SRI LANKAN NEWS

Sri Lanka to uplift healthcare facilities in Jaffna

2009-08-24T13:06:00.007+05:30

People of the Jaffna District in Northern Sri Lanka are to receive substantially better healthcare facilities, the government said yesterday.

Year five scholarship examination ends successfully

2009-08-24T13:06:00.006+05:30

The year five scholarship examination was successfully held on Sunday(23 Aug). Over 295 thousand candidates sat for the examination in 2,602 centres Islandwide.

Navy Seva Vanitha felicitates Parents of Naval Heroes

2009-08-24T13:06:00.005+05:30

With a view to honour and felicitate the surviving parents of married Naval heroes, the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Sri Lanka Navy, under the patronage of its President Mrs. Malathie Samarasinghe, conducted a felicitation programme (Navika Weera Mapiya Upahara) at SLNS Pandukabhaya in Poonewa, Medawachchiya on the 22nd of August 2009.

New CM of Uva Province to assume duties on next Wednesday

2009-08-24T13:06:00.004+05:30

The newly elected Chief Minster of the Uva Province, Shashendra Rajapaksa is to assume duties on next Wednesday, 26th of this month at the office of the Chief Minister in the Badulla city.

Fire destroys 20 houses in Sri Lanka hill country

2009-08-24T13:06:00.003+05:30

A sudden fire that broke out yeterday evening in Lindula area of Talawakele in Sri Lanka hill country destroyed nearly 20 houses, police reported.

'Murali goes beyond the 15-degree'

2009-08-24T13:06:00.002+05:30

Mark Richardson, the former New Zealand Test opener, has reopened the question over Muttiah Muralitharan's bowling action by saying that he was convinced many of his deliveries were well beyond the 15-degree allowance approved by lawmakers. Richardson said he did not blame Murali for the situation but felt the ICC was not doing enough to police throwing in cricket. New Zealand are touring Sri Lanka for two Tests, two Twenty20s and an ODI tri-series.

Harmful effects of Mercury in teeth

2009-08-24T13:06:00.001+05:30

"Dental amalgams contain mercury, which may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetuses."In the video above I speak with Charles Brown, legal counsel for the Consumers for Dental Choice, which is a nonprofit corporation whose purpose is to educate the public about the health and environmental dangers of mercury fillings, and to ensure more effective government oversight on amalgam.

New Uva PC Ministers appointed

2009-08-20T16:12:00.001+05:30

Ministers of the Uva Provincial Council appointed as follows

Chief Minister Sashindra Rajapaksa- Minister of Finance, Law and Order, Education, Provincial Council, Cultural affairs, Transport, Land, Irrigation, Economic and Rural Infrastructure Development and Construction.
Minister Anura Vidanagama – Minister of Agriculture and Agrarian Services, Fresh Water Fisheries, Environmental and Cultural Affairs.

Minister Kumarasiri Rathnayake – Minister of Road Development, Housing, Consumer Affairs and Cooperatives.

Minister A.M. Buddhdasa – Minister of Health, Indigenous Medicine, Employment and Women’s Affairs.

Minister Sendil Thondaman – Minister of Youth Affairs, Sports, Social Welfare, Infrastructure Development, Power and Energy, Textiles.

Tri-series: schedule changed

2009-08-20T14:58:00.014+05:30

India’s cricket chiefs have forced a change in next month’s tri-series in Sri Lanka that will leave Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men playing two grueling back-to-back matches. The Indians were originally scheduled to play New Zealand on September 10 and host Sri Lanka two days later on September 12 in the preliminary stage of the series in Colombo.

"Sith Ru Udana" art exhibition opens in Colombo

2009-08-20T14:58:00.010+05:30

Major General Jagath Alwis opened the "Sith Ru Udana", the exhibition of paintings and creative pottery designs of Kusum Mangalika at the Auditorium of President's Security Division, Colombo on Tuesday, Aug 18th.

Nominations for Southern PC begin tomorrow

2009-08-20T14:58:00.008+05:30

Nominations are invited from political parties for the forthcoming Southern Provincial Council election beginning tomorrow (21).

Archaeological site conservation project

2009-08-20T14:58:00.006+05:30

The Department of Archeology will launch 51 fresh projects within this year to excavate ancient sites and to preserve sites with archeological values, the Department said.

Electricity projects in North

2009-08-20T14:58:00.004+05:30

Parliament yesterday approved a supplementary estimate for Rs. 2,400 million to start electricity projects as parts of the "Uthuru Wasanthaya" program and for the Norochcholai coal power project.

2009-08-20T14:58:00.001+05:30

The United States announced today that it is contributing an additional $6 million for demining activities Northern Sri Lanka to help expedite the resettlement of the Internally Displaced persons in their original homes.

