Indo-Lanka to broaden defence dialogues

  Indian Defence Secretary Pradeep Kumar says that the country will provide a large number of Sri Lankan defence personnel with opportunities to train in India in the future. During his meet with President Mahinda Rajapaksa today he also emphasized on the need to spread the current defence dialogues between the nations to ground and air forces.

England retain the Ashes with fourth test victory

England ensured the Ashes would be returning home with them after they completed an innings and 157-run victory in Melbourne.

The comprehensive victory - with Australia finally bowled out for 258 - means England will head to the final Test in Sydney with a 2-1 lead and the knowledge that they have secured the Ashes Down Under for the first time since the 1986-87 tour.

Greshan Ananda passes away

Popular singer and song writer Greshan Ananda passed away early this morning in the Intensive Care Unit of the National Hospital. The 52 year old music veteran was receiving treatment for a number of illnesses from the 22nd of this month. Source by: Daily mirror

Sri Lanka Sees a Significant Increase in British Tourists - { Self-catering-breaks.com }

Reports now show that Sri Lanka has seen a significant increase in tourist arrivals in the country this year when compared to figures from last year. This is according to statistics that were published by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.

Probe both sides in Sri Lanka - Boston Globe

NO FOREIGN leader has fared worse in the cables released by WikiLeaks than Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who has been resisting calls for an international inquiry into possible war crimes committed when Sri Lankan troops wiped out the secessionist Tamil Tigers in May 2009.

Sri Lanka crunches numbers cheaply - The Australian

Now Sri Lanka is striving to capitalise on its own bountiful resource: a mountain of cheap accountants.
For three decades the island nation was plagued by a civil war, which ended last year when government troops finally vanquished the separatist Tamil Tigers.

Sri Lanka gets Indian help for port, airport development

India is helping Sri Lanka to revive commercial operations at a port and airport in the island's north to re-establish regional trade and communications links, a statement said.
The High Commission of India said Defence Secretary of India, Pradeep Kumar, had discussed the projects during a three-day visit to Sri Lanka from 27-29 December 2010.

40,000 prostitutes in the country

There are around 200,000 prostitute seekers and around 40,000 prostitutes in the country, according to a survey, Dr. Sujatha Samarakoon attached to the AIDS prevention unit of the Health Ministry said.

Internet Service Providers cheating on download speeds - TRC

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) released a set of broadband download speed test results conducted in September 2010, which showed that fixed broadband services were providing speeds far less than the advertised rates.

Sri Lanka warns spread of AH1N1 - Xinhua

COLOMBO, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's health authorities said Sunday that immediate orders have been placed in order to prevent the spread of AH1N1 virus commonly known as Swine flu.

Revoke ban on LTTE, says VCK - Deccan Chronicle

Dec. 26: The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) has called upon the Centre and the US to revoke the ban on the LTTE. A resolution adopted at the party’s Tamils’ sovereignty conference (Tami-zhar Iraiyaanmai Maanadu) at suburban Maraimalainagar here Sunday evening with its chief Thol Thirumavalavan in chair, urged the Centre to take steps to ensure non-governmental organisations are involved in the rehabilitation and resettlement of lakhs of internally displaced Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Forty marooned in Somawathi

Forty persons including a Buddhist monk, twenty Army personnel and sixteen members of the Civil Defence Force have been marooned in the sacred site of Somawathi Temple, police said. The area has been flooded by the surging waters of Periya Aru.

An indelible journey

The restored train that got swept away by waves when the tsunami hit the country on December 26, 2004 made a symbolic journey today morning to the spot where more than 1,270 passengers on the train died. The sixth anniversary of the tsunami that claimed the lives of more than 50,000 people was commemorated today (December 26) with a host of religious events and a two-minute silence was observed throughout Sri Lanka at 9.25 a.m.

