Category: Local News

James Packer signs up Michael Clarke to promote Crown casino resorts

Australiancricket captain Michael Clarke has signed a six-figure deal with billionaire James Packer’s Crown Resorts to act as an “education ambassador”. The signing comes as Mr Packer sharpens his campaign to build a $400 million luxury casino resort in Sri Lanka, tapping into the country’s love of cricket to build public support. […]



Government clarifies the Casino Issue

Countering the politically motivated allegations being made by certain groups the government has assured that it will not grant any new licenses to open gambling centres but will regulate the ones that are already in existence. […]



Matara clash: Sudath and 5 arrested

Six suspects including Sudath Chandrasekara, a secretary of the UNP leader and Kithsiri Kahatapitiya a former Western Provincial Council opposition leader were arrested after they surrendered to the Matara Police in connection with the October 5 protest in Matara […]



Canada should not boycott CHOGM – Fmr. Canadian PM

Canada should not boycott the upcoming Commonwealth meetings in Sri Lanka, former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney said. “If you were going to boycott the Commonwealth because of illustrations of improper government or abusive treatment of people within some of the member countries, some days you wouldn’t have too many people around that Commonwealth table […]



Blessing for successful CHOGM

– by Janaka Alahapperuma – (pix by: Chandana Perera & Nalin Hewapathirana) A special Ashirvada Pooja to invoke blessings for the success of the oncoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka was held at Sri Sambodhi Viharaya in Gregory’s Road, Colombo-7 on Saturday evening (19 Oct). […]



Sri Lanka’s ‘Nanotechnology Centre of Excellence’ opening tomorrow

Sri Lanka ‘s first Nanotechnology research center and Nanoscience park will be declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on October 21. Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) together with the Ministry of Technology and Research laid the foundation in June 2012 for the commencement of construction of the park which is named as Nanotechnology Centre […]



Seventy three boat people sent back to Sri Lanka

– FILE PHOTO – Three boat arrivals were reported from October 11 to 18, Operation Sovereign Borders Commander Australia, Maj. Gen. Angus Campbell said. Last Friday, a boat carrying 79 people arrived at the Cocos (Keeling) Islands from Sri Lanka. […]




Taking up the ‘Non-White Man’s Burden’: President Rajapakse should not miss this unique opportunity

  – by Shenali D. Waduge – “White man’s burden” was a phrase coined by author Rudyard Kipling in 1899. It referred to the idea that white races in Europe and the United States had a responsibility to educate and Christianize “uncivilized” and “primitive” peoples of the world. ‘Burden’ implied a moral rationale lending it […]



UPFA Northern Province Councillors sworn in

– by Janaka Alahapperuma – pix by: Chandana Perera – The members of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) who were elected at the recently concluded elections to the Northern Provincial Council took oaths before President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees this afternoon (17 Oct.). […]



One week – Two oath ceremonies for lucky Vigneswaran

– by Janaka Alahapperuma – pix by: Sudath Silva – Newly elected Chief Minister of the Northern Province C.V.Vigneshwaran was sworn in once again for more ministerial portfolios of the provincial council this morning (17 Oct) at the Presidential Secretariat. The Chief Minister took oaths before President Mahinda Rajapaksa. This is the first time in […]




Sri Lanka’s National Identity, Official Language – National Anthem and the Sinhalese Majority

  – by Shenali D Waduge – Contrary to what is erroneously being promoted the Sinhela race did not descend from banished King Vijaya of India. The discovery of the Balangoda man depicts a rich civilization going back 38000 years. Undoubtedly what distinguishes the Sinhala people is their Sinhala language – both people and language […]




Ceylon Tea exporters target US$ 5 billion by 2020

– by Janaka Alahapperuma – pix By : Nalin Hewapathirana – Chairman of the Tea Exporters’ Association (TEA) of Sri Lanka, Rohan Fernando presented their proposals to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to support the Government’s efforts to increase exports toward the goal of US$ 20 billion by 2020 with a tea contribution of US$ 3 to […]



Sri Lanka must say NO to animal sacrifice and ban this vile practice forthwith

  – by Shenali D. Waduge – We again visit the topic of animal sacrifice and probably will continue to do so until the moral and ethical dimension of killing animals born no different to man comes to a halt. Christians and Jews must receive plaudits for evaluating the practice of animal sacrifice in the […]