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Home » NewsHavoc in South as storm kills six fishermen; 16 missing
Angry fisherfolk say Met Dept. warning came too late Strong winds that lashed several areas off the west coast and incessant rains left a trail of havoc, death and destruction yesterday. The worst hit were the fishermen out at sea. At least six were killed as their boats were swept away by 80-kmph winds at [...]
Move to check religious, racial enmity
Vasu proposes that PTA provision be incorporated in Penal Code National Languages Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara wants the Government to incorporate in the Penal Code a provision in the Prevention of Terrorism Act that deals with offences relating to religious and racial disharmony. He has told his ministerial colleagues that the move is intended to “prevent, [...]
France says no evidence at all of Ekneligoda living there
France said yesterday there was “no evidence at all” to suggest that journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, who disappeared in Sri Lanka three years ago, was living in that country. “We have no official confirmation whatsoever,” a spokesperson for the French Embassy in Colombo said. The UPFA’s Puttalam District Parliamentarian Arundika Fernando told Parliament on Wednesday that [...]
NE local council heads also get duty-free vehicle permits
Another group of mayors, deputy mayors, chairmen and vice chairmen of local authorities, this time from the North and East, will soon receive permits to import duty-free vehicles. If they do not wish to import, they will be offered the privilege of buying locally assembled vehicles on concessionary terms. The permits are being issued in [...]
Row over commercial licences for SLAF pilots
The Sri Lanka Air Force has requested the Civil Aviation Authority to exempt its pilots from written knowledge exams when granting commercial licences —a departure from internationally-accepted standards. Informed industry sources said the Air Force’s insistence on this matter had placed the CAA in a quandary. “We hear that letters have gone up and down,” [...]
Port fire: Legal action against importer of chemical
Action is to be filed against the company which imported a hazardous chemical without properly declaring it, resulting in last week’s fire at the Colombo Port on May 24, Ports and Highways Deputy Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena told the Sunday Times. He said the chemical which was to be stored with other hazardous cargo was stored [...]
GK depositors want SC Action Plan reconsidered
A group of Golden Key depositors say they want the Plan of Action that has been prepared by the Central Bank, on the directive of the Supreme Court, to reimburse their deposits, to be reconsidered, as it would favour some depositors, while the majority would lose out if the plan is implemented. They have written [...]
Kelaniya Uni attack: Police say nobody arrested yet, IUSF says Govt. behind it
Police are yet to identify those responsible for the attack on the students at the Science Faculty hostel of the Kelaniya University on Thursday night. Six students were admitted to the Kiribathgoda and Ragama hospitals following the assault. Peliyagoda police carrying out investigations said that they had not identified any attackers nor arrested anyone responsible [...]
Flood of complaints of official apathy
Heavy rains in the past two weeks have affected many people around Wellampitiya, Ambatale and Kolonnawa. The residents in these areas complain that the water retention areas have been illegally filled resulting in flood waters. When the Sunday Times visited affected areas in the Colombo District the common complaint was there was little point complaining [...]
Strong winds, rain bring down trees, power lines disrupting road traffic, train services
Strong winds and rain caused damage to more than 1,400 houses in various parts of the country, especially in the coastal areas of the Western and Southern Provinces. The Kalutara and Galle districts were the worst affected with damage also reported in the Matara and Colombo Districts. In the Kalutara district more than 600 houses [...]
Lanka yet to sign UN Treaty on arms trade
Sri Lanka is yet to decide on signing a landmark UN Treaty regulating the arms trade, aimed at stemming the illicit trade in weapons. Foreign Secretary Karunatillake Amunugama told the Sunday Times that Sri Lanka is still studying the pros and cons of the Treaty. The Treaty was approved on April 2 by the U.N. [...]
Displaced voters registration issue now goes to House consultative committee
Govt. backtracks on decision to pass Bill as urgent legislation The Government has done a turnabout in its efforts to push through Parliament urgent legislation to allow for the registration of displaced voters prior to the upcoming elections to the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) and has instead decided to refer the Bill to a Consultative [...]
Toxic heavy metal in rice: Lanka second in 12 country list
Suspected cadmium caused CKDu now spreading to South? Sri Lanka comes in second, just behind Bangladesh, for having the highest levels of the toxic heavy metal cadmium in rice, in a study of 12 countries across the world, with both countries also having heavy intakes of rice by the people. This latest study follows close [...]
