Wednesday, March 31, 2010

EU To Delay GSP Concession To Sri Lanka

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband today made a controvertial Statement on granting GSP Plus Concession to Sri Lanka by saying that the European Union is ready to open Trade Ties with Sri Lanka but not willing to extend the Requested GSP Concession to the Country.This is due to the key Human Right Violations in the Country He further added.

World's First Project On Petrol Made From Plastic Waste Opened

World's first Pilot Project on Producing Petrol from Plastic Waste was innaugurated at Yatiyanthota District by today.The Ministry of Enviornment organized this event.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Police Sought Assistance Of The Military Personnale For The Elections

The Police has sought the Assistance of Three Armed Forces to maintain the Security for the forthcoming General Elections according to the IGP Mahinda Balasuriya.Around 7000 Candidates are scheduled to  contest for the General Elections scheduled to be held in  06th of April 2010.

According to the IGP in addition  59,000 Police Perssonnal are deployed for the Election Duty at present and the Police is seeking assistance from around 20,000 Army Personnale.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Media Ministry Requested News Paper Editors To Declare The Journalists Assets

The Media Ministry is sent Letters to the Editors of  all News Papers stating to declare the Assets of the Journalists before end of April.According to the Secretary to the Media Ministry Mr.W.Ganegala under the terms of 1988 Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Act Media Ministry has requested the Proprietors,Editors and other Editorial Staff of all  News Papers in Sri Lanka to submit a Statment declaring their Assets.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Elections Commisioner Requested To Re Instate Conumer Authority DG

Elections Commissioner Mr.Dayananda Dishanayaka today requested the Chairman of the Consumer Protection Authority Rumi Marzook to re instate the Director General of the Authority Mrs.Ramani Jayasuriya Immediately as this Removal violates the Election laws .Elections Commissioner made this request after the Director General of  Consumer Protection Authority Mrs.Jayasuriya informed the Elections Commissioner on her removal.

She said that her removal was a result of her refusal to carryout Election Propaganda work ordered by the Consumer Affairs Minister Bandula Gunawardena.However denying this allegation the Minister Gunawardena says that Mrs.Jayasuriya was removed from her post as her term of Office expired and it is not a Political move.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Colombo Shanty People Are the Main TB Cariers

The People lives in Shantys in the Middle Of Colombo are the Main Carriers who are  spreading the  Tuberculosis(TB) in the Country according to the National Tuberculosis Programme of Sri Lanka.In View of this Situation the Programme already recommended the Government to shift these People who are living in Shanty's to a Urban Housing Scheme  as Immediatly  as possible as a Meassure of preventing the  spreading of the  disease.

Special Dengue Task Force To Combat Dengue Menace

A Special Task Force to Control the Spreading of Dengue was setup today at the Health Ministry Auditorium with the Participation of a number of Ministries and State Department Officials.The Cabinet Approval for the setting up of this Dengue Task Force was received two weeks ago.

The newly formed Task Force will Implement an Island Wide Programme to Combat the Spreading of Dengue which already claimed 63 lives within this year according to the Ministry Of Health.

State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation To Issue 2 Million Thyroxine Tablets

Local Drug Manufacturer The State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation(SPMC) is to issue 2 Million Thyroxine Tablets used for Patients with Iodine Deficiency to the Market  on 01st of April according to the Health Ministry.These Tablets are so far Imported To Sri Lanka from Foreign Countries  and Sometimes Due to the Short Supply of the Drug Patients of the Government Hospitals faced enormous Difficulties.

This Problem will be solved As SPMC supplying the required amount of Thyroxine Tablets to the Hospitals and Market  begining from Next Month Ministry Sources further added.SPMC already conducted six pre Clinical Trials on the Thyroxine Drug they made and the Samples of the Drug already sent to the World Health Organization(WHO) for approval.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

International Indian Film Acadamy Awards To Be Held In Sri Lanka

International Indian Film Academy Awards 2010 is decided to be held in Sri Lanka on 02nd to 04th of July Sri Lankan Tourism Minister Achala Jagoda has announced today.The International Indian Acadamy Awards is organized by the Indian Film Acadamy for the Artistic and Technical Excellence of the Artists in Hindi Film Industry known as Bollywood.

This Annual Awards Ceremony is held in different parts of the world since the year 2000 and known as Indian Oscar Awards.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Somalian Pirates Hijacked A Ship Carrying 23 Sri Lankan Crew Members


Somalian Pirates Hijacked a Cargo Ship yesterday in the Coast of Oman carrying 25 Crew Members which 23 are Sri Lankans Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry has been announced.
According to the Foreign Ministry Sources the Health Condition of The Sri Lankan Crew who are in Custody is Very Good and efforts are underway to secure their release.