New Zealand won toss and elected to bat

2009-08-12T12:46:00.013+05:30

New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first in a three-day cricket match against a Sri Lanka Development 11 at Nondescripts Cricket Club in Colombo on Wednesday.

Grade one interviews next week

2009-08-12T12:46:00.010+05:30

Interviews for Grade One admissions for 2010 will commence next week, the Ministry of Education has announced.
“Letters have already been sent to parents regarding the first round of interviews to be held,” said Sri Lal Nonis, Director of National Schools.

Ex-Mobitel employees donate to 'Api Wenuwen Api' housing fund

2009-08-12T12:46:00.008+05:30

Ex-employees of Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel Pvt Ltd, presently working in Abu Dhabi, have made a donation for the "Api Wenuwen Api" housing fund expressing their gratitude to the war heroes who sacrificed lives and limbs to defend the motherland.

National Cadet Corps Girls' Annual Assessment Camp held at Rantembe

2009-08-12T12:46:00.005+05:30

The National Cadet Corps Girls' Annual Assessment camp was held recently at NCC Training Center at Rantembe.

More buses for Jaffna, Point Pedro and Karainagar depots

2009-08-12T12:46:00.003+05:30

The Government has taken necessary actions to expand transport facilities for people of the Northern Province.

All Lankan-powered nanotechnology revolution begins today

2009-08-12T12:46:00.001+05:30

Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) will officially commence scientific work on their nanotechnology projects today, a move that is likely to usher in a silent revolution if plans go right. The institute located in the Export Promotion Zone Biyagama was established in 2008, as a Rs. 450 million joint venture between the government through the Science Foundation and five major corporates, Brandix, MAS Holdings, Loadstar, Dialog and Hayleys.

New BTI bacteria produced in Sri Lanka

2009-08-12T12:46:00.000+05:30

The Health Ministry of Sri Lanka has decided to use two kinds of Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis (BTI) bacteria to prevent the spreading of the dengue virus further.

US donates US$ 15 million worth food aid to Sri Lanka

2009-08-11T17:42:00.003+05:30

The United States is donating food aid worth US$ 15 million to support the early return of the Internally Displaced Persons sheltered in the welfares camps in Northern Sri Lanka.

No tsunami threat to Sri Lanka

2009-08-11T17:42:00.000+05:30

The disaster management centre said there is no tsunami threat to Sri Lanka from the 7.6 magnitude earth quake which stuck the Andaman Islands, in the Indian Ocean early this morning. A tsunami watch had been issued and later cancelled to five other countries.

Twenty six railway stations to be constructed

2009-08-11T17:41:00.007+05:30

The Transport Ministry has succeed in finding sponsors for its flagship project under “Uthuru Mithuru” with twenty six sponsors from the Government and the private sector organizations and companies pledging their support to construct 26 railway stations on the Northern railway line from Omanthai to Kankasanthurai. The project would cost around Rs.400 million.

Vavuniya and Mannar towns get street lamps

2009-08-11T17:41:00.006+05:30

Vavuniya and Mannar towns have been lit with street lamps to light up roads and thoroughfares that were in the dark during the separatists war. A sum of Rs. 9 million has been spent to repair the damaged street lighting under Uthuru Wasanthaya program, the Ceylon Electricity Board Project Manager for the Northern Province Gratian Muthukudaarachchi said. The Government Agents will now take charge of these lamps, he said. He said following the separatists war Urban Councils and Town Councils in the Northern province that maintained street lighting were non-functional.

More Japanese investors welcome to Sri Lanka

2009-08-11T17:41:00.003+05:30

Sri Lanka has a conducive environment for investment and more Japanese investors are welcome to the country. The Government will provide the infrastructure facilities and has embarked on a project to upgrade the available facilities, Minister of Enterprise Development and Investment Promotion Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said at an interactive discussion with the Japanese Ambassador and a Japanese business delegation yesterday in Colombo.

Over 1,200 IDP candidates sit for GCE A/L examination

2009-08-11T17:41:00.002+05:30

Sri Lanka's most competitive university entrance exam, GCE advanced Level (A/L) examination, in the streams of Arts, Commerce and Science subjects, commenced today and will continue until 05th of September.

Northern Province official website, www.np.gov.lk, re-launched

2009-08-11T17:41:00.000+05:30

The official website for the Northern Province, www.np.gov.lk, was re-launched yesterday (10 August) by Governor of the Northern Province, Major General G.A. Chandrasiri.

Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington hosts "Peace Forum"

2009-08-07T19:04:00.002+05:30

A special gathering of peacemakers explored the theme, "A New Vision for Peace in the 21st Century," held at the residence of the Ambassador of Sri Lanka on July 30th 2009 in Washington DC.