Now they are getting away with moonstones
As the mass plunder of ancient artefacts continues unabated, authorities are at a loss to curb the epidemic. Robbers have been known to crack open moonstones, or carved temple steps, in their quest for ancient treasure. But it takes greater planning, resources and audacity to make off with a complete ‘sandakadapahana’, as a group of [...]
More dengue victims: Staff shortage, ignorance of people, poor garbage management to blame
No one is responsible or accountable while some people are ignorant of the deadly pest’s breeding habits All talk at top level meetings but no action due to a severe dearth of staff and poor garbage management at ground level — this is the malaise gripping the prevention programme, as dengue continues to claim more [...]
Determined monks raid illicit slaughterhouse
Law looked the other way for 12 years but police now claim initiative An illegal slaughterhouse that operated for 12 years close to Colombo despite continued protests to local police has been shut down following a raid by Buddhist monks. Monks from the Nandagiri Viharaya in Nathuduwa, Kelaniya, claimed the slaughterhouse, in Enderamulla, Wattala had [...]
UPFA’s LG politicos on a lawless spree and counting
Allegations of assault, rape and murder abound as the powers that be run amok with impunity The number of local government politicians breaking the law is rapidly increasing, with most of them belonging to the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA). Last week alone, five incidents involving Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) politicians—four from the UPFA and [...]
Slain businessman allegedly betrayed by trusted friend to cover up missing millions
Guardians of law caught in murder dragnet | Body dumped in notorious Dompe ‘killing field’ The police, the guardians of the law, are under investigation by their own officers over the murder of a Colombo businessman. After the arrest of a Sub Inspector and three police constables the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) summoned Vass Gunawardena, Deputy [...]
Bitter truth of imported fruits
Storage under fluctuating temperatures for long periods promotes fungi growth on fruits which is the commonest form of contamination Are all the luscious fruits imported into Sri Lanka including apples, grapes and oranges fit for human consumption? Health officials say a firm “NO.” According to them, some carry bacteria or other toxic chemicals and warn [...]
You can now travel with a ‘Touch Travel Pass’
Pre paid cards are to be issued via phone companies to pay for bus fare when travelling around the country. The “Touch Travel Pass” was introduced after the Private Bus Owner’s Association made the proposal to the National Transportation Commission. The machines were brought from China with a two year guarantee. The machines are currently [...]
6 companies vie for multimillion rupee oil pipeline project
Five international companies have been short listed for a multimillion rupee project to lay pipelines from the Colombo harbour to Kolonnawa, Ceylon Petroleum Storage Ltd (CPSTL)Chairman M.R. W. de Soysa told the Sunday Times yesterday. Three Chinese companies, two from the US and an Indian company are those who have been short-listed for the 40 [...]
Uni students to appeal abroad over suspensions
The Inter-University Student Federation (IUSF) says it will take its protest against the suspension of five students of Sabaragamuwa University to international forums. Higher Education Ministry Secretary Dr. Sunil Jayantha Nawarathne said the suspensions – for indiscipline and for causing a public disturbance by taking student protests to the streets – would continue for eight [...]
A mobile hazard
Despite numerous laws regarding the usage of mobile phones when travelling, both pedestrians and drivers continue to use mobile phones when they drive or walk on roads. Police say this is becoming an increasing problem. “When people use mobile phones while driving or walking on the road, they lose concentration. That is why accidents happen. [...]
US travel advisory to SL warns females against sexual attacks
The US State Department’s latest travel advisory warns that foreign women should exercise vigilance in Sri Lanka, due to an upswing in sexual attacks against female visitors in tourist areas. Updated on May 6, 2013, it states that travellers, especially women, should consider travelling with other people when possible. “Western women continue to report incidents [...]
Case against Homagama Judge: Further report from Bribery Commission tomorrow
Calls made from suspects’ phones to be obtained The Bribery Commission will tomorrow file a further report before the Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya in connection over the arrest of the Homagama District Judge Sunil Abeysinghe and his Security Officer Police Constable Mahinda Kithsiri. They have been remanded until tomorrow. The Bribery Commission officials arrested [...]