The Foreign Ministry has been instructed the Sri Lankan Missions in Oman and Kenya to look in to this matter.The 11,000 tonne Ship Hijacked by the Pirates is headed to Egypt from Iran with Bermudan Flag also have Two Crew Members from Syria and Philliphenes.

Over Ten Thousand Dengue Patients Reported Within Three Months


The total number of Dengue Patients reported throughout the Island from first three Months of this year now stands as 10,781 and 63 Deaths were reported so far according to the Sri Lankan Epidemiology Unit.

Most number of Patients were reported from the Colombo District.Last year(2009)alone 35,010 Dengue Patients were reported throughout the Island.Epidemiologists appealed the people to clean their household and surrounding these days as the prevailing rainy weather Conditions will cause the increase of Spreading Dengue.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

CID Questions Former JVP MP Over General's Son In Law


Sri Lankan CID today questioned the Former MP of the leftist Janatha Wimukthi [eramuna(JVP) Anura Kumara Dissanayaka how can the Mother of General Sarath Fonseka's Son In Law Danuna Thilakarathna received large Sum of Money to deposit in her Account.

Former MP Anura Dissanayaka responded to the CID that maoney may be received as Funds for the General's Presidential Election Camapign.

Government Hospital Nurses To Wear Civilian Cloths From 01st Of April


Twenty Four Thousand Sri Lankan Government Hospital Nurses are due to report to work by wearing Civilian Cloths from 01st of April if the Ministry Of Health failed to provide them the Annual Uniform Allowance by 31st of March according to the Public Services Nurses Union.

The President of the Nurses Union Ven.Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero said that the Ministry Of Health still not able to provide the Annual Uniform Allowance of Rs.9000 to the Government Hospital Nurses this year.Although the Nurses will not be given the Uniform Allowance added to their Salary of this Month as usual the Additional Health Secretary Dr.Nihal Jayathilake promised the Union Officials to provide the Allowance to the Nurses before 31st of this Month Muruththettuwe Thero further added.

Sri Lankan Government Blocked Visas Of International Singer Akon


Sri Lankan Government today decided to reject the Visa of Internationally renowned Singer Akon who is due to perform in Sri Lanka's Capital Colombo on 24th March.This decision has been taken due to the charges leveled against him by the Buddhist Clergy here on that Akon degraded Buddhism and Lord Buddha by making a controversial Video showing a Scantily clad Woman dancing around a Buddha Statue.

However the Concert Organizers today said that they are still not Informed on the Decision of Canceling Akon's Visa and will held talks with the Tourism Board Officials regarding the Concert by tomorrow.Responding to the charges leveled against him by the Buddhist Clergy the Organizers said that Video On Buddha Statue was not his work and He respected Buddhism.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Protestors Attacked MTV/MBC Studios


A Group Of Protestors Attacked one of the leading Electronic Media Companies in Sri Lanka MTV/MBC Studio Complex at Baybrook Place Colombo this evning.The Protestors Stoned the Complex and the Police intervened in to the incident and arrsted 16 of the Protestors.

The reason behind this attack is still not known.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

CID To Take Statments From Mrs.Fonseka And JVP MP


The Criminal Investigations Department(CID)is to record statements from Mrs.Anoma Fonseka who is the wife of Detained Retired General Sarath Fonseka and the former Janatha Wimukthi Peramuna (JVP)MP Anura Kumara Dissanayaka according to the Political Sources.

Former JVP MP Dissanayaka said that CID due to take a statement from him on 23rd and 24th of March to suppress the Opposition activities.

However the Reason behind this move is not yet revealed and Mrs.Anoma Fonseka is due to appear before the CID next week.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

The Boy Thrown Out To Kalu Ganga Died In Unconcious State


A Two year old Amila Sanda Ruwan who was saved by the Truck Driver after Boy's mother was thrown him to the Kalu Ganga on last Friday Died today in Unconscious State at the Lady Ridgway Hospital after fighting for life in a Ventilator since last week.