Dalada Perahera concludes successfully

2009-08-07T18:32:00.009+05:30

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday extended his profound thanks on behalf of the Government and people to all those involved in the conduct of the first Dalada Perahera since the unification of the country after 30 years, in such grand splendour and it's successful conclusion. The President was speaking after receiving the traditional scroll from the Diyawadana Nilame declaring that the Esala Perahera has been successfully concluded.

Sri Lankan cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara, left, shakes hands with New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori

2009-08-07T18:32:00.008+05:30

Sri Lankan cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara, left, shakes hands with New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori during a media briefing in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009. New Zealand will play two tests and two Twenty20 games with Sri Lanka followed by a tri nation One Day International series with India as the third country.

Schools in Uva Province to be closed to hold PC polls

2009-08-07T18:32:00.004+05:30

Election Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake today said that all the schools in the Uva Province will be closed tomorrow to hold the upcoming provincial council polls. Election Secretariat said the schools in Uva Province are to be used for election activities on August 07th and 08th.

Water Spring found in Madhu area

2009-08-07T18:32:00.003+05:30

A Water Spring spurting 5000 litres of water per minute has been found from the environs of the Madhu Shrine. The natural spring has been discovered from near the Madhu Shrine. This is the first time that a spring of this nature that spurts out such a large volume of water has been found in the island.

Central Bank raises over $ 250 million in Treasury Bills and bonds

2009-08-07T18:32:00.001+05:30

With the dawn of peace there is a tremendous response from foreign investors for Treasury Bonds and Treasury Bills. During the past three months, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) raised more than US$ 250 million.

President opens educational facility for Asgiriya Temple

2009-08-07T18:31:00.006+05:30

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa today ceremonially opened a new four-storied Maha Vihara Maha Pirivena building and a new library room at the Asgiriya Chapter Temple premises. The President also launched the website of the Pirivena.

UNP’s mark may change or not?

2009-08-07T18:31:00.004+05:30

With anything to do with elephants running into controversies these days, the news of another elephantine endeavor is on the cards. This has less to do with the four legged pachyderms, but with a political alliance with the UNP. The new opposition alliance is to sign their agreement this month.

Air travel facilities for pilgrims to Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil festival in Northern Sri Lanka

2009-08-04T18:16:00.007+05:30

Sri Lanka's Tourism Ministry has set up plans to provide air travel facilities for pilgrims attending the annual Nallur Kandasamy Kovil festival in Jaffna, the government announced today.

Jaffna fish in Colombo soon

2009-08-04T18:16:00.005+05:30

Sri Lanka's Fisheries Ministry said the fish harvest from Jaffna will be sold in Colombo soon in 'Jaffna Fish Stalls'.

Knuckles on fire

2009-08-04T18:16:00.003+05:30

A forest fire that broke out in the Knuckles Range has burnt down 200 acres of natural forest and Forest Department managed pine plantations. Deputy Conservator of Forests, K.P.Ariyadasa yesterday said, they were yet to determine the damage caused by the fire. The fire had lasted for about six hours, according to District Forest Officers. ”The forest officers have managed to suppress the fire with the help of the villagers in the area,” he said.

Govt. throws down the gauntlet in South

2009-08-04T18:16:00.001+05:30

The Southern Provincial Council has been dissolved with effect from mid night yesterday. Governor of the Southern Provincial Council Kumari Balasuriya dissolved the Council using the powers vested in her and the relevant gazette had been sent to the Government Printer at the time this edition went to press. A gazette notification calling for nominations for elections to the next council would be issued in a week or so, government sources said.

Retired Indian soldiers fly to Sri Lanka to clear landmines

2009-08-04T18:15:00.004+05:30

Over 80 former Indian soldiers have left for Sri Lanka following the defeat of the Tamil Tigers to join Indians already there in clearing thousands of buried landmines. The new group has teamed up with compatriots working since 2003, mainly in the northern districts of Mannar and Vavuniya, in defusing mines laid by both the military and the Tigers during their prolonged conflict.

Armed gang hijacks lorry, robs 99 bags of rice

2009-08-04T18:15:00.003+05:30

A lorry transporting a load of rice to Dambulla, was hijacked by an armed gang yesterday at Thulhiriya. Police said that the gang, after robbing the load of rice in 99 bags and about Rs. 40,000, had left the lorry along with the driver and the cleaner at Galewela.

More Dengue and H1N1 flu cases reported in Sri Lanka

2009-08-04T18:15:00.001+05:30

Figures released by the Epidemiology Unit of Sri Lanka's Health Ministry shows that the dengue and the Influenza A H1N1 cases are steadily rising despite extensive measures to contain the diseases.

According to the Epidemiology Unit, two new H1N1 cases have been reported yesterday bringing the total of H1N1 infected to 62. Out of this total, seven persons have contracted the disease from another infected person. All the others have arrived from affected countries.