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Northern fishermen demand damages from India after mid-sea clash

Sri Lanka’s northern fishermen are to demand compensation from India for damages allegedly caused by Indian fishermen to their fishing boats in a mid-sea clash off the northern seas on Thursday, a fishermen federation leader said yesterday. The demand would be placed at a meeting tomorrow with India’s Consular General in Jaffna. The northern fishermen claimed [...]

Govt. cancels fishing licences of eight Chinese companies

The Government has cancelled fishing licences given to eight Chinese companies to fish in international waters under the Sri Lankan flag, after they were found to have violated the agreements, Fisheries Minister Joseph Michael Perera said yesterday. ”The main reason was that they have violated the terms and conditions we have agreed upon in a Memorandum [...]

Want to buy a vehicle: Details on your mobile phone

The public from Tuesday will be able to get full details of registered motor vehicles via their mobile phones or by visiting a website under a new facility to be provided by the Motor Traffic Department. Motor Traffic Commissioner General S.H. Harischandra said the facility would be useful for those planning to buy a vehicle and [...]

Sushma here on Friday

India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will arrive in Colombo on Friday to set the stage for the visit to Sri Lanka by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 13. During her two-day stay, Ms. Swaraj will meet Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to arrive here [...]

Illegal dual citizenships to be revoked

Any dual citizenship awarded without fulfilling the stipulated criteria will be cancelled, Public Order Minister John Amaratunga warned yesterday. More than 2,000 dual citizenships awarded during the time when the former Government suspended the programme pending policy changes would be reviewed case by case to find out whether the proper process had been followed, he [...]

Record abuse of Lanka’s diplomatic passports

A record number of nearly 2,000 diplomatic passports were issued by the previous administration to everyone from presidential advisers, clergy and doctors and to ministers, deputy ministers, coordinating secretaries and boundless numbers of children. In most other countries, diplomatic passports are issued under strict guidelines to limited categories of senior State employees. The latest list [...]

Rural lad with a childhood passion for animals turns researcher on jumbos

Two researchers in a jeep in the dead of night in the jungles of Uda Walawe – one is fast asleep and snoring loudly, but the other is awake, peering into the darkness. Suddenly there looms a darker-than-the-night shape, very close to their vehicle. Closer it comes, 50m away but drawing still closer. Bleary-eyed Ashoka [...]

Unmarked vehicles, un-stressed traffic police key to preventing road deaths

Escalating road accidents could be stemmed by introducing shifts for overworked traffic police, deploying mobile units using unmarked cars and motorbikes and creating public awareness of quick action when hit-and-run accidents occur, senior police expert urge. In less than 10 years, more than 20,000 people have been killed on Lanka’s roads. Last week, two accidents [...]

Mounting cases set off rat fever alarm in Sri Lanka

With 614 cases of rat fever reported, health officials are warning of a surge in Anuradhapura, Kalutara, Galle, Kurunegala and Moneragala, where paddy farmers are at risk of contracting the bacterial disease. Cases are also being reported from the Ratnapura gem mines. The highest outbreak, 71 cases, is in Anuradhapura, Health Ministry Consultant Epidemiologist Dr. [...]

Voters, candidates dejected as polls for Northern Councils delayed for third time

Polls for two local councils in Mullaitivu District have been postponed for the third time leaving candidates and voters dejected. The Supreme Court on Friday issued a stay order not to hold the elections for Maritime Pattu and Puthukkudiyirippu local councils in the Mullaitivu District having considered the two human rights petitions appealing against the [...]

Polls Chief moots Media Regulatory Commission to monitor political propaganda

Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said it would be useful to establish a Media Regulatory Commission to standardise State and private media and prevent political parties from conducting propaganda campaigns before and after elections. Mr Deshapriya was speaking at a meeting organised by Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) at the BMICH on Wednesday, to discuss Electoral [...]

Dengue in Sri Lanka primarily of one strain, research and facts reveal

Facts backed by research on the dengue-front are coming up slowly but surely. The facts are indisputable. Since 2011, Sri Lanka has seen the dengue-scene dominated by the strain, Serotype 1, and to a lesser extent Serotype 4. Why is one serotype showing such dominance for such a long time? While answers are being awaited, [...]

The planned construction of a mini hydro power plant at a beautiful waterfall in Athwelthota is being fiercely opposed by local villagers and environmentalists. Athwelthota, in Palindanuwara in the Kalutara district, is a popular holiday destination with its natural streams and pools for bathing. The streams, which flow into the Palana Ganga river, have been [...]