He was in Unconscious State since rescued and his brain was severly Injured according to the Doctors.The Boy's Mother was Imprisoned at the moment.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Sri Lankan Political Parties Criticized Police Role Of Removing Election Cutouts


Inspector General Of Police Mahinda Balsuriya came under heavy Criticism today in front of Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dishanayaka when the Political Party representatives criticized the failure of Police by removing the unlawful Election Posters,Banners and cutouts.When Political Party Representatives criticizing the Police angry IGP Mahinda Balasuriya defending the Policeman by saying it is due to the pressure of some Political Candidates that Police failed to carried out their duty freely.

However he stressed that the Police had so far removed 112 Kilos of Political Flags,28,390 Posters,11,092 Banners and 1665 Posters pasted in Cars.

Sri Lanka's General Elections scheduled to be held in 08th of April 2010.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Rs.2.45 Million Worth Drugs Expired At The Medical Supplies Division


A Large stock of expired Medicinal Drugs and Surgical Items worth Rs.2.45 Million are stored at the Stores of Medical Supplies Division(MSD) at present according to the Health Ministry Sources.The quantity of these expired drugs stored are 1.15 Million.These Drugs are at the Stores almost since a Year and they were Imported For the Use of Government Hospitals.


A Large stock of Disposable Syringes,Blood Administration Kits,Blood Bags(Various) are among the Expired Stock of Drugs and Importing of Low Quantity Drugs,Lapses in Estimating the Drug Items need for the Institutions,and Lack of qualified man power to handle the Drug Orders are the main reasons for this situation Health Ministry Sources added.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

The Second Court Martial Hearing Against General Fonseka Postponed


The second Court Martial Trial held against General Sarath Fonseka today was postponed without hearing the charges leveled against him due to the problem arisen on the Composition of the Tribunal Army sources said.

When the Court Martial hearing begin today at the Navy Headquarters in Colombo the President of the Court Major General H.L Weeratunge read a letter sent by the President Mahinda Rajapaksha on appointing Panel of Judges .Stating that there is a issue on whether the same Panel of Judges in the First Court can hear in the Second Court the Court proceedings was postponed without fixing a next date of hearing.

The Second Court Martial hearing commenced today on the charges leveled against the General Fonseka on violating the Army Rules and procedures on Arm Procurement.Because of the Postponement of the Court hearing the Lawyers representing General Fonseka were not get the opportunity to make their representations.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Police Used Tear Gas To Disperse Protest Campaign On General Fonseka


Police used tear gas this noon to disperse a protest campaign held in Panadura Area in the Colombo Suburbs organized by the Democratic National Alliance(DNA) to oppose producing General Fonseka before the Court Martial.Around three hundred people participated the protest and ten were arrested when they tried to block the main road according to the sources.

General Fonseka Appeared Court Martial Trial


Retired General Sarath Fonseka today appeared before the Court Martial with his lawyers to face three charges leveled against him on involved in Political activities during his Army career.General Fonseka who appeared before the Court with his lawyers headed by President Counsel Rienzi Arsakularatna is due to appear the Second Court Martial on alleged Military Procurements by tomorrow strong>

The Next Court Martial Trial on the charges discussed today against General Fonseka is scheduled to be held in 06th of April.

Monday, March 15, 2010

2.5 Million Worth Expired And Low Quality Drugs At SPC Stores


A large stock of Expired and Low Quality Drugs worth Around Rs.2.5 million are stored at the Storing Complex of the State Pharmaceutical Corporation in Rathmalana of the Colombo Suburbs at present according to the Health Sources.Majority of these Drugs are non essential items and those Drugs which were out of date Expired in December 2009 according to the Sources.

These Drug Items were imported for the use of Government Hospitals and State owned Pharmacies.The storage of these Items also blocked the storage space in the Storing Complex according to the sources.

Meanwhile more then 4 million non essential Hypodermic Injection Needles are also stored in the Stores pending approval of the Medical Supplies Division(MSD) Health Ministry Sources said.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

DNA Party Appealed The Public To Stage Protests Against Court Martial General Fonseka


The Newly Formed Democratic National Alliance(DNA) led by former Army Commander and Common Presidential Candidate of the Opposition Retired General Sarath Fonseka who is under Military Detention at present, today appealed from the Public to stage Protest Campaigns Island wide on this Tuesday(16) against the Court Martial Trial scheduled to be held on that day against the General.

The DNA Party which is going to contest for the forthcoming General Elections under the Trophy Symbol also appealed the people to conduct Religious Observances including Bodhi Poojas on behalf of General Fonseka.

