Sri Log

Sri Lanka Marxists to launch protest campaign against rising cost of living

jamal — Sat, 19 May 2012 05:50:05 +0000

May 19, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) is to launch a series of island wide protest campaigns against the rising cost of living (CoL).

The JVP says the protest campaign would be launched at district level and would be carried out from Sunday, May 20th till the 27th. The first protest of the series is to be held in Piliyandala in Colombo on the 20th.

JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said the protest campaign is aimed at calling the government to immediately address the issue of price hikes of essential items.

He claimed that the government had allowed arbitrary increases of prices burdening the people.

More protests will be held in Yakkala, Gampaha on the 23rd, in Ambalantota in Hambantota on the 24th and Matara on the 25th.

Sri Lanka opposition parties inform government of their stance on the parliamentary committee

jamal — Sat, 19 May 2012 05:50:04 +0000

May 19, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s main opposition United National Party (UNP) and the major Tamil political party, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) have in writing informed the government of their stance on participating in the proposed Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to formulate a political solution.

The UNP and TNA have sent the joint letter following a discussion between the two parties.

The two parties met for a discussion on finding a political solution to the national question and implementing the recommendations of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) following a meeting between the UNP and President Mahinda Rajapaksa earlier in the week.

The UNP and the TNA have called on the government to implement the 17th Amendment to the Constitution and the LLRC recommendations that are acceptable to all parties.

The Tamil party has urged the government to present a reliable programme to guarantee the party’s participation in the Parliamentary Select Committee and the party is to decide on its participation in the PSC following the government’s response.

The UNP meanwhile has expressed its willingness to help bring the TNA to participate in the PSC.

Whale Watching in Trincomalee

jamal — Fri, 18 May 2012 23:49:15 +0000

Ebert Silva Holidays offer another unique package to Trincomalee on ‘Ocean Safaris’; their latest brand introduced for responsible Whale and Dolphin watching in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has gained international acclaim as the number one hotspot in the world to see Blue and Sperm Whales and is known to be an ideal location for close encounters with the largest mammal ever to live on earth and to witness numerous other varieties of Dolphins.

An exclusive tour of 2 nights and 3 days is scheduled for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of June.

The tour itinerary includes a whale and dolphin watching cruise on a Sri Lankan naval vessel on day 2. The cruise will take off in the early hours of the day, where guests are able to utilize the expertise of professionals and sail in comfort. There will also be lifesaving teams and medical personnel on board with snacks and bar facilities adding further enjoyment to the memorable experience.

The tour includes sightseeing of Pigeon Island, Kinniya hot wells, the Koneswaran Temple, city area and other places of interest. The package includes comfortable A/ C accommodation on full board twin sharing basis, luxury A/ C transport with day 1 breakfast and day 3 lunches at the Ambepussa Hotels Corporation Avanhala en route.

Thailand supported Lanka in times of need – Minister Basil Rajapaksa

jamal — Fri, 18 May 2012 23:49:03 +0000

Thailand supported Lanka in times of need – Minister Basil
Rajapaksa

Thailand supported Sri Lanka at international forums, especially at
the recently concluded UNCHR sessions. Longstanding historical relations
between the two countries strengthened as Thailand supported Sri Lanka
when the country faced critical issues in the international arena,
Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said.

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa with new
ambassador of Thailand to Sri Lanka Poldej Worachat
yesterday.

Minister Rajapaksa said so when the new ambassador of Thailand to Sri
Lanka Poldej Worachat paid a courtesy call on him at the ministry
yesterday.

Ambassador Worachat said relations between the two countries have not
been confined to economic and political issues.

“Throughout history, the two countries have maintained a close
cultural relationship because Theravada Buddhism has enlightened the
lives of the people of both countries. Buddhism is the main reason
behind the close cultural relations,” he said.

Minister Rajapaksa said Sri Lanka has a rich agricultural history as
is evident by the tanks built by kings, but the occupancy by western
powers destroyed the rich heritage and Sri Lanka become a rice importing
country dependent on others for her food items.

