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[Last Updated = Thu, May 23, 2013, 11:14 pm SL Time]
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SECURITY - SITUATION
Sri Lanka police probe German NGO Friedrich Naumann Foundation
May 23 (CP) Colombo- The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Sri Lanka police has commenced an investigation on the Friedrich Naumann Foundation to ascertain whether the German NGO has acted within the country beyond its given legal mandate.
Sri Lankan Minister again under suspicion for attack on local council chairman
May 23 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lanka's Minister of Public Relations Mervyn Silva came under media attention again as his same party opponent and Chairman of Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha Prasanna Ranaweera was assaulted this morning.
Australia returns 31 more Sri Lankan migrants home
May 23 (CP) Colombo- Australia has deported 31 more Sri Lankan asylum seekers from Christmas Island, a territory of Australia where illegal immigrants to the country are detained.
A group of 31 Sri Lankan irregular maritime arrivals has been flown home from Christmas Island to Colombo involuntarily on Wednesday, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Brendan O'Connor announced.
Controversial Buddhist organization in Sri Lanka says government has not reconnected with the Tamil people after the war
May 23 (CP) Colombo- A controversial Buddhist organization in Sri Lanka, the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), says that the government had not made sufficient effort to reconnect with the Tamil people following the end of the war.
BBS General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero said although the government built roads and developed the infrastructure in the North, it would not win the hearts of the people.
Sri Lankan minister to introduce hotline for the public to make complaints
May 23 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lanka's Public Relations and Public Affairs Minister Mervyn Silva said he has decided to introduce a hotline for the people to lodge complaints and his Ministry would take steps to set up the hotline for public complaints.
Sri Lanka's post Geneva progress being looked into by the US, says TNA
May 23 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lanka's Tamil National Alliance (TNA) says that the United States is looking into the progress made by the government following the resolution adopted at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in March this year.
Asylum seeker released after ASIO overturns threat assessment
Now, UN intervenes in land issue in North
Kelaniya PS chairman assaulted
Unregistered drugs seized
French naval ship arrives in Sri Lanka on goodwill visit
May 22 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lanka Navy, in accordance with naval traditions, welcomed a French naval ship arrived today at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit.
The French Naval Ship "Jacques Cartier" arrived at the Port of Colombo on Wednesday on a goodwill visit, the Navy said. (Sri Lanka Navy Photo)
A group of 6000 Sri Lankans to return to the island from Saudi
May 22 (CP) Colombo- A group of Sri Lankans will return to the island following a decision taken by Saudi Arabia to deport foreigners who work away from their original employers.
Accordingly a group of 6,000 migrant workers will come back to the island before the 3rd of July, Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said.
** Related Story ::Saudi government offers a grace period for overstaying Sri Lankan migrant workers
CID questions Sri Lanka Tamil parliamentarian over war victim commemoration
May 22 (CP) Colombo- The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Sri Lanka Police has interrogated the Vanni District Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarian Sivasakthi Anandan yesterday in Colombo over his involvement in a function held last week to commemorate the Tamil victims of war.
Coast Guard to receive 26 Karaikal fishermen released by Sri Lanka
Arrests made in illegal immigrant smuggling raid
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NEWS - HIGHLIGHTS
President opens first session of second Sri Lanka Youth Parliament
May 23 (CP) Colombo- The first session of Second Sri Lanka Youth Parliament commenced today at the Sri Lanka Youth Center Auditorium in Maharagama with President Mahinda Rajapaksa participating as the chief guest .
Sri Lankan government launches campaign to promote the country ahead of CHOGM
May 23 (CP) Colombo- The Sri Lankan government has commenced a campaign to promote the country ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo this November.
Secretary of the External Affairs Ministry Karunatilaka Amunugama said the government will also attend a meeting to be held at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London this week.
Thailand Prime Minister to address Sri Lanka parliament on May 31
May 23 (CP) Colombo- The Prime Minister of Thailand Yingluck Shinawatra will address the Parliament of Sri Lanka on 31st May 2013, as part of her official visit to the country.
Ms. Shinawatra will be only the third visiting premier to address the Members of Parliament inside the Parliament Chamber at Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte...
SriLankan Airlines launches 'Upgr a'd' e-auction for Business Class upgrades
May 23 (CP) Colombo- SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka, has introduced Upgra'd e-auction, which gives passengers the opportunity to bid for Business Class upgrades, online.
Upgra'd is an extremely user-friendly online procedure, where an Economy Class ticket holder booked on a SriLankan flight operating to any SriLankan online destination can place a bid for an upgrade by filling in and submitting an e-form available in the website.
