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Omnicom Media Group-owned OMD has announced that it has opened an office in Sri Lanka, the company's 15th office in Asia, in partnership with the TAL Group.

Feb 26, Colombo: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is taking 13 government officials from central and provincial ministries on a 7-day study tour to learn how land ownership issues are being resolved in Timor-Leste (also known as East Timor), a country recovering from conflict.

Sri Lanka’s election department says it has completed the nomination period for April’s parliamentary vote.

Feb 26, Colombo: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday opened the Sooriyawewa integrated community water supply scheme, the largest water supply scheme in Asia ever constructed by the community.

Names of former Speaker WJM Lokubandara, actress Malini Fonseka & V. Muralitharan (Karuna Amman) included in UPFA national list-reporter-JNW

Feb 26, Colombo: Sri Lanka Police department will department will deploy some 65,000 officers to provide security to the polling stations and District Secretariats in the country on the day of the upcoming general election.

Fifteen independent groups have paid deposit money to contest Jaffna electoral district until Thursday evening, sources in Jaffna said. Meanwhile, four independent groups out of the six which had paid deposit money submitted their lists of candidates at Jaffna Secretariat Thursday, the sources added.

Met Dept says hot weather conditions affecting island may continue into next week; inter-monsoonal rain expected in 2nd week of March-JNW

Feb. 26 (Bloomberg) — Sri Lanka said General Sarath Fonseka , the defeated opposition candidate in January’s presidential election being detained for violating military law, will face additional charges in a civilian court.

(Lanka-e-News, Feb.26, 2010, 9.10AM) A number of former UNP MPs scrambled for positions in the nomination list for the Colombo District of Gen. Fonseka’s Democratic National Front (DNF) of which he is the leader…

(Lanka-e-News, Feb.26, 2010, 9.10AM) The Mirihana police conducted a search yesterday (24) of the Nalandaramaya Temple of Ven. Keeniyawala Palitha Thero following the receipt of….

(Lanka-e-News, Feb.26, 2010, 9.10AM) Vijitha Herath addressing a media briefing yesterday (25) at the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) office in Colombo said, because of Gen. Fonseka the whole of Sri Lanka …

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Sri Lanka has rightly raised objections to British Foreign Secretary David Miliband`s speech at an e..

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has assured to solve Colombo district Tamils problems, Colombo District..

The International Monetary Fund said on Thursday it is delaying the third tranche of a $2.6 billion ..

Mahintha Thilakumara Udugama, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) organizer of Jaffna and Vanni, paid Thursday deposit money to contest as an independent candidate in Jaffna district as he was not included in the SLFP nomination list, sources in Jaffna said. Meanwhile, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) accused the government for paying money to many independent groups [...]

India ’s Sachin Tendulkar became the first batsman to score a double century in one-day internationals on Wednesday.
Tendulkar, who opens the batting in ODIs, achieved the feat in the second one-dayer against South Africa, his 200 not out guiding the home team to 401-3 in 50 overs.  Tendulkar reached 200 with a single off Charl [...]

Tamil National Aliance (TNA) submitted Wednesday its list of candidates to contest Vanni district in the forthcoming parliamentary election at Vavuniyaa Secretariat, sources in Vavuniyaa said. Meanwhile, United National Party (UNP) is expected to submit Thursday its list of candidates contesting Jaffna district with Ms. Vijayakala Maheswaran, wife of late Thiyagarajah Maheswaran, former Colombo district [...]

Noting that “there is a natural affinity between Tamils in Britain and our [Conservative] Party,” William Hague, the British Shadow Foreign Secretary, in his speech to the inaugural launch of Global Tamil Forum, warned that the “continued confinement [of thousands] will simply sow the seeds of discontent, [and] could lead to renewed conflict in [...]

Feb. 26 (Bloomberg) — Sri Lanka said General Sarath Fonseka , the defeated opposition candidate in January’s presidential election being detained for violating military law, will face additional charges in a civilian court.

Feb. 26 (Bloomberg) — Sri Lanka said General Sarath Fonseka, the defeated opposition candidate in January’s presidential election who was arrested this month for violating military law, will face additional charges in a civilian court.

When the war against LTTE in Sri Lanka got over, it was thought that finally peace would arrive in the island nation after a brutal civil war for more than three decades.

Feb. 26 (Bloomberg) — Sri Lanka said General Sarath Fonseka, the defeated opposition candidate in January’s presidential election who was arrested this month for violating military law, will face additional charges in a civilian court.

Several years ago - in the Vesak month of May, 1999 to be exact - I carried a logo on the front page of Newslanka, placed in a box with a line drawing of Sri Lanka in the back ground. It simply said - ‘Be Sri Lanka what she will - with all her problems [...]

Mahintha Thilakumara Udugama, Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) organizer of Jaffna and Vanni, paid Thursday deposit money to contest as an independent candidate in Jaffna district as he was not included in the SLFP nomination list, sources in Jaffna said. Meanwhile, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) accused the government for paying money to many independent groups [...]

Feb 25, Colombo: Submitting nominations for the upcoming general election on April 8th was in full swing with several political parties and independent groups handing in their nominations today ahead of tomorrow’s noon deadline

The International Monetary Fund on Thursday said it would delay releasing the third tranche of Sri Lanka’s 2.6-billion-dollar bailout package until after the island’s new budget in May.

The International Monetary Fund on Thursday said it would delay releasing the third tranche of Sri Lanka’s 2.6-billion-dollar bailout package until after the island’s new budget in May.

Source: Reuters By Shihar Aneez and Ranga Sirilal COLOMBO, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Opposition parties in Sri Lanka which backed former army commander General Sarath Fonseka in presidential polls last month have decided …

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says that the overall economic condition in Sri Lanka is improving as expected.