“Sri Lanka has now become a rice exporting country. The country will
export its first shipment of maize production this month,” the minister
said.

When Sri Lanka initiated the maize development programme four years
ago, the biggest problem was to get the required seeds. However the Thai
government provided them, he said thanking the Thai government.

Minister Rajapaksa and the Thai ambassador discussed ways and means
of improving economic relations between the two countries. They agreed
to have close cooperation on road development, agriculture, tourism,
small industries and handicraft development, fishing and textile sector
development.

The minister said Sri Lanka will give priority to highway development
while safeguarding the interests of the people.

The northern highway is under construction and will link Colombo,
Kurunegala, Kandy and Trincomalee. The government will not destroy the
country’s hill area and will link Kandy through Kurunegala not affecting
the mountain or the environment, he said.

US Embassy Partners to Organize Agricultural Biotechnology Workshop

jamal — Fri, 18 May 2012 23:49:00 +0000

U.S. Embassy Colombo is partnering with GENETECH Sri Lanka, the University of Colombo, Michigan State University, and the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka to organize an Agricultural Biotechnology Workshop May 21-25 in Colombo.

Funded by the International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, the workshop aims to create awareness of the bio-safety of genetically engineered (GE) crops and promote best practices from biotechnology laboratories to farmers’ fields.

Agricultural biotechnology increases farmers’ productivity, reduces the use of fertilizers, and boosts the nutritional value of crops. As a pioneer in agricultural biotechnology, the United States has created a robust regulatory framework to ensure the safety of GE crops that can serve as a model for countries seeking to address global food challenges. The U.S. Embassy is helping create more awareness on GE crops within Sri Lanka, and has strong cooperation with the National Science Foundation and Government of Sri Lanka. The U.S. Embassy has assisted Sri Lanka to set up research laboratories that will allow farmers in the field to receive the newest technology to safely increase their productivity.

Three American agricultural biotechnology experts will attend the workshop. Robert Frederick, project manager of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mark Halsey, Director of Product Development at the Danforth Plant Science Center, and Dr. Cholani Weebadde, Assistant Professor at the Institute of International Agriculture of Michigan State University, will speak on the environmental safety of GE crops and how U.S. bio-safety regulations have evolved. The workshop will also feature American experts joining via video feed as well as visiting speakers from India and Sri Lanka.

- Asian Tribune -

Sri Lankan court calls former Attorney General to give evidence in journalist’s disappearance case

jamal — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:43:06 +0000

May 18, Colombo: A Sri Lankan court has ordered a former Attorney General to appear before the court to give evidence in the case of the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda.

Homagama Magistrate T.G.S.A. Perera has ordered former Attorney General Mohan Peiris to appear before court to give evidence at the Eknaligoda case on June 5th.

The Magistrate has previously reserved the order on March 26 after the state counsel challenged the validity of the transcript copy of the statement made by the former Attorney General in last year that Eknaligoda had sought asylum in a foreign country.

However, the counsel for the complainant Sandya Eknaligoda had produced the document when the prosecution objected to summon the former Attorney General to give evidence without proof of him having made the statement in Geneva.

The Magistrate has now summoned the former Attorney General to appear in court next month to give evidence.

Ekneligoda, a cartoonist for a local web site disappeared on January 24, 2010, just days ahead of the Presidential elections.

Education sector trade union of Sri Lanka calls for positive plans for the sector

jamal — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:43:05 +0000

May 18, Colombo: A trade union affiliated to Sri Lanka’s education sector says the education authorities need to come up with positive plans for the sector.

The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) notes that the Education Ministry lacked proper plans for the country’s education sector.

CTU Secretary, Joseph Stalin has said the circular issued by the Education Ministry stopping student transfers among national schools and later suspending it was a clear case indicating the lack of a proper vision for the education sector by the authorities.

Stalin however has called on the Education Ministry to completely withdraw the circular without suspending it.

