Aug 27 (DM) A major racket involving the forging of documents, including US Green Cards, in order to enable people to emigrate to the USA, was uncovered by the Criminal Investigation Department with the arrest of two persons on Tuesday. The CID, following a lengthy investigation, took into custody two persons, identified as Upali Rajapaksha and Kongedarage Indrani Chandralatha, residing at 291, Dehiwela Road, Boralesgamuwa, more..

Aug 27 (PSM) “450 expelled Muslims who were resettled recently in Musali are left unattended without being provided with basic facilities”, said SLMC Leader Mr. Rauff Hakeem at a Press Conference held today in Colombo. They were taken on 20th on the assurance of seeing the places and returning the following day. However, they’ve been left there and they are subjected to severe security screening process. more..

Aug 27 (DM) In another shocking revelation of police misuse of power, the CID produced an investigative report on the alleged police killing of two youths in Angulana and informed court that even pages of the police record book relating to the incident had been removed. The CID informed the Mount Lavinia Magistrate that the page of the Crime Record Book in which a complaint made by a woman prior to the incident, which is suspected to have had a connection to the killings, was removed. more..

Aug 27 (LBO) A case where Sri Lanka's former Treasury Secretary is seeking permission to return to public service from which he was ousted by court, will be taken up before an expanded bench, lawyers said. The case would be heard before a seven judge bench on September 24. In 2008 a three judge bench headed by former Chief Justice Sarath Silva faulted then Treasury secretary P B Jayasundara over a privatization deal. more..

Aug 27 (PTI) Worried that LTTE's defeat at the hands of military would crush his dream of a separate Tamil homeland, slain LTTE chief V Prabhakaran had made a last ditch attempt to escape to the jungles in the north by breaching the Sri Lankan defence lines during the final phase of the war. Prabhakaran's now detained close aide Gokulan Master, who was with the Tiger chief during the last stage of the war three months back, disclosed this during interrogation. more..

Aug 27 (CI) Sri Lanka tightened the chokehold on New Zealand, picking up three wickets in the post-tea session. While the seamers had inflicted the damage before tea, the spinners pinned the visitors down after the break, as Muttiah Muralitharan and Rangana Herath exploited the turning track well. Ross Taylor was the lone bright spot for New Zealand as he held fort with a defiant 70, but the hosts were truly well on top for the second day running. more..

Aug 27 (DM) Presidential Advisor Vasudeva Nanayakkara had requested President Mahinda Rajapaksa to appoint a special commission to conduct inquiries into all the controversial privatization deals to ascertain whether there was any misappropriation of public funds in the process. Mr. Nanayakkara who took legal action against the privatization deals of Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation and the Lanka Marine Service, more..

Aug 28 (TOI) Many Sri Lankans are still jubilant from defeating the Tamil Tigers, a heinous terror group that caused immeasurable suffering during its violent 30-year struggle for an independent Tamil homeland in northern Sri Lanka. President Mahinda Rajapaksa showed leadership and resolve in crushing the Tigers. Now he must heal the wounds of war that affect Tamil and Sinhalese alike. more..

Aug 28 (LG) JVP Leader Somawansa Amarasinghe has sought the abolition of the Executive Presidency. The net result of such an abolition would be to enable small parties to dictate to the Government elected by the majority. Amarasinghe’s demand appears to be aimed at restoring, once again, the undemocratic dominance of small parties over bigger parties, a political process that came into prominence with more..

Aug 28 (LT) SP Lakshman Cooray who is under police custody for his connections with the LTTE has been instrumental in getting LTTE suspects arrested by Gampaha Police released state reports. How this SP who had acted to get information regarding LTTE suspects arrested by police stations in Colombo District became rich so suddenly was a puzzle for police authorities. Police investigations have revealed that the SP had been involved in more..

Aug 28 (MoD) The outgoing Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Palitha Kohona paid a courtesy call to Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Thursday. Dr. Kohona will be assuming duties as the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, New York. Secretary Defence greeted Dr. Kohona at the Ministry of Defence premises and also presented a memento of appreciation to the former Foreign Secretary. more..

Aug 28 (LNW) The President decided to cancel his intended visit to the US along with a jumbo contingent of 80 persons following a communication received by senior officials of the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry from the US embassy officials in Colombo that it would not be able to issue visas to all the delegates who had applied for a US visa. The US embassy in Colombo had informed the Foreign Ministry that it could not issue visas to some delegates after considering their background and actions. more..

Aug 28 (LNW) The President has taken steps to lease out the Matara Rest House building at a monthly price of Rs. 88,000 for a period of 33 years to the cook named Sarath Kandambi, who prepares meals for the Rajapakses and the Medamulana Walawwa. Although the Matara Rest House building belongs to the Urban Development Authority, the land on which it is situated belongs to the Matara Urban Council. more..