Addressing a Press Briefing held in Colombo today The DNA Spokesman Anura Kumara Dissanayaka said that the Officials failed to find any evidence on Major Charges filed against General Fonseka earlier on Involved in Conspiracy to assassinate the President and the Controversial Mig Air Craft Deal.Now He is accused on Seven Other Charges and tried to produced before a Court Martial Trial He stated.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Money Allocated For Purchasing Essential Drugs Goes Wrong Way


The Money allocated for purchasing Essential Drug Items required for Government Hospitals are decreasing rapidly due to the Purchasing of non Essential Drugs and Surgical Items in large scale according to the Health Ministry Sources.The Government has allocated around Rs.14 Billion for the Purchasing of Drug Items required by the Government Hospital for this year and Most of this money already have spent to Import these non economical Drug Items the Sources added.

Meanwhile Due to the Importing these Non Essential Drug Items The Storage Space of the Medical Supplies Division too blocked till August 2012 according to the Sources.The Non Essential Items like rarely used Hypordermic Imjection Needles are stored at the Supplies Division at large preventing storing Essential Drug and Surgical Items like Surgical Gloves and Disposable Syringes which are out of stock within the Government Hospitals at present.

General Fonseka's Lawyers To Challenge His Court Martial Trial


The Lawyers of Detained Former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka are due to appear before the Court Martial on next Tuesday(16) to challenge the Legality of trying Former Army Commander before a Three Member Penal compromising Army Officers ranked Junior to him Leftist Janatha Wimukthi Peramuna(JVP) said today.

General Fonseka is due to appear before the Court Martial on next Tuesday (16th)and Wednesday(17th).

JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayaka said that there is no provision in the Army Act to Court Martial General Fonseka and such a trial is Illegal.JVP has already filed a case in the Court Of Appeal challenging this decision.

Meanwhile Director General of the Media Center of National Security Lakshman Hulugalle said that there is no valid reason for General Fonseka's Lawyers to Opposed the Court Martial Trial conduct against him and Even General opposed he will be produced before the Court.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

General Fonseka To Face Court Martial Trial On 16th And 17th


Detained Former Army Commander Retired General Sarath Fonseka is due to face Court Martial Trial on 16th and 17th of March before a three member Panel.General Fonseka was taken in to custody on last February and is held in a Naval Base in Colombo since then.

Sri Lankan Army authorities collected evidence against him from 31 personals since then.

According to the Military Media will not allowed to cover the Court Martial Proceedings according to the law however if general requested then they will consider allowing media to cover the proceedings.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Elections Commissioner To Summon Political Party Secretaries


The Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dishanayaka is due to meet with the Political Party Secretaries on this Friday to discuss the Issues related to the forthcoming Parliamentary Elections it has been reported.

According to the Elections Commissioners Office there is a possibility of discussing on having Foreign Counting agents at the Vote Counting Centers in this meeting.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

A Fire Broke Out In Norochchalai Coal Plant


An unexpected fire was broke out in the Ware House of the Norochchalai Coal Power Plant this morning causing extensive Damage to it's Property and to the goods.The Navy and the Army were called to control the Fire.

The Navy and Army took more then three hours to control the Fire according to the Sources.The Kalpitiya Police is conducting further Investigations in to the matter.

General Fonseka Stopped His Fast


Retired General Sarath Fonseka who begun a Fast unto Death Campaign since last Sunday stopped his act today as the Military agreed to provide his wife's mobile phone to him enable him to talk to his Daughters who are in Overseas.

General Fonseka's wife went to the Detention Center where he is held yesterday night as the Military Leaders requested her to do so and handover the Mobile Phone to him Military Sources said.

State Of Emergency Extended For Another Month


The State Of Emergency presented to the Parliament was passed today with 98 MP'S vote for it and 24 including UNP,JVP,SLMC and TNA MP's voted against it.


The Parliament which was dissolved last month was summoned today by the Government especially to extend the State of Emergency for another Month.

Monday, March 8, 2010

General Fonseka To Face Court Martial Trial Soon


Sri Lankan Military has completed the Summary of Evidence against General Sarath Fonseka according to the Military Spokesman.According to the Spokesman Over Five Charges to be made against the General under the Army Act and Court Martial against the General is to begin soon.

Meanwhile General Fonseka who is in Custody since last month has launched a Fast to Death Campaign since yesterday urging authorities to allow him to contact his Daughters live in Overseas.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

General Fonseka Begun A Fast To Death Campaign


Retired General Sarath Fonseka Who was the Common Candidate of the Joint Opposition in Recently concluded Presidential Elections and detained later was begun a Fast into Death Campaign inside the detention Center this morning to urge authorities to allow him to speak to his Children who are in Overseas through the phone according to the news sources.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Police Department To Remove Election Posters And Banners


The Police Department currently launched an Islandwide Campaign to remove all the Election Posters,Banners and Cutouts according to the Directive made by the Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayka.