Feb 25, Colombo: Sri Lanka’s main opposition alliance United National Front (UNF) said it has finalized the nomination list of the candidates for the 22 districts (UNF) contesting the forthcoming General Election under the elephant symbol.

Source: Reuters By Shihar Aneez and Ranga Sirilal

COLOMBO, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Opposition parties in Sri Lanka which backed former army commander General Sarath Fonseka in presidential polls last month have decided …

Feb 25, Colombo: Sri Lanka Navy safely brought 22 Sri Lankan fishermen released from Indian custody to the Kankasanthurai harbor yesterday evening.

The World Organisation against Torture has urged the President to carry out a effective investigation into the disappearance of journalist Eknaligoda.

Feb 25, Colombo: Sri Lanka Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dishanayake has informed all the District Returning Officers to declare the District Secretariats as special Security Zones from tomorrow.

Feb 25, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government said today that it is attempting to renegotiate the European Union’s Generalized System of Preferences plus (GSP+) tariff concession purely on legitimate reasons.

Feb 25, Colombo: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa ceremoniously opened the final stage of Kerawalapitiya Combined Cycle Thermal Power Plant today adding another 100 mega watts of power to the national grid.

The Sri Lankan government has announced a series of new charges against Sarath Fonseka, under civil laws, in addition to military charges.

(Lanka-e-News, Feb.25, 2010, 7.00PM) It is reported that President Rajapakse has reprimanded his Seniors, front-liners and Ministers not to harass, insult or humiliate the UNP ers who have joined the Govt. and taken portfolios…

Feb 25, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government said today that charges will be filed under the Sri Lankan Penal Code and Exchange Control Act against the former military chief and defeated presidential candidate General (Retd) Sarath Fonseka within the next two weeks.

Feb 25, Colombo: Sri Lanka, by a substantial amount exceeded the overall deficit target of 7 percent of GDP required to receive the third tranche of the US$ 2.6 billion stand-by agreement and disbursing the installment would be delayed until after the general elections, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) official said today.

Sri Lanka’s opposition coalition said Friday it has split after its defeated presidential candidate was detained on allegations of sedition, further strengthening President Mahinda Rajapaksa ahead of …

Source: IRIN The use of hazardous pesticides in Asian countries has exposed communities across the region to unacceptably high
health risks, according to a study conducted by the international Pesticide Action Network

(Lanka-e-News, Feb.25, 2010, 5.45PM) ‘Citizen’s vigil’ yesterday (24) held a silent demonstration at Alexandra roundabout in the vicinity of Vihara maha Devi Park while lighting oil…

(Lanka-e-News, Feb.25, 2010, 5.45PM) Export development Minister Dr. G L Peiris stated today (25) that within a fortnight a case will be filed against Gen. Fonseka in the High Court under the penal code and the disciplinary code. The Attorney General’s Dept. is in the process of preparing the indictments right now, he added… [...]

Political, social and economic movements, firmly rooted in national aspiration and democratic in structure, but placed above pseudo electoral politics in the island and power machinations outside, are the need of the hour for Eezham Tamils in the homeland and in the diaspora. Specific tasks ahead of them range from infrastructural nation-formation to damage control [...]

Feb. 25 (Bloomberg) — The International Monetary Fund said it may consider changing a $2.6 billion loan package to Sri Lanka after the country’s 2009 budget deficit exceeded the lender’s target under the aid program.

Charges against detained Gen. Sarath Fonseka will be filed in civil courts under the Penal Code and Exchange Control Act in two weeks' time, said government minister Prof. G.L. Periris today (Feb. 25).

Sri Lanka Navy brought twenty-two (22) Sri Lankan fishermen safely home after their release from Indian custody yesterday (24th February 2010).

British Foreign Secretary David Milliband, Conservative Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague and Liberal Democrats Shadow Foreign Secretary Ed Davey all addressed the Global Tamil Forum’s inaugural meeting in London on Wednesday, 24 February. The Global Tamil Forum (GTF) launch saw delegates from 14 countries gather in the UK House of Commons to be addressed by [...]

COLOMBO, Feb 25 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is delaying the third tranche of a $2.6 billion loan for Sri Lanka, IMF officials said on Thursday, saying they are unhappy that the island missed fiscal targets. “Yes, the third tranche will be delayed and completed when the budget is formulated after the election.” [...]

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown added to the controversy created by his Foreign Secretary David Miliband by turning up for an event in London yesterday, an event which the Sri Lankan government had described as being in…

COLOMBO, Feb 25 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is delaying the third tranche of a $2.6 billion loan for Sri Lanka, IMF officials said on Thursday, saying they are unhappy that the island missed fiscal targets. “Yes, the third tranche will be delayed and completed when the budget is formulated after the election.” [...]

(Lanka-e-News, Feb. 25, 2010, 12.05 PM) At the elections for the post of President of the SL Bar Association held yesterday (24) evening, PC Shibly Azeez won the …

The Government decided to arrest and institute action against General Sarath Fonseka as he had used his official position as the Army Commander and Chief of Defence Staff to establish connections with political parties with a view…

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (Mahajana Wing) yesterday said they have nominated seven candidates from their party to contest the upcoming general election under the elephant symbol.

Opening another chapter in the country’s power generation sphere, the second and final stage of multi-fuel combined cycle power plant at Kerawalapitiya will be commissioned by President Mahinda Rajapaksa today.

The Elections Department has received several complaints on recruitment, transfers and promotions in the State sector despite the Elections Commissioner imposing a ban on such activities until the completion of the forthcoming parliamentary elections, Elections…

COLOMBO, Feb 25 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is delaying the third tranche of a $2.6 billion loan for Sri Lanka, IMF officials said on Thursday, saying they are unhappy that the island missed fiscal targets.