Aug 28 (CI) Don Bradman hit just six sixes in his Test career. Dennis Compton had three. Colin Cowdrey cleared the ropes 13 times in 114 Tests. Thilan Samaraweera is in good company, and he knows it. Its sign of the position he has reached in the Sri Lankan team, after an outstanding last 18 months with the bat, when Samaraweera replies to a question about his newfound penchant for sixes more..

Aug 28 (LG) Sri Lanka takes over the chairmanship of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue. As we look to expand connectivity and enhance development in the Asian Region, Sri Lanka assuming the chair of this grouping at this juncture, comes in wake of the defeat of terrorism and due recognition of the ability to engage in such a task. At the 6th Ministerial Meeting of the grouping in Seoul, it was decided that Sri Lanka assumes the chair and provide leadership to this important organization. more..

Aug 28 (CI) By the end of a bewildering day's play, the quandaries for New Zealand were plain for all to see. Looking back at the hour after lunch, when - aided by an imploding tail - they took five wickets for 27 runs and kept the total to 416 when 500 seemed a certainty, it was frustrating to see them slip at the top and lose two wickets in the last half hour to leave Ross Taylor high and dry. more..

Aug 28 (GDI) Cabinet granted approval to a memorandum submitted by Minister of Mass media and Information and Minister of Investment Promotion and Enterprises Development Anura Priyadarshana Yapa to facilitate the promotion of investment in to the until 30th of June 2011 enabling the BOI to facilitate the promotion of investment into the Northern and Eastern Province and ensure the successful completion of the programme. more..

Aug 28 (GDI) Media and Information Minister, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa today stressed that the government will not stifle media freedom as claimed by the UNP in its propaganda campaign. The minister noted that the government has given the fullest freedom to the media and had no intention to curb such freedom. He was responding to queries made by media men at today weekly cabinet press briefing more..

Aug 28 (GDI) Marking another historic achievement in the Northern Development drive the Government today inaugurated a massive cultivation project in the Jaffna peninsula with cultivation of 1124 acres of Paddy lands. This project falls under the Government’s Uthuru Wasanthaya (Vadakkin Vasantham) development progremme is an initiative of the Presidential Task Force chaired by Parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa. more..

Aug 28 (LBO) Sri Lankan Airlines group has lost 9.99 billion rupees in the year to March 2009, down from a profit of 4.9 billion rupees a year earlier as revenue fell amid a global downturn and falling tourism arrivals at home. The company lost 5.8 billion rupees in the first quarter as shortly after the government terminated a management agreement with Emirates Airlines. Revenues fell 7.2 billion rupees from 74.2 billion rupees. more..

Aug 28 (SOS) An SOS Children's Villages' temporary care project has been providing shelter for 161 unaccompanied children in Chettikulum in war-ravaged northern Sri Lanka since 19 August. The Minister of Child Development and Women’s Empowerment, Ms Sumedha G. Jayasena, officially opened the temporary care centre in the presence of numerous dignitaries and guests of honour. more..

Aug 28 (LeN) Gampaha District judge, Saman Wickremaarachi found former SSP Douglas Peiris and five other Police officers guilty and sentenced them to five years’ rigorous imprisonment in the widely publicized Batalanda case of wrongful imprisonment and abduction of two students with intent to murder. Udayachandra Liyanage and Rathnachandra Liyanage were two brothers who were taken from their residence at Kanduboda, Delgoda on 7th July 1989, with intent to murder. more..

Aug 28 (SDC) Reiterating its commitment to the welfare of the civilians who have been victims of the conflict and are now kept in Government controlled camps in the North, Switzerland has donated a 3rd stock of urgently required medical supplies to be distributed to health facilities treating IDP through the Ministry of Health (MoH). The consignment of drugs, mainly anti-biotics worth Rs. 7.1 million, more..

Aug 28 (Hindu) A ten-day exhibition showcasing traditional art and modern handicrafts that are symbolic of Sri Lanka’s scenic beauty and its multi-ethnic and multi-cultural diversity is now on here at Dilli Haat opposite INA Market. Titled “Shilpa Sri Lanka-2009”, the show is being hosted by the National Crafts Council of Sri Lanka in association with the Sri Lankan High Commission in India, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and more..

Aug 28 (Hindu) The Supreme Court has said that war-displaced persons in government-run camps should be allowed to go if they are non-combatants and have a place to go. The apex court made the observation when a petition filed on behalf of five IDPs was taken up recently. The court observed that if 13-year-old Sopika Surendranathan and her parents, who were confined in the IDP camps, had a place to go and if their next-of-kin were prepared to take them, there was no reason for more..

