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Home » NewsRedrawing the map of Sri Lanka
With the building of the International Financial City or Port City in Colombo, the map of Sri Lanka will change after ages and generations. Our picture shows the Surveyor General’s finger pointing at the new map he is drawing. Pic by Amila Gamage
PMB paddy at cut rate for Aloysius’ liquor company
By Kasun Warakapitiya The Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) has sold paddy stocks stored at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport at cut rate to W M Mendis and Co — a liquor manufacturing firm owned by the influential Aloysius Group, which is associated with the Central Bank bond issue now under investigation. The paddy was hawked off [...]
NE housing row: Compromise solution for 6,000 prefab units
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) has granted approval for the construction of 6,000 prefabricated steel houses in the North and East by ArcelorMittal despite opposition by civil society groups and the Tamil National Alliance. The proposal will now go back to the Cabinet for ratification, authoritative sources told the Sunday Times. The project [...]
Rising death toll from dengue and H1N1
The prevailing unusual weather conditions are contributing towards rising deaths due to dengue and H1N1 influenza, health officials warned yesterday. With the death toll due to dengue rising to 53 in three months and the number of cases increasing to 27,898 the Dengue Control Unit has issued health warnings to 11 districts. They are Colombo, [...]
SriLankan in another legal battle — this time with duty-free product supplier
By Namini Wijedasa SriLankan Airlines has been slapped with fresh litigation, just days after dodging an expensive legal battle with a company through which it extended leases on three A330-200 aircraft. Duty Free Partners (DFP), supplier of SriLankan’s onboard duty free products, on Friday took out an enjoining order preventing the national carrier from terminating [...]
President, PM in pooja at Trinco Kali Kovil
President Maithripala Sirisena (L), Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Opposition Leader R. Sambanthan participated in a pooja in the Kali Kovil in Trincomalee yesterday. Both the President and Prime Minister were in Trincomalee for the Yovun Puraya programme which concludes today.
Automated digital cameras and cloud computing to nab traffic offenders
Automated digital cameras will soon replace outdated analog CCTV cameras in Colombo City and its suburbs to nab errant drivers. Police CCTV Unit director T.P. Gamlath said the Traffic Police and the Megapolis Ministry were working together in a pilot project that will see cameras being installed at Kirulapone, Kollupitiya’s Pittala –Handiya and the [...]
Young motorcyclist dies after being run over by jeep
A schoolboy riding a friend’s motorbike, on his way to convey his success at the GCE (O/L) exam to his friends, was killed when he collided with a jeep in Angoda, and was run over by it, a Coroner’s court inquiry was told yesterday. The incident took place late on Thursday evening after the victim [...]
GSP+ eligibility will entail greater EU oversight
If granted the GSP+ trade concession, Sri Lanka will be subject to more European Union (EU) monitoring than ever before of its implementation of 27 core conventions on human rights (HR), labour, environmental protection and good governance, it was revealed in the European Parliament (International Trade Committee) last week. Sri Lanka, which lost the GSP+ [...]
CB bond auction details leaked to outside party
Based on the bidding pattern of the Central Bank bond auction on February 27, 2015, there are indications that key information related to the auction had leaked to an outside party prior to its start, Central Bank Deputy Governor P. Samarasiri said. He was testifying before the Commission of Inquiry (COI) looking into the issue [...]
Let Sri Lanka show the way towards a rights-respecting future: Amnesty
By Minar Pimple, Senior Director of Global Operations, Amnesty International It is a difficult time to stand up for human rights. Across the world, from the United States where Donald Trump has tried to impose a bigoted ban on Muslims, to Europe where many politicians spread fear and divide people with toxic rhetoric, to Australia’s [...]
Keeping the sting away
An anti Dengue, control programme underway in the Kotikawatta area assisted by Public Health inspectors and members of the Civil Defence Force.
LNG terminal: BOI slams moves by ministry
The Board of Investment (BOI) has expressed dissatisfaction over a decision by the Power and Renewable Energy Ministry to go ahead with plans to set up a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal in Colombo Port at what the BOI claims is a “colossal cost” to the Government. Its objection comes on the basis that several [...]
Indo-Lanka fisheries delegations to check on progress
A Sri Lanka fisheries delegation will ask their Indian counterparts next week, on the progress of commitments reached at the Joint Working Group meeting early this year, a senior official from the ministry said. “Both parties have agreed on many things, particularly the Indian govt.’s consent to phaseout bottom trawling in the Palk Strait, by [...]
Indian navy chief clears Lankan navy of TN fisherman’s killing
Despite sustained efforts by Dravidian political parties and chauvinist groups in Tamil Nadu to incriminate the Sri Lanka navy for alleged attacks on its fishermen, the top commander of the Indian navy has given a clean bill to the island nation’s navy. Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of Naval Staff, has said that fishermen from Tamil [...]
CEA permits mini-hydro projects sans EIA: RPSL
An alliance of environmentalists are protesting against the Central Environmental Authority’s (CEA) continued issuance of permits to mini-hydro plants across waterfalls, streams and rivers in the wet zone, despite, what they allege, are several ecological and social issues. The CEA has “ignored all pleas by villagers and environmental groups, and are still issuing new permits, [...]
Draft Bill for superpower committee under Premier for energy sector
A new draft Bill seeks to confer wide-ranging powers on a committee of officials under Prime Minister (PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe, to take sweeping decisions on the country’s energy sector. The Energy Supply (Temporary Provisions) Draft Bill, a copy of which was seen by the Sunday Times, would establish a 13-member “Energy Supply Committee” (ESC) of [...]
