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Home » NewsNavy intervenes to evict strikers from ships
By Sandun Jayawardena and Chandani Kirinde Workers on strike at the Hambantota Port for a fourth day and continued to occupy two foreign container vessels forcing a Navy operation to evict them yesterday. Later yesterday, the Navy helped one of these ships “Hyperon Highway” to leave the Port. Gantry cranes positioned on the path of [...]
Nilame case: CC recommends action against Police Chief
The Constitutional Council (CC) will ask President Maithripala Sirisena to initiate action against Police Chief Pujith Jayasundera over allegations that he attempted to save a suspect from arrest over a corruption investigation. The decision came after a lengthy discussion on Friday at the CC meeting chaired by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya. An official source said yesterday [...]
Rice prices rising: 5,000 tonnes being imported
By S. Rubatheesan Urgent measures are being taken to import 5,000 tons of rice from three South Asian countries to avoid a shortage and keep prices under check during the festive season, a senior official said. Commerce Ministry Secretary T. M. K. B. Tennekoon said quotations would be sought from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in [...]
Cyclone likely to hit Lankan coast
A cyclonic storm named “Varadah” was last night located 800 km away from the coast of Trincomalee and is likely to hit the Sri Lankan coast by tomorrow, the Department of Meteorology warned. The depression over the south of the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify by this morning, and will be 400 km [...]
WB calls for major changes in PPP projects
Sri Lanka is over-reliant on public finance, has not prioritised its projects, has multiple agencies with overlapping functions and has been dependent on unsolicited proposals, the World Bank (WB) says. The Western Region Megapolis Programme consists of more than160 projects with an estimated investment volume of US$ 40 billion. There are also a large number [...]
China-dominated joint venture taking control of Hambantota port
By Namini Wijedasa A Chinese-dominated joint venture (JV) will be granted comprehensive control of Hambantota port — including its internal security — under a framework agreement signed this week between the Sri Lanka Government and China Merchants Port Holdings Company (CMPort). The agreement, which was seen by the Sunday Times, was entered into between CMPort [...]
Japan funds rehabilitation in the North
By Ravi Shankar The Women’s Community Based Savings Group in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province (NP) has launched a reconciliation programme for war-affected families through women empowerment. The programme, funded by the Government of Japan and administered by the UN Habitat, helps women make a living through self entrepreneurship. Under the programme, members of the groups [...]
Lankan and global LGBTIQ activists urge Trump to uphold human rights for all
NEW YORK – Global LGBTIQ activists gathering here yesterday to mark International Human Rights Day urged President-elect Donald Trump to maintain US commitment to protecting the human rights of LGBTIQ people globally. The activists from Iraq, Lebanon, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St. Lucia, Sweden, Thailand, and the United States gathered at the office of OutRight [...]
BOT system for two elevated highways
The Government has dropped a plan to obtain a loan from a Japanese bank to construct an elevated highway in the suburbs of Colombo and instead is to go in for a Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis project. Under the proposed plan, talks were underway with the Japan Mitsubishi Bank for the construction of [...]
Equipment coming to test motorists using narcotics, say Police
The Police will soon import equipment to test if motorists are driving under the influence of narcotics, said Deputy Inspector General of Police (Traffic) Palitha Fernando. ”Tenders have been called for the purchase of the equipment which will be issued to all police stations”, he said. Currently, motorists need to be subjected to a blood [...]
No tsunami warning for SL as earthquake epicentre was inland
The Meteorology (Met) Dept yesterday said no tsunami warning was issued to Sri Lanka’s coast despite a 6.5 magnitude earthquake in Aceh Indonesia this week, as the epicentre was inland, unlike the one which resulted in the 2004 tsunami. A senior official of the Met Dept explained that, the epicentre of the earthquake that resulted [...]
Two-thirds majority for Budget
By Chandani Kirinde The second Budget of the National Unity Government was passed last evening with a two-thirds majority — 165 members voting for and 55 against the motion. The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and MPs Douglas Devananda and Arumugam Thondaman voted for the Budget, while the JVP and the Joint Opposition (JO) voted against [...]
