamalendran A Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Member of Parliament has called on the Inspector General of Police to conduct an impartial probe on a raid carried out on his office in Kilinochchi by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID), where they claim to have recovered [...]
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Garment industry giving way!
As factories close down and people lose livelihoods, the questions that arise are is the industry feeling the effects of losing (GSP+) concessions, is it inefficient management of factories or the lack of diversification of markets and products? Charundi Panagoda gets the views of different stakeholders in the industry The garment industry is in crisis [...]
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Bridging gaps in surgical care his vision says Prof. Fernando
Induction of Sri Lanka College of Surgeons President By Kumudini Hettiarachchi Equitable surgical care for all patients, be it in Colombo or the periphery, is the vision of the newly-inducted Sri Lanka College of Surgeons President Prof. Ranil Fernando. Such equitable surgical care will be based on the “solid foundation” of Postgraduate Surgical Education and [...]
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C’wealth chief coming for talks as Canada pushes for action
By Namini Wijedasa Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma will arrive here on February 10 amidst continuing Canadian efforts to convince the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) to formally examine recent events in Sri Lanka. “He is coming on a routine visit to discuss arrangements for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) due to be held [...]
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Three drown in Kalutara sea
Three people drowned at sea in Kalamulla, Kalutara after getting caught in a current, yesterday, police said. The victims U.P. Gimhan(20), D.Supun (8) and Karunaratne Fonseka(48) from Piliyandala were a part of a group of 15, who were on a family trip to Kalutara. Two others were rescued by fishermen in the area.
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Badulla MP’s bones broken
By J. A. L. Jayasinghe UPFA Badulla district parliamentarian Thenuka Vidanagamage, 40, is to undergo surgery at the Kandy Teaching Hospital for a fractured elbow. Mr. Vidanagamage was admitted to the hospital at 12.30 am on Saturday by fellow Kandy district parliamentarian, Dilum Amunugama. The surgery will be performed under the supervision of consultant surgeon [...]
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Aussie rights group voice concern over death threats to lawyers
An Australian human rights group has expressed serious concern over death threats to lawyers and human rights activists who opposed the impeachment of Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake and called on the Government to ensure their safety. “People for Human Rights and Equality calls upon the Sri Lankan Government to act immediately to ensure the safety [...]
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Varsity hopefuls from 2012 A/L batch face uncertain future
By Kumudini Hettiarachchi and Shaveen Jeewandara Has the University Grants Commission (UGC) made a mess of admissions to universities from the 2011 Advanced Level batch of students without considering the life and death consequences of its decision? Is it also attempting to surreptitiously foist the same fate on the 2012 A/L batch? These are the [...]
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Buddhism the bridge: A message on India Republic Day
An international epic, Sri Siddhartha Gautama’, a Sinhala film based on the life of the Lord Buddha had its premiere at the Liberty and several other cinemas on Friday. Picture shows Indian actor Gagan Malik who plays the role of Prince Siddhartha and actress Anchal Singh who plays the role of the prince’s wife Yasodhara [...]
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Bauddha Vivahaya
Dhanawardana Guruge’s ‘Bauddha Vivahaya’, a book that explains traditions and rituals related to a Buddhist wedding and a website on the same topic were launched recently at the Nature Park in Ja-ela. A couple were married at the event presided over by the Mahanayake of the Amarapura Nikaya, Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawansa Thera. The Anunayake [...]
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Supreme Court refers AG’s application to “Hon. CJ”
Legality of impeachment process of Dr Shirani Bandaranayake The Attorney General’s application calling for a fuller Bench to review the Supreme Court’s earlier determination on the legality of the impeachment process of Chief Justice (CJ) Shirani Bandaranayake, on three fundamental rights petitions, was referred to the “Hon CJ” by the Supreme Court’s three-member Bench, according [...]
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US re-imposes sanctions on fleeing Iranian ship
The US Treasury, which had waived sanctions on the Iranian ship M.V. Amina to allow it to be sold and for a German bank to collect the proceeds, has revoked the licence after the vessel broke arrest in Sri Lanka. “The M.V. Amina IMO 9305192, formerly known as the Shere, was subject to sanctions as [...]
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Kachcheri fire report out soon
The special three-member committee appointed to access the damage caused by the fire that broke out at the Colombo District Secretariat (DS) (Colombo Kachcheri) last November is due to submit its report next week. Public Administration and Homes Affairs Ministry Secretary P.B.Abeykoon said the three members, all attached to the Ministry are presently inquiring into [...]
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Tourist drivers threaten to strike
By Sonja Candappa Tourist drivers threaten to go on strike if their demand for an increase in allowances and charges is further ignored.“A strike may be our only solution,” said Srilal Munasinghe, president of the Chauffeur Tourist Guides Lecturers Association (CTGLA). The association is demanding a Rs. 10 increase per kilometer charge, as well as [...]