Aug 28 (AT) Almost all major political parties have handed over their nomination papers to the respective district secretariats for the Sri Lanka’s Southern Provincial Council elections, which is due in early October. Deadline for the nominations is 12.00 noon today and acceptance the nominations from independent groups were closed yesterday noon. The Elections Secretariat in Colombo says that the day of the election would be announced only after the nominations - today. more..

Aug 28 (AT) According to a news report (Bloomberg) dated 27 August 2009, Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa has stated mine clearance would determine the pace of that settlement of IDPs in the Vanni. This statement has to be examined against two positions. The first is what some observers say is the undertaking given by the government to India during the visit of Security advisor Menon and the former Foreign Secretary of India soon after the LTTE was defeated more..

Aug 28 (National) Sri Lanka’s military spent years in the 1980s and 1990s being trained by the world’s elite special forces in counterinsurgency tactics. Now it is being asked to return the favour after employing new, if brutal, strategies to defeat Tamil guerrillas in May. “Sri Lanka has become a textbook case for defence academies and military colleges all over the world following the defeat of the rebels,” more..

Aug 28 (AT) Minister of Justice and Law Reforms, Milinda Moragoda met with the Lord Peter Mandelson, the First Secretary of State, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, President of the Board of Trade, Lord President of the Council, and former European Commissioner for Trade today during his working visit to the United Kingdom this week. He was able to exchange ideas with Lord Mandelson on more..

Aug 28 (wsws) The government announced a Parliamentary Elections Amendments Bill on August 6 that will impose tough new restrictions on existing political parties and the formation of new ones. The debate in parliament has been delayed following objections by several parties to sections of the legislation. In tabling the Bill, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake claimed its purpose was to eliminate a surfeit of non-functional parties that hampered the electoral process. more..

Aug 28 (TC) As concerned citizens and members of civil society organisations committed to the protection and defence of human rights and democracy in Sri Lanka, we are gravely disturbed at the most recent attempt to intimidate Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Director, Centre for Policy Alternatives through a death threat by letter posted to his home. We condemn it unreservedly. more..

Aug 28 (GDI) The Ministry of Public Administration will shortly launch a project to give 10,000 houses for public servants on a concessionary basis in Galle, Kundasale, Homagama, Ragama and Kelaniya, Minister of Public Administration Dr. Sarath Amunugama said. He pointed out that the State employees will be provided with these houses which will be constructed at all those locations. more..

Aug 28 (GDI) Sri Lanka’s first ever Eco Tourist Village has now been established at Ampitigala in Bulathsinhala. More Eco Tourist Villages throughout the island are expected to come up shortly.. The Ministry of Tourism has spent eight million rupees for this new project at Bulathsinhala. The main objective of this project is to educate both local and foreign tourists on ancient sites and traditions of various locations in the country. more..

Aug 28 (LG) The news in the Channel 4 alleging war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan soldiers have raised barrage of questions about the confrontational attitude of the Sri Lankan government to counter the news. The first source to counter the news was the Sri Lankan High Commission in London. It told the Channel 4 News: "The High Commission has noted that in many instances in the past, various media institutions used doctored videos, photographs and documents to defame the Sri Lankan Government and armed forces. more..

Aug 28 (LT) The residence of renowned actress Malini Fonseka at Malabe has been broken into and cash and jewellery worth Rs.1 million had been stolen says police. According to the complaint lodged by Ms. Malini Fonseka her house had been broken into while she was away and the police are carrying out investigations to find out any finger prints said police spokesman Nimal Mediwaka. more..

Aug 28 (GDI) The Ministry of Highways and Road Development has taken steps to implement several road development projects countrywide. It is proposed to establish flyovers at Rajagiriya, Mahabage, Ja-Ela and several other areas , ministry sources said. The construction work of the Colombo Katunayake highway is now in progress. A sum of 300 million dollars will be spent for this purpose and it is expected to be completed within three years. more..

Aug 28 (GDI) As nominations close at noon today, the election fever is very likely to spread fast in the South where major political parties and independent groups enter the fray to contest the upcoming polls to the Southern Provincial Council. Cabinet Spokesman, Anura Priyadharshana Yapa on Thursday expressed confidence that the UPFA would win a great manner that would enter the records of the political history in the South. more..

Aug 28 (GDI) Plans are mootedt to resume work on the Colombo Outer Circle Road .The project will encourage foreign investors and also reduce costs of operating vehicles. The construction work on the Outer Colombo Circular Road will resume soon. It would be a link between the North and the South, the Ministry of Highways revealed. The length of the road is 29 kilometres. The work would be completed in three phases. more..