Probe ordered on Duminda’s alleged prison party
The Prisons Department has ordered an inquiry following Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra’s claim that former MP Duminda Silva who is on death row had a birthday party in prison, an official said. He said the prisons intelligence section had been told to conduct a probe to verify the claim made by Ms Premachandra in Parliament this [...]
House ends year with charity beginning at home
Parliament yesterday unanimously approved the payment of Rs 100,000 a month to all MPs for the maintenance of an office, with effect from January 1, 2017, as well as a raise in the current sitting allowance from Rs 500 to Rs. 2,500. The resolution presented in the House by Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media Minister [...]
Rs. 25,000 traffic fine or court?
The committee appointed to discuss proposed traffic fines will submit its report before the end of the month, a senior official said. Transport Ministry Secretary Nihal Somaweera said the first meeting was held last Monday, the Senior DIG police, Nandana Munasinghe and several officials of the Finance and Justice ministries attended the discussion. He said [...]
Air Force cyclist in race to death
An airman taking part in a bicycle race died of head injuries which he suffered after a fall, a coroner’s court was told on Friday. R. Nishantha Jayawardena, 28, from Harispattuwa fell when he tried to collect a bottle of water offered by a spectator at Mirissawatte area in Gampaha. After he fell, he was [...]
Time to question PM in draft Standing Orders
By Chandani Kirinde Keeping with British Parliamentary practice, a new section called “Questions to be asked from the Prime Minister”, which provides for time allocated on Wednesday, in the first week of sittings every month for half-an-hour, when questions can be asked from the PM, has been included in the draft Standing Orders (SO) of [...]
For the countless jobless, deadly mines are a lifeline
By Ravi Shankar in Jaffna They earn about 25,000 rupees a month, but the women of Muhamalai, who are digging up many types of explosives including anti-personnel mines, anti-tank mines and unexploded ordnance, are doing priceless work in the largest minefield in Sri Lanka. Tamil terrorist fighters and Sri Lanka’s military laid thousands of mines [...]
Jayalalithaa the enigma of Tamil Nadu politics
Dateline Chennai By Kumar Chellappan Tamil Nadu (TN), a State known for political stability, for the last three decades, is back in the news with uncertainty staring in the face of the ruling AIADMK, following the December 5 death of party leader and State’s Chief Minister (CM) Jayaram Jayalalithaa at age 68. While the question [...]
Major campaign underway to popularise new RTI Act with public, media
The Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI) commenced a major campaign to popularise the newly enacted Right to Information (RTI) Act with the public and media with a series of workshops in Galle, Gampaha, Colombo and the launch of a Citizen’s Manual on the law which will come into operation on February 4, 2017. The purpose [...]
How to stop tender benders: Transparency the only way
World Bank top official Laurence Carter gives lessons on quality bidding By Namini Wijedasa The only way to stop commission payments in the award of tenders was for procurement processes to be transparent with as much disclosure as possible, a World Bank (WB) specialist said this week. Infrastructure was a service offered to the public. [...]
SLPI launches “A Citizen’s Manual on Sri Lanka’s Right to Information Law”
The Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI) launched “A Citizen’s Manual on Sri Lanka’s Right to Information (RTI) Law” on December 5, at its premises. The Manual simplifies the RTI Law to enable citizens use the Act effectively, so that, Government is made more accountable to the People. Compiled by Attorney-at-law Menaka Lecamwasam, during July-September 2016, [...]
A strong self regulatory media authority will prevent Govt. interference
By Sandun Jayawardana The absence of a strong self regulatory media authority paves the way for Governments to step into regulate the media, warned Kjersti Løken Stavrum, former Secretary General of the Norwegian Press Association. She made the remarks while delivering a lecture at a seminar titled “What are the Challenges for Self Regulation” at [...]
