Sri Lanka`s Fingerprint database to get digitized

The fingerprints of around 550,000 persons, including hardcore underworld criminals, will be computerized by the Fingerprint Bureau of the Police Department.

According to a senior police officer, the data has ready been fed to the main server and the new system will enable the tracking down the details of a suspect within a few seconds.

The system will also connect the police stations around the country, and share information about persons involved in various criminal activities.

Sri Lanka welcomes one millionth tourist

Achieving another remarkable milestone in the country s booming tourism industry, Sri Lanka Tourism welcomed the arrival of 1,000,000th tourist in year 2012 at Bandaranaike International Airport last night.

Lakshman Yapa Abeywardhana, Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism- Bhashwara Gunarathna , Kamal Rathwaththa Deputy Chairman Of Airport and Aviation(LTD), Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Rumy Jauffer with a group of representatives from travel and tourism industry warmly welcomed the guest Ms. Jiang Ying and her husband from China who arrived in Sri Lanka via flight UL 889 from Beijing at 10.00 p.m. Sri Lanka Tourism took steps to arrange a special ceremony to welcome the 1,000,000th guest.

DRIVER IMPROVEMENT POINTS SYSTEM BEGINS 1st OF JANUARY

Two rules will be implemented initially from the list of grading drivers

Department Motor Traffic has informed that the driver improvement points system will be implemented from today the 1st of January 2013.  It is now reported that only two rules will be implemented initially from the list passed out recently. Accordingly, 12 points for the drunkard drivers and 12 points for a severe/fatal road accident will be first implemented.  The driving license has to be renewed once in every two years and if the driver has got below 18 marks, it can be renewed easily with the permission of the Commissioner of Motor Traffic.

Drivers who get point’s between18-23 can get their driver’s license renewed after having taken permission of the commissioner of Motor Traffic., whereas the driving license of the drivers who obtain points more than 23 will be suspended for a period of a year. It is also reported that if a driver gets less than 24 points in two years and if he doesn’t get any points in the following year as well, 6 marks will be deducted from his total in the third year and then if he doesn’t get marks consecutively, all his points will be cancelled.

IN 2012: WIKIPEDIA TO LEARN ABOUT FACEBOOK

Most number of searches in 2012 have been on Face book

The end of the world and erotic stories too are on the top of the list
Wikipedia which is a free encyclopedia on the internet is a book of knowledge on everything. Most of the people are using it to search for a lot of topics. by Johan Gunderson has done a research on the internal log report on what the people have been searching on Wikipedia and his research has been published.
According to his research many viewer have looked on the topic “FACE BOOK”. Second had been on “Wiki” and the third had been on “the number of deaths in 2012”.
“One Direction” had been the fourth and “Avengers” which created a number of famous cinema characters have been the fifth most searched.
E.L James’ erotic fiction “Fifth Shades of Grey” had been rated on as the sixth. Seventh have been on the “Phenomena of the end of the world in 2012” and the eighth had been on the adventure movie “The dark night rises”.  Nine has been on “Google”, tenth on the novel “the hunger games”.

BED BUG ISSUE IN DIYATALAWA LEADERSHIP TRAINING:

At the Leadership Training course a new entrant female medical student had got her parents to complain to the Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa for not taking action for her grievances:

The leadership training course for new University entrants is presently taking place at the Air Force Camp in Diyatalawa. A new female entrant who in undergoing had complained to the responsible organisers that she had been bitten by bugs while given to sleep on a rubber mattress. Her complaint had fallen on the deaf years of the officials.

Rotten potatoes buried

Over 28, 000 kilos of spoilt potatoes that had been imported from Pakistan were disposed off on the orders of Dambulla Magistrate Sarath Morawaka today.

The potatoes stock that was seized from a trader in the area was buried in the Digampathana area.