Prayers, silence mark tsunami anniversary

Prayers meetings and a two-minute nation-wide silence marked the sixth anniversary of the devastating Boxing Day tsunami that killed thousands and rendered many more homeless in Sri Lanka. The killer wave, which originated off the Indonesian coast, first struck the east coast of Sri Lanka at around
9-25 a.m. on December 26, in 2004. Before the waves receded, more than 35000 people were swept away. Another 500000 lost their homes and livelihood. An estimated 100000 houses were destroyed in the disaster that even flooded parts of Colombo on the west coast.

Sri Lankan Buddha Statues Survive Tsunami - PHOTOS

In Sri Lanka, a new kind of landmark is captivating the people- statues of Buddhas standing untouched amidst debris and rubble left behind by the recent tsunami. Some see the phenomena as a warning.
“The people are not living according to religious virtues,” said Sumana, a Buddhist monk in an interview with the Associated Press (AP). “Nature has given them some punishment because they are not following the path of the Lord Buddha. The people have to learn their lesson.”

Young Koreans head to military amid tensions - CNN

Seoul, South Korea (CNN) -- Weeks after North Korea's attack on Yeonpyeong Island, the mood is still tense on the streets of Seoul, especially following the largest ever winter live-fire drill and civil defense exercise.

UN panel broader than dealing with LLRC

The United Nations says that its Expert Panel would deal with other parties in addition to the LLRC. The Panel’s work is broader than simply dealing with the LLRC, Farhan Haq Acting Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-Genera said at a Media Briefing in New York yesterday.

External Affairs Ministry denies apologizing to Nepal

External Affairs Ministry Spokesman, Bandula Jayasekera denied media reports that Deputy Minister Neomal Perera had apologized to Nepalese Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal over the allegedly false statement made by External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris regarding Nepal’s request for Sri Lanka’s intervention in resolving its political crisis.

Onions, coconuts and the politics of taste in S.Asia - Lanka Business Online

NEW DELHI, December 24, 2010 (AFP) - Food and politics have always been closely intertwined in the developing countries of South Asia, but when national taste buds are at stake the relationship can become especially volatile.

Interim working committee for UNP

The UNP has decided to appoint an interim working committee effective from January 1, until office bearers are appointed under the new constitution enacted at the recent convention.

Japan lauds Lanka's political stability and development strategies

 Members of the Japan-Sri Lanka Friendship Parliamentary Group during a meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday (22) lauded Sri Lanka's political stability and development strategies. They pledged their support to Sri Lanka in the fields of tourism and investment.

Colombo steps up fight against defamation - The Hindu

Sri Lanka has stepped up efforts to counter the propaganda war unleashed by the Tamil diaspora about the condition of their brethren on the island and allegations of war crimes.

Sri Lanka can win WC if selectors aren’t influenced - Ranatunga [ VIDEO ]

Sri Lanka can easily win the 2011 World Cup if the selection process is not interfered with by political forces, former World Cup winning Captain, MP Arjuna Ranatunga told Ada Derana.

Lanka not doing enough for Tamils, will ensure justice - Rahul Gandhi

Voicing concern over Sri Lanka government “not doing enough” for the Tamils there, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said he would ensure that they get justice, Indian Media reports.

VIDEO: Galle Road caves-in again

A part of the Galle Road near the Roxy Cinema in Wellawatte caved-in again today, our reporter at the scene confirms. This same section caved-in on May 4, 2007 and was under heavy repairs. According to reports the road had given way while a three-wheeler was going over the area however no injuries have been reported.

Alcohol and Cigarette users, pay for medical treatment

The Ministry of Health has taken another valuable step to encourage a drop in people's consumption of alcohol and cigarettes. Patients diagnosed with diseases caused due to alcohol consumption and smoking will have to pay for their treatment at Government hospitals from January 1 2011, the Health Ministry reiterated yesterday.

20 govt. MPs discussing with UNP

UNP MP Harin Fernando told a news conference a short while ago that nearly 20 government MPs including senior ministers are currently in discussion with the party and predicted there would be many activities in the coming year.

