• Male body found in well in Vavuniya

    The body of a 68 year old man was found in a well in Marakkaarampalai on Saturday, reports Uthayan.

    It is believed to be that of Palaswamy Arunaasalam, who was reported missing after he set off towards Vavuniya on 2nd January.

  • Gotabhaya to interview dual citizenship applicants

    Applicants for dual citizenship will now have to face an interview panel led by none other than the Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, after having their application approved by the Immigration Department.

    The panel will also include the Foreign Ministry Secretary Karunatillake Amunugama and Public Administration Secretary PB Abeykoon.

  • Japanese govt pledges aid for flood affected

    The Japanese government has pledged approximately 23 million Japanese Yen in donations for those affected by the floods. The assistance includes tents, plastic sheets and sleeping pads and will be distributed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

    In a statement, the Japanese embassy said:

  • Govt grapples with defaulting foreign investors

    In an effort to deal with the increasing number of foreign investors who are defaulting on loans from state banks, the Sri Lankan government has pledged an investigation - an international one.

  • Military makes up for 'lack of teachers' in Kilinochchi
    The Sri Lankan Army has denied allegations that soldiers teach wearing military uniform in Kilinochchi schools, reports the Daily Mirror.

    Military spokesperson, Ruwan Wanigasuriya said that the troops who had been called in to make up for the 'lack of teachers' in the area were given appropriate training and also contracted to work in civilian clothing and not military uniforms.
  • Mutilated body of young woman found in Karainagar
    The mutilated body of a 27 year old woman was found in a disused well in Karainagar on Thursday reports Uthayan.

    The body is believed to be that of Kajenthini Rasathurai, a young woman from Sandilipai with mental health concerns.
  • Media ministry demands registration from websites

    The Sri Lankan media ministry has sent letters to websites, asking them to register and pay the fee by January 15, reported ColomboPage.

    New regulations, brought in by the government last year, stipulate that websites on the island need to register and pay registration fees of Rs 25,000 and an annual fee of Rs 10,000.

  • It's all about China
    Basil Rajapakse, Minister of Economic Development, recently told media that a number of promotional campaigns targetting Chinese tourists will be implemented this year.

    The ministry expects to increase the number of arrivals from China to 60,000 - up from over 22,000 in 2012 - in 2013, and so has launched several campaigns to raise 'awareness' about Sri Lanka's many tourist 'attractions'.
  • Voluntary' key to refugee return says UN refugee chief

    In an interview with The Hindu, Antonio Guterres, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, highlighted the need to re-establish the confidence of Tamils so that they may return, whilst making a point of stressing that this return must be voluntary. 

    See full interview here.  Extracts reproduced below: 

    "The number of people going back to Sri Lanka has decreased substantially in the recent past. We need to look into what are the obstacles and how the two governments of India and Sri Lanka, working together can improve the conditions and create opportunities for the voluntary repatriation of the people. Voluntary is the key word here."

  • SL seeks new $1bn IMF loan

    The Sri Lankan government is to seek out a further loan from the International Monetary Fund after the failure of foreign investment to materialise. See LBO's report.

  • Australians protest against cricket tour as campaign grows

    More than 50 Australians gathered outside the Sydney Cricket Ground to protest against Australia hosting the Sri Lankan cricket team in their tour of the country, as more supporters signed on to the boycott Sri Lanka cricket campaign.

  • Rs. 95 billion loss and ‘a high quality service’

    Sri Lanka’s state owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) posted losses of Rs. 95 billion, according to Managing Director Susantha De Silva, while a government minister insisted that a high quality service was being provided, ruling out privatisation of the company.

  • Lions in sheep’s clothing

    Two villages in the Vadamaraadchi region of the Jaffna peninsula saw Christmas events organised by the Sri Lankan Army.

  • Tamil loan default rates almost zero

    Sri Lanka’s outgoing Bank of Ceylon Bank of Ceylon chairman has stated that rates of default on state loans were almost zero in the North-East, a stark contrast to the rest of the country.

    Gamini Wickramasinghe was quoted as saying,

  • Russian nuclear scientists to visit Sri Lanka

    A Russian nuclear power team will visit Sri Lanka laster this month to inspect the energy sector output on the island.

    The Russian ambassador Alexander Kerchava last month offered Russia's assistance to Sri Lanka in trade, energy, economy and the social sector, reported ColomboPage.

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