(Cull From Sundaytimes)

Lankan charged with cheating Saudi Arabian

Lakmal Sooriyagoda

A Sri Lankan job agent, who was produced in Court on charges of having defrauded a Saudi Arabian of Rs.3.2 million on the promise he would find him 11 housemaids, was ordered to be remanded till January 9 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Kanishka Wijeratne.
The Colombo Fraud Investigations Bureau (CFIB) carried out its investigations on the basis of a complaint made by the Saudi Arabian who alleged that he had paid US$33,000 to the job agent.
The complainant told the CFIB that he had come to Sri Lanka to recruit 11 housemaids to work in Saudi Arabia. He alleged that though the Sri Lankan -- Lahireen Saibudan of Wellampitiya was paid the money asked for he had renegaded on the promise. The Saudi Arabian said several cheques issued by the Lankan had been dishonoured by the bank.

(Cull From Dailymirror)

US$ 100 billion economy by 2016: CB Governor

Sandun A. Jayasekara

Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal today said the country has passed a sharp bend and recovered from the global economic melt down in its journey to the progress and predicted the future of Sri Lanka would be bright.

Making the presentation “Road Map 2013 and Beyond’ at the Central Bank auditorium, Mr. Cabraal stressed that  Sri Lanka has envisaged reaching a US$ 100 billion economy by 2016 and the banks and non banking financial institutions (NBFI) would have to play a critical role.

“If Sri Lanka is successful over the next three years, the country would surely be the next “Break-out Nation” and the ‘Wonder of Asia,” Mr. Cabraal said.

Czech tourist found dead

A 60 year-old Czech tourist was found dead in a Hotel room in Hikkaduwa yesterday, police said.

The victim was identified as Huster Joseph had come to Sri Lanka on December 16 last year.

(Cull From Dailymirror)

SL quick Shaminda Eranga injured at 3rd test

 
Sri Lanka's Australian tour hit an incredible new low today with promising fast bowler Shaminda Eranga suffering a freak leg injury during training on the eve of the third Test in Sydney.
Eranga was playing in a warm-up game of soccer with his teammates when he collapsed to the ground - causing an immediate end to the game.
Nervous coaching staff attended to the 26-year-old while he lay on the ground before he gingerly got to his feet.
The right-arm quick, who has taken five wickets at an average of 50 in the opening two Tests, limped his way to the dressing rooms where he was due to receive further attention.
It is unknown whether he will miss the final Test of the series starting at the SCG tomorrow, but captain Mahela Jayawardene admitted he could still not finalise a team.

Maximum retail price for drugs

Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera

Consumer Affairs Minister Johnston Fernando said today a Gazette Notification had been issued to specify the maximum retail price of drugs with effect from January 1.

He said the decision was taken to prevent different pharmacists from selling the same medicinal drug at different prices even though they were manufactured by the same company.

“Earlier the manufacturers, importers and pharmacists specified the prices but under the Gazette Notification this can only be done by the manufacturers and the importers,” the minister said. “We hope to take further action with regard to the sale of medicinal drugs in collaboration with the Health Ministry and put a stop to the sale ofmedicinal drugs at different prices.”

He said he would introducea system of price control on medicinal drugs as the second step.

(Cull From Dailymirror)

Clash at cosmetic factory

A tense situation was reported from Horana, Millawa due to a clash between a group of employees of a
cosmetic manufacturing company and its management.
The employees who staged the protest had attacked those temporarily hired by the company as reinstatements during the strike.
The striking employees had attacked the police who came to the scene as well. Two policemen were admitted to the Horana Hospital while another eight employees were admitted to the Padukka and Homagama Hospitals.
Eight persons were arrested in connection with the incident.
The police and a team of STF were called in to bring the situation under control.

(Cull From Dailymirror)

Direct Korean Airlines flights to Colombo soon

Korean Airlines will start direct flights from Seoul to Colombo this year, South Korean ambassador in Sri Lanka Jung Moon Choi said.

He said the launch of direct flights between Seoul and Colombo will boost tourism, investment and trade.