Tsunami drill today at 3.00 p.m.

There will be a Tsunami drill today (December 22) at 3.00 p.m. Minister of Disaster Management Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Sachin closing in on Sangakkara

Sachin Tendulkar has closed the gap on Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara to just two ratings points at the top of the Reliance Mobile ICC Test Rankings following his 50th Test century in the Centurion Test which finished on Monday.

President says "terrorists" defaming Sri Lanka from abroad - M&C

Colombo – President Mahinda Rajapaksa said Tuesday that defeated 'terrorist' elements abroad were defaming Sri Lanka.
His comments at a military academy came less than two weeks after he cancelled an address at the Oxford Union in London because of protests by the Tamil ethnic minority in London.

Necklace makes Tamil woman suspect in Canada

Toronto, Dec 22 (IANS) Canadian authorities say that a Sri Lankan Tamil woman who entered the country aboard the smuggling ship MV Sun Sea in August is linked to the Tamil Tigers. The human smuggling ship had brought 492 Sri Lankan Tamils to Vancouver from Thailand after allegedly charging up to $50,000 from each of them.

Not only army, not only us but also LTTE forcibly recruited during war – Karuna

Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna, the Deputy Minister of Resettlement of the Rajapaksa Administration and former LTTE commander in the East, spoke to Ranga Jayasuriya of Lakbimanews on wide-ranging issues: about allegations of extortion levelled against groups loyal to him, diaspora tactics, regrouping of the LTTE and how Prabhakaran learnt his military tactics from movies.

SL wins seat on CRC

Sri Lanka’s candidate for the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child Dr. (Mrs) Hiranthi Wijemanne has been appointed to the Committee, on Tuesday. She was one of nine Committee members appointed from a pool of 20 candidates. (DS) Source by: daily mirror

US lawmakers urge Sri Lanka rights probe - AFP

WASHINGTON — Dozens of US lawmakers on Friday urged a global probe into alleged rights violations by Sri Lanka in the last stages of its civil war, saying Colombo's own efforts do not ensure accountability.
In letters to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, 17 senators and 30 members of the House of Representatives called for the United States to seek a United Nations role investigating last year's finale of the Tamil Tiger insurgency.

India in dire straits against South Africa

South African fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel ripped apart the Indian batting on the rain-affected opening day of the first cricket Test here Thursday.
Steyn (3/34) and Morkel (4/20) reveled in helpful conditions as India were left struggling at 136 for nine in the first innings after just 38.1 overs of play was possible, before bad light stopped play at the Super Sport Park.
Indian batsmen failed to get the measure of the track and at the close of play, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was batting on 33 in the company of debutant Jaydev Unadkat, who was on one.

Expert Panel should not be allowed to enter the country - Wimal -- AUDIO --

If the Expert Panel, appointed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to probe in to Sri Lanka’s so called human right violations is preparing visit Sri Lanka to carryout investigations, then they should not be given any space to do so, says Wimal Weerawansa.

UN Expert Panel to visit Sri Lanka to meet LLRC - Ban

The Panel of Experts appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to probe Sri Lanka’s accountability issues plans to visit the country and meet with Sri Lanka’s Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission, the UN chief has said.

WB accelerating inclusive growth for Sri Lanka to become the Wonder of Asia: WB Managing Director

The World Bank stands ready to collaborate with the Government as they implement the Mahinda Chintana and is willing to increase its lending envelope and scale-up knowledge services to help support the ambitious development plans, says Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Managing Director, The World Bank.

Brett Lee recalled for 2011 World Cup

SYDNEY: Former Test fast bowler Brett Lee was included in Australia’s initial 30-man squad for next year’s World Cup, which was announced by Cricket Australia on Friday.

Deadline for UN Panel extended

The deadline for the submission to the UN Panel of Experts appointed by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Sri Lanka to look into alleged violations of international law will be extended, UN acting Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq said.