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Mango under the microscope
Researchers to discuss progress in improving its quality and preservation By Kumudini Hettiarachchi and Shaveen Jeewandara The luscious but humble mango found in many a home garden will be the centre of attention as three scientific research teams from different parts of the world gather in Colombo tomorrow. With the mango at the centre, the [...]
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Pigeon Island national park status in the balance
By Malaka Rodrigo Pigeon Island is one of the two marine national parks of Sri Lanka with some of the best remaining coral reefs of the country, is under threat with moves to strip its National Park status citing it as a hindrance for development, environmentalists claimed. A proposal to de-list Pigeon Island has already [...]
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Quacks a necessary evil outnumber registered GPs
Time-consuming State hospitals, costly private hospitals drive the poor to these unscrupulous individuals on whom drug companies dump their unregistered drugs By Nadia Fazlulhaq Doctors are bound by an oath to treat the sick and save lives, but the increase in the number of phony doctors, better known as quacks, are making more people ill [...]
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Our support for local NGOs is ‘quite transparent’: U.S. envoy Michele Sison
U.S. will voice its concern for transparency, good governance, rule of law and reconciliation through accountability per se the LLRC By Namini Wijedasa The United States’ support for non-governmental organisations (NGO) in Sri Lanka is “quite transparent”, said U.S .Ambassador Michele Sison last week, responding to allegations that NGOs funded by Western governments were conspiring [...]
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Unscrupulous traders and the COL
Story and pix by Nilan Maligaspe. Consumers who opt for cheaper items in the light of rising prices are falling prey to unscrupulous traders Recently the Weights and Measures Department, in a special raid took legal action against 27 traders selling grapes using doctored scales. Sunil Gamage, who was shopping said there were a number [...]
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Mercury watchers issue health warning
The heavy metal that carries heavy health risks is under close scrutiny, writes Malaka Rodrigo Mercury is also found in household equipment and instruments, including thermometers and energy saving CFL bulbs. After use, these materials should be disposed of in a responsible way so that their mercury content does not leak into the environment.” Watch [...]
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Walls come tumbling down as CMC bulldozes its way through in Kollupitiya
Residents cry foul, say parapet walls pulled down; officials say people informed in advance, only walls blocking linking of Galle Road to Marine Drive brought down Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) workers, backed by police, this week used bulldozers and broke down parapet walls in lanes on the seaside in Kollupitiya, amidst claims by residents that [...]
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Confiscated tortoises were ‘pets’, says Chinese restaurant owner
By Malaka Rodrigo The 14 tortoises seized during a Police raid on a Chinese restaurant in Thimbirigasyaya, Colombo, have been handed over to the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens until the investigation is completed. The raid followed a complaint that cooked tortoise flesh was being served to diners. The restaurant owner, a Chinese national, was arrested and [...]
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Hotel managers arrested over ‘Nirvana style’ dinner event
No Buddha statue,no association to Buddhism, says management Two managers of a five-star hotel in Moragalla, Beruwala have been remanded over organising a theme night with a ‘Nirvana style’ dinner at what was described as the ‘cozy Buddha Bar lounge’ meant for a group of French tourists. The arrests were made after members of the [...]
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Rains come down, veggie prices go up
By Sonja Candappa Vegetable prices are likely to remain high despite a marginal drop the past week as the heavy rains destroyed vast extents of crop in several parts of the country. Farmers in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Matale were the most affected with their harvest being drowned in flash floods caused by the rains. Paddy [...]
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Hygiene comes last at eateries islandwide
Health authorities find food cooked in appalling conditions in Colombo, Kandy and Jaffna, writes Mirudhula Thambiah Polluted water, contaminated food and a general lack of hygiene are nationwide issues. Food handlers in general are indifferent to the wellbeing of consumers – and even themselves. In Kandy, poor food hygiene continues to be a problem, although [...]
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President Rajapaksa: The prisoner of Latimer House
In this exclusive article to the Sunday Times, Opposition and UNP leader Ranil Wickeremesinghe insists that adherence to Commonwealth principles and core values is important to avoid being labelled a pariah state by the international community. ”It is time for President Rajapaksa and his government to think of the country and its people: not only [...]
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CEB seeks hike in electricity rates
By Damith Wickremasekara The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is to propose a tariff increase on electricity to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka shortly, the board chairman, Wimaladharma Abeywickrema, said. This was in the wake of a decision of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) to increase the price of furnace oil used for thermal power [...]
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5,000 Lankan fishermen to stage mid-sea protest
By Chris Kamalendran More than 5,000 fishermen will stage a mid-sea protest against Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters, Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Development Minister Douglas Devananda said yesterday. He told the Sunday Times the protest would take place when the annual feast of St. Anthony was celebrated in the church on the [...]