Aug 28 (LT) The JVP has challenged President Mahinda Rajapakse for an open debate regarding the executive presidential system. The party states the debate should be held between President Mahinda Rajapakse who signed an agreement with the JVP in 2005 and the General Secretary of the JVP Tilvin Silva who was the other signatory for the agreement. If the President is too busy to participate in the debate more..

Aug 28 (LT) Members of Aluvihare generation would take various decisions to strengthen President Mahinda Rajapakse’s hands at the forthcoming elections says Leader of the Opposition of Matale Municipal Council Duljith Aluvihare. Mr. Aluvihare said members of Aluvihare generation would never forget President Mahinda Rajapakse visiting his father, late Alick Aluvihare, when he was indisposed and at the three months alms giving in his memory. more..

Aug 28 (LT) Very reliable sources have indicated that SSP Lashman Cooray, who is in police custody over his connections with LTTE terrorist organization, has had very close relations with a very senior politician of the government who is aspiring for the prime minister’s post states ‘Lanka Irida’, the Sinhalese weekend paper. The politician was instrumental in SSP Cooray getting a promotion and also getting a transfer from Jaffna to Gampaha District. more..

Aug 28 (LT) Employees of Ceylon Electricity Board have launched a one day token strike today demanding the salary increment due to them this year. According to the trade unions of the CEB the strike would continue from midnight yesterday to midnight today. Mr. Ranjan Jayalal, Member of the Steering Committee of the Combined CEB Unions says the daily work at the head office of the CEB and various depots in the island would not be carried out today. more..

Aug 28 (LT) ‘Mahinda Rajapakse was brought to power amidst chanting of ‘Jaya Pirith’ and after defeating the representative of foreign forces not to divide the country or to create a dictatorial regime. However, if Mahinda Rajapaske is attempting such a path the Bhikkus who chanted ‘Jaya Pirith’ could also create a social standpoint that would necessitate the same Bhikkus to mark the end of this government by more..

Aug 28 (LP) The “Sayurala” (Ocean Waves) vessel of the Sri Lanka Navy was commissioned today at the Sri Lanka Navy Dockyard in Trincomalee. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse was the Chief Guest at the ceremony held this morning. The Navy obtained this ship from India. The length of the vessel 74.10m and breath of 11.40m, it has a speed of a maximum 21.5 Knots. Its draught is 3.58m maximum. more..

Aug 28 (MoD) Despite relentless diabolic attempts by some corrupt journalists in own 'exile' and propaganda stunts staged by unpopular politicians, to distance Sri Lanka's progressive resettlement and development in the liberated areas at Wanni and North, security forces are continuing clearing LTTE laid large mine fields and ammunition and explosive dumps, both at Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu. more..

Aug 28 (LP) According to latest reports over 28% of the differently abled (Disable) in the country are now employed. In a research conducted by the Ministry in Matale, Kurunegala, Hambanthota, Galle and Anuradhapura Districts, it was revealed that 07% of the disabled in the areas are now being educated. The research also revealed that over 34% of the disabled are motionless (unable to move their limbs) where as 16% are maladjusted more..

Aug 28 (Reuters) Sri Lanka's year-on-year consumer price inflation is expected to have risen for a second straight month in August due to increased consumer demand and the impact of a fuel price increase last month. The median forecast of nine analysts predicted August consumer prices will have risen to 1.8 percent, compared to 1.1 percent in July. They hit a record low of 0.9 percent in May. more..

Aug 28 (LP) The “Emirates Village” being constructed in the Athnawala area in Warakapola is in its final phase said Minister of Labour and Manpower Athauda Senivirathne. The village which consists of all facilities will be declared open within the next two months. The Minister said this addressing the media after a visit to the construction site yesterday. The financial support for the construction of the village was provided by more..

Aug 28 (DN) Selvasannithi Temple dedicated to Lord Muruka is situated at Thondaimmannaru in Vadamaradchy in the district of Jaffna and the chariot festival of this temple will be held on September 3rd and the water-cutting ceremony on September 4. The Hindu temples are intended to instruct people in the art of removing the veil of attachment that covers their hearts. Thus, the renowned poet Thiagarajah cried in the temple of Thiruppathi "O! remove the veil within me, the veil of pride and hate. more..

Aug 28 (DN) The Spices and Allied Products Producers and Traders’ Association (SAPPTA) has been working closely with producers and traders to improve the quality of products as there is a growing demand for our spices in the international market, said the Association’s past Chairman M.C.M. Zarook. We should improve the crop quantity if the rains come in September and October. more..