FINANCE
Sri Lanka to get US$ 580 million loan from China for development projects
May 23 (CP) Colombo- The Sri Lankan government will obtain a US$ 580 million loan from China this year for the development projects in the country.
The government has received the cabinet approval to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between Sri Lanka's Ministry of Finance and Planning and the China Development Bank Corporation for the loan.
Emirates to add more flights to Sri Lanka's Colombo airport from next month
May 23 (CP) Colombo- Dubai's international carrier Emirates Airlines Wednesday announced plans to increase capacity on its services to Sri Lanka's Colombo International Airport from 30th June 2013.
The airline will add three more flights per week between Dubai and Colombo on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays.
Sri Lankan shares hit 19-month high, lifted by large caps
Smallholders abandon tea for cinnamon
SLT’s superfast Internet goes live
hen Hua 25 arrives at Colombo International Container terminal
Sri Lanka' Watawala Plantations in profits with palm oil
China to lend US$580m for Sri Lanka development projects
Sri Lanka imports one million barrels of crude, refinery to restart on May 24th
May 22 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lanka's Minister for Petroleum Industries Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said one million barrels of crude oil had been imported to restart the operations at the country's only refinery on the 24th of this month and no purchases of crude had been from Iran.
Sri Lanka Army opens seafood restaurant in highway service plaza
May 22 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lanka's peace time Army assisting the government's tourism promotion drive has opened a seafood restaurant in the service plaza on the Southern Expressway.
Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya Tuesday opened Lāya Seafood Restaurant, an outlet of Army-managed Lāya Leisure Hotel at Kukuleganga in the new state-of-the-art Welipenna Service Plaza on the E-1 Colombo-Galle Expressway.
Bora Bora Resources increases Sri Lankan graphite footprint
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POLITICS - GENERAL
General amnesty considered for overstaying Sri Lankan migrant workers in Kuwait
Japan grants Rs.245 million to Sri Lanka for human resources development
May 23 (CP) Colombo- The Government of Japan has agreed to provide approximately Rs.245 million (Yen 192 million) in grant assistance to Sri Lanka to implement a scholarship program on human resources development.
Power devolution the best method to resolve ethnic issue in Sri Lanka- Kiriella
May 23 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian Lakshman Kiriella says the party believes that the devolution of power would address the ethnic issue and it was the best method to solve the ethnic issue in the country.
NPC polls to be held under present Constitution – Yapa
Electricity bills rise despite promised relief
Government will abide by Select Committee recommendations
New Elephant Arrives at National Zoo
May 23 (NBCW) Washington- A 37-year-old elephant previously residing in Baton Rouge will be reuniting with another elephant he was raised with in Sri Lanka.
According to National Zoo officials, Bozie, an Asian elephant, arrived at the zoo this week.
Sri Lanka Buddhist party reveals its constitutional amendment
May 22 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lanka's Sinhala Buddhist political party Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) Wednesday revealed the 19th Amendment to the Constitution proposed by them.
Legal adviser of JHU Udaya Gammanpila, Member of Western Provincial Council, briefed the content of the proposition today at a press conference held in Colombo.
India launches housing project in Sri Lanka's Eastern Province
May 22 (CP) Batticaloa- India launched its housing project to construct houses for the resettled families in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka Wednesday, the High Commission of India said in a statement today.
Sri Lankan government dismisses claims of importing Rolls Royces for CHOGM
May 22 (CP) Colombo- The Sri Lankan government today out rightly dismissed a claim made by the opposition that the government is planning to import high end luxury cars for the Commonwealth meeting in November.
External Affairs Minister questions why Canada is relentlessly pursuing Sri Lanka
India dedicated to protect the political and economic stability of Sri Lanka - outgoing envoy
May 22 (CP) Colombo- India will constantly be dedicated to protect the political and economic stability of Sri Lanka and India will appear on behalf of a united Sri Lanka and act in order to safeguard the integrity of Sri Lanka, the outgoing Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha says.
Sri Lankan President pays homage to Dalada Maligawa, releases milk cows destined for slaughter
May 22 (CP) Kandy- Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, participating in the Vesak Week activities, paid homage to the sacred Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth) in Kandy today and received blessings from the Chief Prelate of Asgiriya Chapter, Most Venerable Udugama Sri Buddharakkhita Maha Nayake thera.