According to the trade unionist, the Education Ministry needs to formulate a new student enrolment method in consultation with educationists, teachers, principals, trade unions and other stakeholders.

Sri Lanka’s main opposition asks government to write off Ampara District farmers’ debt

jamal — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:43:03 +0000

May 18, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s main opposition United National Party (UNP) has asked the government to write off debt of farmers from the Ampara District.

UNP National Organizer and Opposition Leader of the Eastern Provincial Council Daya Gamage has called on the government to write off the debt of paddy farmers from the Ampara District who have failed to sell their harvest for a proper price.

Gamage has made the request at the Ampara District Development Committee meeting.

He has explained that 38 per cent of the paddy farmers in the district have been unable to pay back their loans due to the low prices received for their harvest.

He has noted that farmers have been forced to sell their paddy for around Rs. 22 per kilo despite a government imposed certified price of Rs. 28 and Rs. 30 per kilo of nadu and samba respectively.

According to Gamage, paddy farmers have also been affected by a 25 per cent increase in production costs.

He has said the farmers could only survive if the certified price of a kilo of paddy is increased to Rs. 40.

Sri Lanka hosts third South Asian Mobile Conference in Colombo

jamal — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:43:01 +0000

May 18, Colombo: Sri Lankan capital Colombo will host the South Asian Mobile Conference 2012 on May 30th at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel.

The third South Asian Mobile Conference is aimed at discussing the ways of benefiting the daily lives of people through mobile phones.

The Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), which functions under the Presidential Secretariat, hosts the conference while Etisalat provides the strategic sponsorship.

Reshan Dewapura, CEO of ICTA will welcome the panelists to the one-day conference. Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga is scheduled to deliver the opening remarks.

CEO Founder of Mobilium International, Ralph Simon, who is regarded as a founder in the modern Mobile Entertainment Industry will deliver a keynote address at the conference.

Sri Lanka mobile industry is ahead of many countries with 18 million mobile users out of its 21-million populations.

Oman Air Nominated ‘Best Business Class Airline, Middle East’

jamal — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:43:09 +0000

Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, was awarded ‘Best Business Class Airline, Middle East’ at the prestigious Business Destinations Travel Awards 2012.

The Business Destinations Travel Awards are voted for by readers of Business Destinations magazine, which is published in the UK every other month. The magazine has a worldwide readership of more than 100,000 and is distributed in premium aircraft cabins and airport lounges, to travel professionals and is sold through retail outlets.

Wayne Pearce, Oman Air’s CEO, said, “We are delighted that Oman Air has been named as ‘Best Business Class Airline, Middle East’ in the Business Destinations Travel Awards. This follows on from last year’s win by Oman Air of the ‘Best Luxury Airline, Middle East’ category, so we are extremely pleased that the quality of our premium service has been recognised for the second year running.

My thanks go to Business Destinations’ readers and to all our staff, throughout Oman Air, who have played a vital role in transforming the airline into the luxury carrier it is today, and ensuring the success of our outstanding and internationallyrecognised business class offering.”

The award follows the introduction over the last two years of a brand new fleet of Airbus A330′s to the airline’s long haul routes, the launch from March 2011 of Embraer 175s on short haul routes, the pioneering of onboard mobile phone and Wi-fi connectivity and the unveiling of superb new business class and first class lounges at Muscat International Airport. A state-of-the-art new Business Class lounge was also opened in Bangkok.

Oman Air’s Business Class provides a luxurious travel experience for every passenger, rivalling many other airlines’ first class offering. With seats in a 1-2-1 configuration which offers every passenger direct aisle access, they convert to an 82-inch long, fully lie-flat bed at the touch of a button.

Each seat also has a 17-inch video screen offering the latest inflight entertainment packages with a great selection of movies, music, games and live satellite TV, as well as USB ports and ipod sockets which allow passengers to personalise their entertainment choices. Awardwinning amenity kits and delicious a la carte menus, served by highlytrained crew attired in Balenciagadesigned uniforms, add that extra touch of refinement.