Flood damaged roads repaired

I L M Rizan, Addalaichenai central correspondent

Most roads damaged due to floods in Akkaraipattu have been repaired. The other roads will be reconstructed soon, Mayor Athaulla Ahamed Zackie said.
He was speaking at a special meeting at the Akkaraipattu Municipal Council to discuss the damage caused by adverse weather in the district.
Municipal Commissioner A L M Azmi, municipal engineer A M M Hakeem, municipal secretary M I A Latiff, administrative officer M A Habeebur Rahuman, technical officer M A M Irfan and other officials participated.
The Mayor said all officials of the Municipal Council, Divisional Secretariat, Department of Irrigation, Police, Road Development Authority, Civil Security Service and Disaster Management Unit did the best to provide relief to the flood affected.

(Cull From Daily News)

Party leaders must decide on Impeachment resolution

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

It is up to the party leaders now to decide on taking up of the resolution to impeach Chief Justice Dr Shirani Bandaranayaka for debate, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa said yesterday.

Speaker Rajapaksa said, the leaders of political parties will meet this week to discuss the dates for the debate on the findings of the Parliamentary Select Committee(PSC) that probed the charges against the CJ.

The Party leaders are likely to arrive at a decision on the impeachment debate when Parliament convenes on January 8 for the first time this year. Asked if he had anything to say about the notices issued to him and PSC members that investigated impeachment charges against Chief Justice Dr Shirani Bandaranayaka, the Speaker said he has nothing to comment.

Government revenue increased by 10 percent

Irangika RANGE



The total government revenue has increased by 10 percent in the first eight months of last year from Rs.574,588 to Rs. 631,984 mi llion compared to the same period in 2011, an official of the Finance and Planing Ministry said.

He said, the tax revenue has increased by 9.8 percent to Rs. 562,589 million while the non-tax revenue increased by 11.6 percent to Rs. 69,395 million during the same period.

The official said this performance should be viewed in the backdrop of domestic policy measures to curtail import expenditure which had a dampening impact on import trade, thus affecting the trade related taxes while a slowdown in global economic activities, coupled with prolonged drought, had a negative impact on the domestic aggregate demand resulting in a slowdown in the revenue from domestic taxes.

Army Refuses To Budge

By Niranjala Ariyawansha

The military has no intention of withdrawing army camps in Jaffna despite intense pressure exerted by the international community and Tamil political parties.
Jaffna Security Forces Commander Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe said despite the end of the war almost four years ago, the LTTE is still active.
“The army is aware of this and remains vigilant,” Major General Hathurusinghe told The Sunday Leader.
The United States and Britain has repeatedly urged the government to reduce the military presence in Jaffna following the end of the war. The Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) appointed to probe the 30-year war which ended in 2009 had also called for a reduction in the military presence in the former war zones.

No Move To Ban Porn Websites in Sri Lanka

By Indika Sri Aravinda

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) says there is no move to ban access to porn websites in Sri Lanka.
TRC Director General Anusha Pelpita said that either a court order or a request from the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) will be needed to impose a ban on access to porn websites.
A news report last week said that Sri Lankans search for the word ‘sex’ on Google than most in the region.
This is according to Google Trends, a public web facility that shows how often a particular search-term is entered relative to the total search-volume across various regions of the world, and in various languages.
According to Google Trends, search for the term ‘sex’ peaked in Sri Lanka during the week April 15-21, 2012, even as the partial data for the last week (December 23-29, 2012) shows it as second-highest week during which the term was Googled in 2012.
Pelpita told The Sunday Leader that there were over one million porn websites and although access to some have been banned in Sri Lanka they are still accessible through proxy websites.
He said that if parents want their children to avoid accessing porn websites then they should take the responsibility and act on it.
Pelpita noted that there are so many softwares which can be used to restrict access to porn websites.
He said that if porn websites are banned in Sri Lanka then it will slow access to even normal websites in Sri Lanka as a result of the technology used.