Sri Lanka opposition says government threatened to sack strikers
Congress invokes Rajiv to revive fortunes
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SPORTS
ICC withdraws Asad Rauf from ICC Champions Trophy 2013
May 23 (ICC) The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced that it has withdrawn elite panel umpire Asad Rauf from the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 that will be staged in England and Wales from 6-23 June.
The decision has been made after media reports on Wednesday indicated that the umpire was under investigation by Mumbai Police.
More : SPORTS
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Spirited Sunrisers exceed expectations
May 23 (ESPNCI) Sunrisers Hyderabad exceeded expectations in this IPL, and had the support of many who backed a side making its debut, having been bought over by a new owner after the previous franchise was terminated last year. Their run ended in a closely-fought Eliminator,
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Delhi police chief says more IPL cricketers being probed
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ICC to deliver official fantasy cricket game
May 22 (ICC) The International Cricket Council today announced the launch of an official Fantasy League game for the ICC Champions Trophy 2013.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2013 is being played across England and Wales beginning on 6 June with the final of the tournament scheduled to be held at Edgbaston on 23 June.
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WORLD
Woolwich attack: Lee Rigby named as victim
May 23 (BBC) The soldier killed in an attack in London has been named as Drummer Lee Rigby of the 2nd Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
Drummer Rigby, 25, from Manchester, leaves behind a two-year-old son.
Two suspects shot by police after Wednesday's attack in Woolwich remain under arrest. A further two people have been arrested on conspiracy to murder.
More : WORLD
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Bangladesh factory collapse probe uncovers abuses
May 23 (BBC) A Bangladesh government report into the collapse of a multi-storey factory building, which killed more than 1,100, has uncovered a series of violations.
The report said the building had been constructed with sub-standard materials on unsuitable land.
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Japanese 80-year-old claims Everest record
May 23 (BBC) An 80-year old Japanese mountaineer has reached the summit of Mount Everest, making him the oldest man to scale the world's highest peak.
Yuichiro Miura, who climbed Everest when he was 70 and then again at 75, reached the peak early on Thursday morning, his support team said.
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Pakistan Quetta bomb attack kills police
May 23 (BBC) A bomb planted in a rickshaw has killed at least 12 people in Quetta in south west Pakistan, officials say.
At least 10 of the dead were said to be security personnel. A number of other people were wounded.
"The target was a truck of Balochistan Constabulary which was carrying the security personnel," police official Fayyaz Sumbal said.
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About Sri Lanka ::-
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Introduction to Sri Lanka ::-
Sri Lanka is a beautiful island paradise in the Indian Ocean with white sandy beaches lush greenery, exciting adventures, amazing wildlife, cascading waterfalls and a rich heritage. The island of Sri Lanka is roughly pear-shaped. The total area of Sri Lanka is 65,610 sq km. Sri Lanka’s coastline is about 1,340 km (about 833 mi) around.
The people in Sri Lanka are warm and friendly. Sri Lankans are known for hospitality in all over the world. People in Sri Lanka ethnically fall into four main categories. The population of Sri Lanka is about 20 million. Sri Lanka has a tropical climate. Sri Lanka has a democratic government. Sri Lanka is mainly an agricultural country. Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948. Sri Lanka was known as Ceylon.
In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Sri Lanka became a plantation economy, famous for its production and export of cinnamon, rubber and Ceylon tea, which remains a trademark national export. By 1996 plantation crops made up only 20% of export, and further declined to 16.8% in 2005 (compared with 93% in 1970), while textiles and garments have reached 63%. The GDP grew at an average annual rate of 5.5% during the early 1990s, until a drought and a deteriorating security situation lowered growth to 3.8% in 1996. The economy rebounded in 1997-2000, with average growth of 5.3%.
Sri Lanka, with an income per head of $1,350, still lags behind some of its neighbors including Maldives and Mauritius but is ahead of its giant neighbor India. Its economy grew by an average of 5% during the 1990s during the 'War for Peace' era. According to the Sri Lankan central bank statistics, the economy was estimated to have grown by 7% last year, although inflation had reached 20%.
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May 23 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lanka is making arrangements for the largest business event ever held in the country when it holds the Commonwealth Business Forum (CBF) on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo this November.
Minister of External Affairs Professor G.L. Peiris met with the Director General of the Commonwealth Business Council, Peter Callaghan today at the Ministry to discuss the arrangements for the Business Forum.
According to the Ministry, the Commonwealth Business Council in London is collaborating actively with the Ministry to enhance the inflow of investment into Sri Lanka resulting from the Business Forum. (Ministry Photo)
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