Big or small, nab them all: PNB hooked on anti-narcotics drive

While nabbing drug kingpin Wele Suda and locating 26 tractors used to transport heroin in large quantities, Police are also on the trail of small scale heroin dealers and users, with many arrests made this month. A senior official of the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) said that, previously the PNB arrested those in possession in [...]

ILO help sought to eradicate domestic child labour

Child Affairs State Minister Rosy Senanayake has sought the International Labour Organisation’s assistance in eradicating domestic child labour in Sri Lanka. Her request came when she met Bijoy Raychaudri, the project director of the Global Action Programme on child labour issues of the (ILO) at her the Ministry. She said the Government would adopt a [...]

China says it maintains an “all weather friendship” with Sri Lanka

China has underscored that it maintains an “all weather friendship” with Sri Lanka and would continue to promote strong relations between the two countries. These sentiments were conveyed to Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera during his two-day official visit to China where he held bilateral talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. During talks, both sides [...]

St Anthony’s feast unites Indo-Lanka fishermen

An estimated 6,000 people including 4,000 devotees from India are due to arrive in Kachchativu island for the annual feast of St Anthony’s Church to be held today. Devotees, mostly fishermen of the two countries, including women and children started arriving on Saturday. Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) spokesman Indika Silva said that the Indian pilgrims [...]

Couple get suspended RI, fine for threatening Judicial officer

Kandy Additional Magistrate Sirinith Wijesekera sentenced a husband and wife to four-years rigorous imprisonment, suspended for five years, and a fine of Rs 8,500 or a six-month jail term in lieu, for threatening the Kandy Chief Magistrate in Katugastota. The suspects were also severely warned by the Additional Magistrate. He said their act of threatening [...]

Central Bank steps in again, takes over Golden Key payments

Desperate depositors of the Golden Key (GK) company were this week once again offered a new payment plan process by the Central Bank (CB), probably the third time since the disgraced credit card company collapsed in 2008. The new plan of action was discussed on Friday at a meeting presided over by CB Governor Arjuna [...]

Long overdue Animal Welfare Bill up for Cabinet approval

Animal Rights activists are hopeful that the long overdue Animal Welfare Bill will be enacted under this Government’s 100-Day programme. Animal Rights Activist and Attorney-at-Law, Lalani Perera who was a member of the Law Commission sub-committee that drafted the Bill, said the new Laws seek to replace the existing Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance [...]

Partially paralysed Dr. Samanmali compensated for life in a wheelchair

The long, drawn out legal battle for compensation for Dr P.D. Samitha Samanmali, a promising medical student whose life was tragically shattered by the collapsing stage at the BMICH, which left her partially paralysed, ended on Friday, when the Colombo District Court awarded her Rs180 million in damages. The BMICH was ordered to pay the [...]

Wall mounted plants at Temple Trees to be relocated

Over 45,000 flower pots used for the green wall in front of Temple Trees erected by the previous regime are to be handed over to the Gampaha Botanical Garden, the Prime Minister’s office said. The previous government is said to have spent Rs.3 million to set up the wall with mounted flower pots for the [...]

Food outlet scoring system will benefit consumers

Customers at food outlets will be able to satisfy themselves that the food they are buying meets legal standards with all outlets required to display certificates of compliance issued by the Health Ministry. The move comes in response to concern by Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) over food being treated with harmful chemicals and poor food [...]

Colombo Port City project continues regardless of controversy

Neither the Chinese contractors nor the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) has a valid sand-mining licence for Colombo Port City, officials said this week, adding that the Company was only issued a temporary permit for the project’s inauguration in September 2014. “They were given a licence for the opening ceremony based on a special request, [...]

Maldivian govt., opposition reps explain their positions to MS, Ranil

Both the Maldivian government as well as opposition parties briefed Sri Lankan authorities this week on the political unrest that has erupted in their country with the arrest of its former President Mohamed Nasheed. Leader of the opposition Jumhooree Party (JP) Gasim Ibrahim met President Maithripala Sirisena last morning to discuss the ongoing political crisis [...]

St Anthony’s feast unites Indo-Lanka fishermen

Take basic precautions, say health officials as seasonal flu spreads

Don’t panic but take basic precautions against ‘seasonal flu’, stressed top health officials, as Influenza A/H1N1 spread rapidly in neighbouring India. Dispelling concerns about the spread of so-called ‘deadly’ swine flu, Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Paba Palihawadana was quick to point out that what was spreading in India was Influenza A/H1N1 and swine flu was a [...]

