Feb 3 (CT) "What a wretched life I led without her. There wasn't anyone in this world who could comprehend my inner burning desire to possess her. She was the apple of my eye. There wouldn't have been any lover in this world who could love a girl the way I did. My life gradually became useless owing to her acts and my misfortune of not being able to keep her under my care", confessed the18 year old Suneth who burst into tears at the Police Station while giving a statement for more..

Feb 3 (CT) The white elephant which is the State owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has done it again. This time in the form of an oil leak, due to a ruptured pipeline, carrying oil from the Colombo Port to CPC's oil installation plant at Kolonnawa on Sunday, according to reports. This is a waste of taxpayers'/public money. Who's accountable for this waste? It's not just 'over to you' Minister Champika Ranawaka. The taxpayer has the right to know who is accountable more..

Feb 3 (AM) A state media station has spent nearly Rs. 2 million to "train" the dummy presidential candidate who looked like President Maithripala Sirisena. Dummy candidate had been stationed at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute throughout the election period and the state media station had looked after all his expenses. During his stay at the SL Foundation Institute, Sirisena had been given a special training by a hired more..

Feb 3 (EN) President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka (CA Sri Lanka) Arjuna Herath has become the head of the apex accounting body of the SAARC member countries. The South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) consists of the institutes of chartered accountants and of cost and management accountants of SAARC countries who have come together with the objective of developing the accountancy profession in the region. Herath said its aim is to unify individual more..

Feb 3 (Island) Plans were afoot to collect and set aside Rs. 10 million to carry out DNA tests on elephants. Wildlife Department Director General H D Ratnayake said that newly appointed Sports and Tourism Deputy Minister Wasantha Senanayake had promised to obtain required funds for that purpose. The DNA testing would be handed over to the Colombo University. The cost of the test should be borne by those who wish to adopt the elephants, according to environmentalists. more..

Feb 3 (AFP) Conventional wisdom says Asian teams usually succumb on the bouncy wickets of Australia or the seaming pitches in NZ, making them vulnerable and rank outsiders for the World Cup. Co-hosts Australia and NZ, alongside the mighty South Africa, are the bookmakers' favourites to win one-day cricket's biggest prize, with Asian teams way down in the pecking order. But those already writing off Asia's big three more..

Feb 3 (CT) Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) had raided 25 groceries to check the prices of goods to ensure that the price reduction was properly followed. Jaffna Chamber of Commerce Chairman R. Jeyasegaram said, even if the prices of goods are reduced in the budget, and immediate price reduction cannot be witnessed in Jaffna. Essential goods in markets have not be reduced in Jaffna even after a price reduction was imposed. Following the number of complaints received by CAA, more..

Feb 3 (CG) US Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Biswal will not be visiting Jaffna during her Sri Lankan visit which ends today. An Embassy spokesperson said that since Biswal’s visit to Sri Lanka was just over two days she will not have time to visit Jaffna. Earlier there were some reports indicating she will visit Jaffna apart from having meetings in Colombo with the Government and civil society. However the US Embassy denied those reports and said that her meetings had more..

Feb 3 (Island) SLMC is expected to secure the post of Chief Minister of the Eastern Provincial Council soon in accordance with its agreement with the SLFP-led UPFA. An SLMC nominee will succeed UPFA appointed Chief Minister M.N. Abdul Majeed, a member of the SLFP. SLMC leader and Minister Rauff Hakeem said that political parties represented at the EPC were in the process of finalising arrangements. more..

Feb 3 (AM) JVP expressed its displeasure at the tax hike on hybrid vehicles. MP Sunil Handunnetti said govt should have implemented a tax policy which would attract customers to hybrid vehicles. He added that the Finance Minister and several other ministers in the present govt were of this view when the then govt increased taxes on hybrid vehicles in 2012. He expressed surprise as to why the policies they championed then are not implemented now when they are in govt. more..

Feb 3 (EN) Sri Lanka's new govt has relished shaming the former first family for expropriating two buses for luxury joy rides, but the real complaint should be about their poor taste. From a distance, the Indian-made vehicles appear similar to the Winnebago Recreational Vehicles (RV) costing in excess of two million dollars a piece, but these behemoths left by the Rajapaksas are anything but. The dark tinted windows and the black exterior paint work suggests luxury on board, but more..

Feb 3 (PTI) Reaffirming his govt’s stand on repatriation of Sri Lankan refugees, TN Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam lashed out at DMK chief M. Karunanidhi for criticising the State for not participating in a meeting convened by Centre on this issue. Mr. Panneerselvam sought to know what was wrong in his govt’s stand that the meeting, where India and Sri Lanka discussed the matter on Jan 30, should be held only after the goodwill and more..