The latest attraction at the Dehiwala zoo - VIDEO

The newest attraction at the Dehiwala zoo is a new-born Orang-utan who was introduced to the public today.
The public will also have an opportunity to propose a name for the baby Orang-utan for which a suggestion box has been kept at the zoo.

Pradeep gives Sri Lanka first gold in Asian Para Games

UGGL Denapathirannehelage Pradeep won Sri Lanka’s first gold of the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Para Games in the Men’s 400m T46 in 51.83 on Thursday (December 17). This brings the tally of Sri Lanka’s medals to 04 (1 Gold, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze).

Did US prefer Fonseka over Rajapaksa? - Wikileaks

According to the latest Wikileaks cable released by the Guardian UK newspaper, US Ambassador in Colombo Patricia Butenis has said that if the then Opposition Presidential Candidate Sarath Fonseka had won, ‘could radically alter the political context of our assessment of GSL progress on key issues’.

ICC World Cup, 2011 (Feb 19 - Apr 02) Match Schedule

Cricket Schedule of ICC World Cup 2011. Fixtures of ICC World Cup 2011 has been announced. The first schedule match of ICC World Cup 2011 between India vs Bangladesh begins Feb 19, 2011 onwards. Keep viewing CriSchedule for latest updates on Cricket Schedule and Fixtures of upcoming ICC World Cup 2011.

Sri Lanka's Economy Expands 8%, Faster Than Expected - BusinessWeek

Dec. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Sri Lanka’s economy expanded faster than analysts estimated, stoking price pressures that may force the central bank to raise interest rates.

Gross domestic product rose 8 percent in the three months ended Sept. 30 from a year earlier after advancing 8.5 percent in the previous quarter, the statistics department said in a statement in Colombo today. The median of five estimates in a Bloomberg News survey was for a 7.6 percent gain.

Thamilchelvan statue removed

The External Affairs Ministry has learnt that the statue, of former LTTE Political wing leader Thamilchelvan erected in a French Town, has been removed from the place it was first erected.

Sri Lanka becomes the Indian Ocean Regional Hub of major Hotel Chains

With tourism becoming a major economic activity in the country world class international hotel chains have come forward to make Sri Lanka their regional hub in the Indian Ocean Region.    Six Senses Resorts and Spas is to establish its regional headquarters in Colombo to own and manage up to 200 million dollars in leisure assets in the region.

LTTE plans to attack Singh

The Indian Intelligence Bureau has issued alert this evening that LTTE is planning to assassinate Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Indian media reports said.

The LTTE, which is almost on the verge of a wipe out, is trying to regroup and planning to launch spectacular strikes on high-profile targets like Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Home Minister P Chidambaram and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

Murali's a shot putter and javelin thrower, his wickets were run-outs - Bedi

Former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi has once again lashed out at Muthiah Muralitharan and Harbhajan Singh.

"I called him (Murali) a javelin thrower. I can call him a shot-putter. People say that he has got 800 wickets. I would rather say that it's 800 run-outs!" said a sarcastic Bedi on Tuesday during a panel discussion at the RSD Summit on World Cricket, organised in the memory of late Raj Singh Dungarpur.

Sri Lanka Tourism welcomes the 600,000th tourist for 2010

Officials of Sri Lanka Tourism welcomed Mr. Nick Davis, CEO of Merchant Maritime Warfare Centre, UK -the 600,00th tourist to Sri Lanka in 2010 and his partner Ms.Layla Dayani of UK at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

Liam Fox's Sri Lanka trip makes Foreign Office furious - The Guardian

Liam Fox, the defence secretary, is planning to defy the Foreign Office by making a personal visit to Sri Lanka this weekend to deliver a speech in honour of a former foreign minister.

Jayasuriya, Vaas in preliminary WC squad - The Hindu

Sri Lanka picked veterans Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas in a preliminary squad for next year’s World Cup.