Shops stocked, but shoppers scarce
By Anushiya Sathisraja Christmas is in the air; especially Colombo city has come alive with decorated shops and stocked up shelves; but shoppers and traders have mixed reactions. “Christmas isn’t complete without shopping,” 28-year-old Shiromi Fernando from Wellawatte said, adding that, the price was not a problem for her because if she wanted something badly [...]
Christmas tree builders erect Rs 12m private cash defence
Construction committee Chairman says the tree was to promote religious harmony and promote tourism A 12 million rupee showcase Christmas tree project branded as a colossal waste is hoping to save itself by pleading that private enterprises funded it while insisting that public money was not spent by the Ministry of Ports and Shipping. But [...]
Regular cocaine detections make SL an ‘unpopular’ transit point
By Damith Wickremasekara Regular raids leading to detection of large cocaine hauls is expected to slow down the use of Sri Lanka as a transit point for drug trafficking, said a senior Police official involved in Narcotics detection. He said that, though large stocks of cocaine were detected in recent months, the contraband was Europe [...]
New police unit to take drug war to the sea
By Sandun Jayawardana Amid growing fears that the Northern Province is turning into a ‘hub’ for narcotic drugs, authorities are taking tough new measures to combat the threat. Among such measures is the setting up earlier this month of a Police Marine Division unit in Mannar. The ten-member unit was set up with the aim [...]
Pick of the pix
Pix by Indika Handuwala, Amila Gamage ,Anurada Bandara, Janath De Silva,Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk and Shelton Hettiarachchi
Mini-hydro’s power bulldozes Athwelthota ecology concerns
By Malaka Rodrigo Environmentalists say yet another mini-hydro power project approved this week overlooks the irreparable damage being done to ecologically-sensitive areas in the country.But enviromental authorities defend their decision to approve the latest project in Athwelthota in the Kalutara district. After reviewing objections by environmentalists about the negative impact on the Athwelthota Palan Ganga [...]
Five killed in road accidents within 24 hours
Road accidents snatched the lives of five persons over the past 24 hours ending Saturday. Police said three of the accidents involved motor cyclists. On Friday afternoon a trishaw (three wheeled vehicle) travelling from Awissawella to Galigamuwa collided with a lorry travelling in the opposite direction along the Awissawella main road. Four people were admitted [...]
The disappearing seafront at Mt Lavinia
Sea erosion along the Mt. Lavinia coast is on the rise causing severe problems to residents and business people alike. Among the worst affected are residents who live in fear of their homes being washed away by the waves. Several business establishments including hotels, beach-side restaurants and hotels are also among the affected. Hotel owners [...]
Don’t trash nature’s gifts, wildlife experts plead
By Malaka Rodrigo Reckless disposal of garbage in our localities can put precious bird life in peril as two recent incidents showed.Wildlife specialists are appealing to Sri Lankans to be a lot more considerate after rescuing two species of bird that endured the horrors of human encroachment of their habitat. Herpetologist and wildlife photographer Mendis [...]
Wasteful habits, wasted efforts
By Kasun Warakapitiya Municipal councils across the island are struggling with a multitude of problems in trying to get rid of waste and recycle separated and unseparated waste, while facing challenges from households that are not sorting out their garbage. There are also not enough landfills in the country and households and industries have yet [...]
Thalatha says no funny business in insurance dealings
Foreign Employment Minister Thalatha Athukorala on Saturday strongly denied Joint Opposition accusations of an alleged loss of Rs.1. 5 billion in an insurance scheme of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) for migrant workers. “The minister regrets these allegations and is ready to appear at any inquiry in this regard and states that [...]
FM to address London audience on Lanka’s ethnic reconciliation efforts
By Neville de Silva in London The progress Sri Lanka has made in its efforts at ethnic reconciliation and the measures introduced by President Maithripala Sirisena to achieve this will be discussed at a talk that Foreign Minister Samaraweera is to deliver at Chatham House in London next month. Chatham House announced that the one-hour [...]
Awareness, not protest
Police are carrying out an awareness campaign on road safety in many major cities around the island. Here Nugegoda police are seen engaged in a poster campaign. Pic by Anuradha Bandara