Shangri-La Hambantota resort books Rs 1.2b loss since opening
Hong Kong-listed hotels operator, Shangri-La Asia, which opened the 300-room Shangri-La Hambantota Resort & Spa in June last year, booked a loss of US$7.9 million (Rs 1.2 billion) from the hotel as a result of start-up costs, high depreciation charges and exchange losses on US dollar bank borrowings. Shangri-La Asia has a 90% equity interest [...]
200 Lankan troops for peacekeeping in Mali
Some 200 Sri Lanka Army personnel will leave for the West African nation of Mali next month to join the United Nations Peace Keeping troops in that country, a senior Army official said yesterday. Military spokesperson Roshan Seneviratne told the Sunday Times that contingent was engaged in field training exercises in Kankesanthurai and Sooriyawewa. The [...]
People from all walks of life join forces for the Little Hearts Project
They had nothing, but even they donated the monies spent on their day’s meals by the government in mid-March, while on Wednesday a Sri Lankan celebrity pledged his full support. Men, women and children from all walks of life, including the prisoners of Welikada and locally and internationally known racing-car champion Dilantha Malagamuwa, have all [...]
Health fitness concerns of elderly pilgrims going to India
Calls are growing to tighten regulations regarding Buddhist pilgrimage tours, in the wake of the sudden deaths of at least seven Sri Lankan pilgrims in India this year, according to the Overseas Buddhist Tours Organisation (OBTO). The most serious incident was reported earlier this week, when three pilgrims from a single tour group died. The [...]
Agri, bio-sciences faculties ignored by students without job prospects
There are no jobs in Sri Lanka for agriculture, veterinary, and biological science graduates and few are seeking higher education in these streams, putting relevant faculties of 21 universities in peril. In the past five years, admissions to these streams have fallen, a panel has found. In 2013-2014, students who registered for these programs numbered [...]
Move to protect forests adjoining Wilpattu triggers diverse reactions
Environmental groups have welcomed the declaration made on March 24 under the Forest Conservation Ordinance to protect more than 40,000 hectares, but locals are demanding that the presidential extraordinary gazette notice be revoked. Secretary to the President, P. B. Abeykoon on Friday met with some of the stakeholders including the Forest Conservator General, officials from [...]
Expressways ready for Avurudu flow; drivers told to follow rules
More exit points are being made available temporarily on the Southern and Katunayake expressways to ease traffic congestion during the Avurudu period from Thursday to April 24. But officials are also asking vehicle owners to do their part and be disciplined and follow the expressway rules and regualtions. Road Development Authority, Director of Expressway Operations, [...]
Avurudu buyers feel budgets stretched; traders see weak retail sales
Shelves are stocked but few people are buying for the Avurudu celebration. Those who are buying, are seeking bargains, traders in the Pettah and Borella say. Many consumer goods traders complain that Avurudu sales are weak. S. H. Mohammad, 52, from Seeduwa who owns a small textile shop in the Pettah said most customers ask [...]
Deputy Governor critical of Mahendran’s conduct
Based on the bidding pattern of the Central Bank bond auction on February 27, 2015, there are indications that key information related to the auction had leaked to an outside party prior to its start, Central Bank Deputy Governor P. Samarasiri said. He was testifying before the Commission of Inquiry (COI) looking into the issue [...]
Depression: You’re not alone, seek help
You are not alone. Do you feel life is not worth living? Are you worried about the future? Wondering why your new baby is not making you happy? Whatever life may throw at you, you are not alone – seek help and support, for depression is preventable and treatable. Many eminent and famous personalities worldwide [...]
Dengue epidemic overwhelms Batticaloa: 1,500 cases in three months
More than 1,500 dengue patients have been admitted to hospital in Batticaloa in the past three months and Kaththankudi dealt with 800 cases in 10 days as the district struggles with a deadly dengue epidemic. Three patients died this week. Across the country the death toll has risen to 53 from January to March. Batticaloa [...]
Super pods of sperm whales put on marine spectacle
While observing a super pod of nearly 100 sperm whales, marine mammal expert Ranil Nanayakkara witnessed a rare occasion when killer whales attacked the marine giants in the seas off Kalpitiya. It was an epic battle. Sri Lanka is famous for wildlife spectacles such as this along with the largest gathering of Asian elephants, huge [...]
Nuwara Eliya all set for season
The annual ceremony to herald the start of the Nuwara Eliya season, that coincides with the National New Year was launched with a colourful parade yesterday. The festivities organised by the Municipal Council will continue until April 26. More than1800 schoolchildren participated in the school bands that paraded the streets along with the bands of [...]
Urgent moves to stop Lovers Leap waterfall becoming a trickle
The picturesque ‘Lovers Leap’ waterfall in Nuwara Eliya is fast drying up due to the overuse of water at its source — and steps are being taken to preserve it. A committee appointed by Central Province Governor Niluka Ekanayake to advise her on measures needed to preserve the waterfall, in its report last week, identified [...]
Photo focus: Path to destruction
With more development activities due to take place in the Hambantota district, the space for elephants that once roamed the area is shrinking. As a result, the human-elephant conflict has been exacerbated. In the most recent incident, one person was killed in Wewagama, Sooriyawewa this week. The hunt for the elephant known as ‘Minimaru Aliya’ [...]