Feb 3 (CG) President Sirisena claims the former cabinet led by Mahinda Rajapaksa had raised strong objections to moves by him to introduce pictorial warnings on cigarette packs when he was the Health Minister. Sirisena said that apart from JHU leader Champika Ranawaka and current Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne, who were in the former cabinet, most others were against moves to introduce 80% or more pictorial warnings depicting the link between smoking and cancer on cigarette packets. more..

Feb 3 (AD) Though the media had publicized that former President Rajapaksa had ordered for an aircraft for his personal use, civil aviation sector sources revealed that such a separate aircraft has never been ordered. Several VIP Kits were attached only as complimentary offers when SriLankan Airlines purchased several aircraft for its fleet from the Airbus Group recently. The allegation of having ordered a separate aircraft may have been based on this VIP Kit. more..

Feb 3 (Island) The JVP yesterday in parliament called upon the govt to appoint a presidential commission to investigate the legitimacy and legality of judgments handed down by Mohan Peiris when he was the Chief Justice. JVP MP Vijitha Herath participating in a debate at the time of adjournment of House on the removal of Mohan Peiris from the office of CJ said that Peiris’ name had been associated with many illegal and more..

Feb 3 (CT) Jaffna University Association yesterday condemned that if political interference does not come to a halt an adverse situation would surface in the university. This view was expressed by student, teachers and employee unions in the university. A protest was held by the unions urging the authorities to stop political influence within the university. Student Union President, Teachers Union President and Employees Union President addressed the gathering to explain crisis situation in uni. more..

Feb 3 (CT) Drug kingpin Wele Suda, who is currently in Police custody, has revealed the names of more than 30 persons involved in the drug trade, including an MP and investigations are in progress said Police media spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana. Addressing a media briefing yesterday, SSP Rohana stated that the IGP N. K. Illangakoon has handed over Wele Suda's case to Western Province Senior DIG Pujith Jayasundara who will also head the Police Narcotics Department. more..

Feb 3 (AFP) The Commonwealth today welcomed Sri Lanka's plans to establish a credible inquiry into war crimes allegations, after talks with new President Maitripala Sirisena and the former British colony's other leaders. Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma also offered Commonwealth assistance to set up the judicial inquiry into allegations troops killed thousands of Tamil civilians during the final stages of its ethnic war. more..

Feb 3 (AN) A 10-year-old Saudi boy driving a car in Abha killed an Asian expatriate who was crossing the road on Friday. Police have taken the boy into custody. The victim, Mohamed Shamsul Zaman from Sri Lanka, worked in a pastry shop in Muhayil, 50 km from the city center. An official from the Sri Lankan Consulate said that the mission is looking after the interests of the family of Zaman. “We are waiting for the police to complete investigations in order to pursue action for making a claim.” more..

Feb 3 (NS) A letter signed by Sri Lankans in Switzerland urging the govt to assure Kumar Gunaratnam the right to engage in politics was handed over to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Geneva. The letter also urged the govt to safeguard the rights of all activists who were forced to go on exile during the last few years. Frontline Socialist Party (FLSP) argues that its Central Committee Member Kumar Gunaratnam was one of those who left the country in fear for their lives and more..

Feb 3 (Island) The closing of a leak pouring out 250 litre of water per second into the underground tunnel system of the Iranian-funded Uma Oya multipurpose hydro power project was currently in progress using latest technologies, Project Director Dr. Eng. N.S.K.N. de Silva said. The most possible reason for decreasing of the ground water level of the area was the leak and such situations had been experienced during construction of more..

Feb 3 (CG) Several prisoners facing jail terms for minor offences are to be set free tomorrow, the Commissioner General of Prisons Chandraratne Pallegama said today. He said that the prisoners will be freed on the instructions of President Maithripala Sirisena to mark independence day tomorrow. Pallegama said that those who are in prison after being unable to pay their fines, will not need to pay the fine as part of the amnesty being offered for independence day. more..

Feb 3 (CG) The Government will implement the death sentence if the crime rate continues in the country, Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksa said today. Speaking to reporters after meeting the Chief Prelates in Kandy today, Rajapaksa said that Sri Lanka earlier faced a situation where crime was being committed by those who governed the country. He said that the Executive Presidency was used by the former Government to violate the law and not implement the law. more..

Feb 3 (CG) The TNA today called for a political solution for Tamils, during talks with visiting US Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Nisha Biswal. The TNA also reiterated its position that it will not support a domestic investigation said to be launched by the govt over the war between the LTTE and the military which ended in May 2009. “During our discussions, we have informed her that we do not support more..

Feb 4 (CT) The last time Sri Lanka had a president and cabinet of ministers from two different parties was in the 2001 – 2004 period: the SLFP and the UNP, respectively. President Chandrika Kumaratunga (SLFP) was re-elected in 1999 and in 2001 the coalition headed by Ranil Wickramesinge (UNP) won the general election. The expected cohabitation between the two failed because the president used her constitutional powers and prematurely dissolved parliament in 2004. more..