Ships starts calling at Ruhunu Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port

Ruhunu Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa port gets listed for international shipping routes. Two International cargo shipping lines route their shipping network through this new harbor from December 18. Both these ships will transport fertilizer.

The first ship from China will call over on December 18 transporting 7,500 tons fertilizer, and will be stationed at the Rajapaksa port for three days. The second ship, from South East Asia will call over on December 23 and would be in the Port for four days. This ship will also transport fertilizer as loose cargo in packed plastic bags ready for use. The fertilizer transported by these two ships is to be distributed in the Southern, Uva and Central provinces.

A new direction - PHOTOS

The new UNP Constitution was adopted at the UNP convention this morning. The picture shows UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe pointing at the direction of Hambantota UNP MP Sajith Premadasa during the UNP convention.

No guarantee against attacks

JEDDAH: Ships passing through the Gulf of Aden off the Somali coast still stand the risk of being attacked by pirates, said Kamal Muhammad Arri, the Saudi owner of the recently-released oil tanker MT Al-Nisr Al-Saudi at a press conference in Jeddah on Saturday night.

Sri Lanka's national anthem now only in Sinhala; Tamil version out - Hindustan Times

The Sri Lankan cabinet has mandated the Sinhala version of the national anthem instead of a Tamil version used in some parts of the country, a media report said. The move will mean that the Tamil version of the anthem will no longer be played at any official or state functions, the Sunday Times
reported. The decision was taken on Wednesday.

If individuals without any aim participate in the Convention,court action will be the result –warns Ranil

The UNP leaders who alleged that the injunction order sought from Court yesterday (10) to stall the UNP special convention scheduled for tomorrow (12) was in pursuance of a Govt. contract have requested those who have received official invitations for the convention to be present at the Sri Kotha at 9.30 a.m. and unanimously support the ratification of the new party constitution.

UNP adopts new constitution to topple Lanka govt - MSN India

Colombo, Dec 12 (PTI) Sri Lanka''s main opposition, United National Party (UNP), has adopted a new constitution aimed at toppling the government at the earliest given opportunity.

Sri Lanka main opposition's party convention to ratify new constitution today - PHOTO

Dec 12, Colombo: Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party commenced its special convention under the patronage of its leader Ranil Wickremasinghe this morning at the Sirikotha party headquarters in Pita Kotte.

India and Sri Lanka step naval cooperation - Hindustan Times

India and Sri Lanka on Friday continued to step up defence cooperation with navy chief admiral Nirmal Verma leading two Indian naval ships to participate in Sri Lanka navy's diamond jubilee celebration. Indian naval ships Mysore, the largest indigenously built largest destroyer of the Indian navy
and Tarangini a sail training ship took part in the celebrations, which began on Wednesday. These two ships along with Indian navy's Tir, Shardul and Indian Coast Guard Ship Varuna had earlier provided extensive training to Sri Lankan Navy cadets in October.

Lankan KIK to throw challenge at multinational giant

Colombo, December 04, 2010: Elephant House, one of Sri Lanka’s strongest brands and a household name for over 100 years, has always prided itself at keeping their customer in focus and as such has evolved itself to always be innovative and current whilst responding to the needs of the time.

Prince Charles's car attacked by London protesters - Reuters [ VIDEO ]

(Reuters) - A car carrying Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla was on Thursday attacked by protesters in London demonstrating against higher student fees, a spokesman for the prince said.

Sri Lanka to use Natural Gas to meet energy needs

Sri Lanka is planning to use Natural Gas as an energy source to meet the country's ever increasing needs for power and energy.

World Cup venue in Hambantota 22 days before ICC deadline - PHOTOS

The Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium (a/k/a Suriyawewa International Cricket Stadium) in the southern district of Hambantota will host two World Cup fixtures during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. With a capacity of 35,000 and measuring 200 meters by 200 meters, the stadium is the largest on the island.