(Cull From The Sanday Leader)

Govt. to apply curbs on housemaid jobs

By Rasika SOMARATHNA

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE)aims to reduce females migrating for overseas jobs as domestic aides by 80-90 per cent by 2020. “We do not approve females going for overseas work as domestic aides. However, we cannot put a full stop to it immediately. Therefore, we have launched a number of programmes to upgrade their skills and find more gainful employment in specialized vocations,” SLBFE chairman Amal Senalankadikara said.
For many years now, Sri Lanka’s migrant labour force has been dominated by female house maids(especially to Middle East). Although this category of workers have earned billions of rupees as foreign revenue, experts believe their migration abroad has caused social problems .

No child soldiers in Sri Lanka - UN closes dossier

by Manjula Fernando


The United Nations Security Council Working group on Children and Armed Conflict closed its dossier on Sri Lanka after deciding that children in armed conflict is no longer an issue here.
The Working Group had adopted the ‘Draft Conclusions on the situation of children and armed conflict in Sri Lanka’ on December 19, 2012 and were convinced that there were no child soldiers in the country.
Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Dr. Palitha Kohona in an email to the Sunday Observer yesterday said, ”Another reminder of a sad part of our recent history is now behind us.”
Prior to adopting the Draft Conclusions, the Working Group had considered the report of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict in Sri Lanka, and its recommendations in accordance with Security Council resolutions 1612 (2005) and 1882 (2009).

Essential foodstuff sent to North

by Mohammed Naalir

The Government has sent essential foodstuff in 10 lorries to the North to be distributed among those affected by floods in Mannar, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts, Northern Province Governor Major General G.A. Chandrasiri said.
Foodstuff has been sent to the North from Anuradhapura. A team of Engineers has been sent to inspect the reservoirs in the flood-affected areas, the Governor said.
The Mannar district was the worst affected due to floods. Mannar, Nanattan, Musali, Madhu and Manthai Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the district were badly affected. Four thousand two hundred and twenty nine families (17,339 persons) had been affected in the Mannar district, District Disaster Management Officer A.C.M. Riyas said.
He said that 1,307 families (4,623 persons) have been housed in 17 welfare centres.
The Northern province Governor said that 1,536 families, (5,090 persons), 6,092 families (25,000 persons) and 700 families had been affected in the Mullaitivu, Vavuniya and Kilinochchi districts.
Reservoirs in the Mullaitivu, Mannar, Kilinochchi and Vavuniya districts are overflowing.
The sluice gates of the Iranamadu tank have been opened, a spokesman for the Kilinochchi Regional Deputy Irrigation Director’s office said.

India will bounce back against Pak: Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar might have called time on his limited-overs career but he says his heart is still with the team and exuded confidence that India would bounce back in the ODI series against arch-rivals Pakistan.

“Even though I am not part of the team now, my heart is always with the team. I will support the team all the way. And I have no doubt that the team is going to bounce back in the series,” Tendulkar said during his first interaction with the media after his retirement from ODIs.

“The team needs good wishes and support from all of us. They need good feedback from everybody so that they can play good cricket,” he said, while also offering the countrymen good wishes in the new year.

“Now 2013 has set in and I would like to wish the people of this country happiness and good health,” he added.

Flood disaster worsens: Northern Province also hit (Sri Lanka)

By Nadia Fazlulhaq

The death toll due to the floods and landslides caused by heavy rains that have affected 21 districts in the country in the past two weeks has reached 40 with more than 400,000 persons affected.
The number of damaged houses has reached 25,865 by yesterday, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), with the deaths being reported mainly from the Matale, Batticaloa, Anuradhapura and Puttalam districts.
During the past few days, the Northern Province was lashed by heavy showers and more than 105,000 people have been affected there with some 33,000 sheltered in make-shift camps.
Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said the Government had allocated Rs. 142 million relief assistance and the money had been sent to the District Secretaries.In the North, the Mannar, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu districts were the worst hit.