Feb 4 (CT) Many readers of my previous article entitled ‘Does one deviate from Buddha’s teaching by worshiping Objects?’ have presented their comments ether in the way of praise or insult what I have mentioned there. In this regard, I follow the advice of the Buddha: neither gives way to jubilation nor to resentment. Some requested me to openly answer to the questions raised by them in their comments. So I decided to be fair to all by clarifying my stand. more..

Feb 4 (SO) We remember that the Independence of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) was obtained on Feb 4, 1948 from British Rule, by smooth transition after India gained its independence. Our patriots declared that we are a people created equal, free to think and worship as we feel. We were no longer colonists. We obtained our own identity and our destiny would not be determined for us but our destiny will be determined by us. more..

Feb 4 (GV) “Vous l’avez voulu [You asked for it], George Dandin” mischievously exclaimed the Soulbury Commission’s report 70 years ago implying that their recommendation of the British parliamentary system was at Ceylonese instigation if anything went wrong. The report quoted French playwright Moličre’s 1668 comedy Dandin, and defended their counsel that Ceylon adopt a Westminster inspired constitution model on the grounds that not only was it best suited for more..

Feb 4 (SL) Why are you sulking and not dancing on tables. Your side has won said Sududath to his old school friend who had sunk deep in a chair and was concentrating on his drink. Nodath ignored his pal and continued with his sulk. What’s the matter? Your favourite politico Ravi K has not reduced the price of your favourite dish, parripu? No reduction in pappadam and Pol sambol and only reduced price of haalmesso. Has he not reduced the price of booze? Not reduced only increased it, more..

Feb 4 (CT) The National Flag of Sri Lanka has been designed to represent the country and her people and is a rallying device that integrates the minority races with the majority race. It is the foremost symbol of our Motherland. The Flag we see today has a long history. It is a flag charged with intense emotions and symbolic power that defines national identity and evokes patriotic sentiments. It is a symbol of country's pride more..

Feb 4 (ST) A faded sepia- tinted picture dated in the 1890s depicts camels transporting crates of Lipton’s Ceylon Tea in front of the pyramids in Egypt. More close to home a battered photograph shows Nugegoda, positively unrecognisable in its old avatar, with uncluttered roads and shops adorned with hand painted typographic signs. The 1949 programme for the first anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence is a simple one devoid of trappings, and highlights that the National Song more..

Feb 4 (FT) Some years back I was a member of the official bar in the famed south sea islands of Fiji. This was when that beautiful country of roughly 18,000 square km was, despite simmering tensions between the indigenous Fijians and the immigrant Indians, a sturdy democracy, with an excellent legal system and a judiciary of high repute. If my memory serves me well, I believe the population of the entire group of islands then was about four to five hundred thousand, more or less. more..

Feb 4 (SL) Now that the new government has been in place for a few weeks, and also does not face the speculated political/constitutional challenges from the erstwhile President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s camp, the time has begun ticking for them to meet their self-set 100-day deadline for progressing on the promised constitutional reforms. The clock would stop on 23 April, again their own deadline for calling fresh parliamentary polls, a full year ahead of schedule. more..

Feb 4 (SL) The interim budget of the National Democratic Front govt presented by its Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake was easily the most people-friendly budget of any government in recent times. It was described as a mini-budget, unlike the main budget that makes its appearance in November. But it will have a significant impact on the lives of the majority of people who are still far from being the middle income earners that Central Bank figures used to make out. more..

Feb 4 (NS) Three weeks into the election, the new government has introduced an interim budget. Meanwhile, some of the promises in the 100-days-program are being carried out or have already been done. However, certain questions still remain of the 100-days-program. In this juncture, the Frontline Socialist Party (FLSP) Politburo Member, Duminda Nagamuwa spoke to ‘The Nation’ on current developments. more..

Feb 4 (Island) Independence Day for a developing country is like a mendicant’s wedding anniversary. Why it should ever be celebrated on a grand-scale defies one’s comprehension. The govt’s decision to scale down today’s Independence Day celebrations and hold the main ceremony near Parliament instead of at Weeraketiya is most welcome though it is not devoid of partisan politics. A lot of money has thus been saved and many a participant spared the trouble of sleeping rough for a night or two more..

Feb 4 (AN) Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has just experienced its best ever year, recording over 1.5 million tourist arrivals in 2014, according to govt data. With numbers continuing to set records for 68 straight months in December 2014, totaling a 1,527,153 tourists, the island saw a 19.8% increase from the 1,274,593 that arrived during 2013. Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has proved steady development by achieving an arrival target of 1.5 million tourists for the year 2014, more..

Feb 4 (CT) Minister for Public Order, Disaster Management and Christian Affairs, John Amaratunga holds a key position in the govt's plan for good governance. He not only has to reform the Police but he also has to ensure that the crimes of the previous regime do not go unpunished. In addition to this, he has to revamp the Police system in the country within the next two months. In the meantime, the Leader of the Opposition, more..