Several Policeman and Laborers Are involved in this work and the Police Department is expecting to finish this task within next few days according to the Department Sources.The Elections Commissioner has allocated Rs.22 Million for this purpose.

Colombo Public Health Dept.Using BTI Bacteria In Mosquito Breeding Places


The Public Health Department of the Colombo Municipal Council has launched a Campaign to Spray BTI Bacteria within Housing premises of the Central Colombo Area where the Dengue is spreading rapidly according to the Chief Medical Officer of Colombo Dr.Pradeep Kariyawasam.

BTI Bacteria is spraying once a week on the Housing Premises which are among 40,000 Houses in the Area where Dengue is spreading Dr.Kariyawasam stated.Public Health Officials are examine the progress of the using of Bacterial Spray once a week and reported to him He further added.

This is the First time that this Bacteria is using within Housing Premises as the Colombo Public Health Department already using it in Public places since almost a year now.Meanwhile still the Ministry Of Health is not taken any steps to importing BTI Bacteria From Cuba as earlier stated for using it among the Dengue Mosquito Breeding Places throughout the Country.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Dengue Is in Increase


Around 7999 Dengue Patients were reported throughout the Island from the months of January and February this year and out of these patients 46 were died The Epidemiology Unit said today.

Majority of the Dengue Patients were reported during the Month of January.Meanwhile even the Dengue is in increase the Ministry Of Health has still delaying the importing of BTI Bacteria from Cuba to Destroy Dengue Larvae.

Malini Fonseka Secured A Spot Among 25 Greatest Asian Actors


CNN today named Famous and Veteran Sri Lankan Actress Malini Fonseka as one of the 25 Greatest Actors in Asia.Malini Who is known as the Queen of the Sinhalese Cinema won several local and international awards for her roles portrayed in the Films.

President Rajapaksha To Take Oaths For The Second Terrm In November


Pressident Mahinda Rajapaksha to take oaths for the second term in office on 18th of November this year according to the Professor G.L Pieris.President Rajapaksha was elected for the Second Term on the Presidential Elections held in 26th of January this year.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Evidences Recorded From 31 Persons On Gen.Fonseka Case


Army has been recorded an Evidences from 31 persons regarding the case on Retired General Sarath Fonseka who is in Army Custody according to the Army Spokesman Major General Prasad Samarasinha.According to him a summary report was currently being prepared and it will be presented to the Army Commander soon.

Severe Drug Shortage At Maharagama Cancer Hospital


Around 20 Cancer Drugs including 11 Essential Cancer Drugs were out of stock these days at the Cancer Hospital In Maharagama in the Colombo Suburbs putting the lives of the Cancer patients in danger.


According to the Cancer Hospital Doctors These Cancer drugs are administering to around 300 Indoor and Outdoor Cancer Patients Daily and due to the Drug shortage they are not having any other alternative measure than delaying of administering these Drugs to the Patients.Due to the expensiveness of these Drugs, Patients too cannot purchasing them from the Private Sector and some Cancer Injections are expensive as more then Rs.10,000 per Vial Doctors stressed.

"Five S U" and "Sistadine"are among the Drugs which are out of stock at the moment.When contacted The Director General Of Health Services Dr.Ajith Mendis said that due to the Huge cost that have to spend on Cancer Drugs Government cannot afford such a large amount of money to purchasing of these Drugs due to the Shortage of money .Government is currently spending Rs 2 million per Cancer Patient he stressed.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Parliament To Re Convene Next Week?


Sri Lankan Parliament which was dissolved last month is to re convene on 09th of March for a Special Session to extend the State Of Emergency for another Month Government has announced today.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Government Decided Not To Increase Gas Prices


The Government has decided not to Increase the Gas Prices despite requests made by Shell and Laugfs Companies for a Price Increase Minister Of Consumer Affairs Bandula Gunawardena says today.


Earlier the Minister said that a reasonable Increase of the Gas Prices will be implemented tonight after having discussions with Gas Companies.

Four Police Officers Were Injured Due To An Assault In Thanamalwila Assault

 A Drunken driver and another group had assaulted four officers of the Thanamalwila  Police  who were on  traffic duty yesterday(18).The inj...