India suffers worst flu outbreak with over 650 deaths this year

This year records India’s worst Influenza A/H1N1 outbreak and the State governments are working hard to tackle it, said Dr. Amar S. Fettle, Kerala State Nodal Officer for H1N1, Ebola and H5N1. The outbreak has left over 650 dead from January to date in the country. Most of the victims are from Gujarat and Rajasthan, [...]

Protesters block Colombo-Puttalam road at Anawilundawa

A protest launched by villagers against the construction of an asbestos manufacturing factory at Anawilundawa yesterday, brought traffic on the Colombo- Puttalam A-3 road to a standstill for nearly an hour. The protesters were opposing the construction of a new asbestos manufacturing factory near the Anawilundawa wetland. The protestors said Environment laws, regulations and Acts [...]

Shivering students stranded after tour bus breaks down

A group of students from the Galagama Maha Vidyalaya in Beliatta on an educational tour of Nuwara Eliya, received a nasty surprise on the first leg of their trip. As part of the programme on 26 February, the group, comprising 23 girls, 35 boys a few teachers and parents first visited Horton Plains. They left [...]

Maj. Gen. Goonetilleke new head of Volunteer Force

Major General H.C.P. Goonetilleke has been appointed the Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force. The 70,000-strong Volunteer Force is a formidable part of the Army and played a significant role in ending the 30-year war. Maj. Gen. Goonetilleke led the Volunteer Force troops in many battles, especially the battles that took place in [...]

Government failing to meet deadlines of 100-day programme: NMSJ

The Government has fallen back on fulfilling several important matters that were to be concluded by the end of February under its 100-day programme. Some important legislative businesses which were to be concluded last month still remain pending. Both the Right to information Bill and the National Audit Bill which were to be tabled in [...]

The one time popular race course at Nuwara Eliya has turned into an eyesore to both local, as well as to foreigners who visit the town. Over the years cultivators have encroached into the 10-acre plot of land allocated for the park. Former Minster of Sports, Gamini Lokuge initiated a programme to develop the race course and [...]

Schools probed for soliciting funds contrary to official circular

Principals and teachers of more than 100 schools, including National schools, are under investigation for collecting money from parents and students for school activities, in violation of a recently issued circular by the Education Ministry, a senior official said. Secretary to the Ministry of Education Upali Marasinghe told Education Times that audit teams are being [...]

Parents argue with an Education official over the construction of a school building. A year ago, a building of Matara DS Senanayake College was demolished on a directive of former minister Dullas Alahapperuma, promising a new building in its place. However, students still use temporary buildings. Pix by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk

Education Minister warns against impersonators directing on his behalf

Education Minister Akila Virja Kariyawasam has directed his officials not to act on ‘unofficial’ directives reportedly given by him. The directive came after a man pretending to be the Minister of Education had recently contacted the Western Provincial Director of Education, Wimal Gunaratne to effect the transfer of a teacher. Only after the transfer was [...]

National ceremony to appreciate Principals and Teachers on World Teachers’ Day

The Education Ministry is inviting principals and teachers of government schools to apply for “Guru Prathibha Prabha”, a national ceremony in appreciation of teachers and principals for their dynamic contribution towards the Education sector. Teachers are requested to submit their applications to the principals of their respective schools before April 1, and the principals must [...]

Only Govt. presses to print school text books- Cabinet

Cabinet approved the proposal submitted by Mass Media Minister, Gayantha Karunathilake to hand over the printing of school text books to government printing bodies only. Accordingly, printing of school text books in 2015 will be given to the State Printing Corporation, Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd and the Dept of Govt. Printing. The Govt. Information [...]

State undergrads march against fee hikes at OUSL

Undergraduates this week staged a protest march demanding abolition of fees levied by the Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) and the privatisation of the Education sector. They marched from the OUSL in Nawala to Fort Railway Station on Wednesday. However, the Ministry of Higher Education stands firm on the revised fee structures for the [...]

No age limit for Law College entrance exam

The Council of Legal Education of the Sri Lanka Law College has made several decisions including removal of the upper age limit, which was reduced from 35 years to 30 years last year. According to the Principal of SL Law College, Dr Jayatissa De Costa P.C., question papers will be in English, Sinhala and Tamil [...]

Burooj Realization’s maiden Sri Lanka Interschool Islamic Quiz a resounding success

The Colombo branch of ‘Burooj’, an International Muslim organisation dedicated to “help spread the beautiful words of the Quran and Sunnah”, held its first interschool Islamic quiz in Sri Lanka. Held at the Navarangahala, the quiz had over 800 participants from schools with Muslim students, such as Zahira College, Royal College, DS Senanayake College, St. [...]

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