Kilinochchi, once dominated by the LTTE, is seeing great progress after it was liberated by the Security Forces early last year during their massive humanitarian operation. Following the resettlement of Kilinochchi residents, the Government has turned its attention to fulfilling the educational needs of children there. Many schools are being renovated and re-opened so that children could pursue their studies uninterrupted in a peaceful climate. Here MP Namal Rajapaksa, the chief guest at the re-opening of the Dharmapuram Vidyalayam in Kilinochchi last week helps a young student to cut the ribbon at the ceremony.

The Government will not succumb to private bus operators’ demands.

The Acting Minister of Transport Mr. Rohana Dissanayake said that the demands being made by the private bus operators to permit them to increase the initial bus fare by Rs. 1/= and make the initial bus fare from Rs. 6/- to Rs. 7/- is totally unacceptable and baseless.  He said that the normal practice of allowing the bus operators is if the cost of operation has increased over 6%, which includes the cost of fuel, cost of tyres, spares and other accessories and other operational cost.

The Acting Minister said that the cost of expenses has increased only in the range of 1% per cent and hence the bus operators will not be permitted to add a burden to the commuters by increasing the fares.

Referring to the reconstruction work being carried out in Phase I the coastal railway track between Matara and Galle by the Indian Company, Icon, the Acting Minister said that the work is progressing as scheduled and the railway track between Galle and Matara will become operation by 1st of December.(News.lk)

Sri Lanka President holds bilateral talk with his Iranian counterpart

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa  this morning held fruitful talks with his Iranian counterpart President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in New York at 4.00 am Sri Lanka time. Presidential sources said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the side line of the UN summit met Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at his suite in New York and held bilateral talks this morning.

President had also held  bilateral talks with Emir of Qatar and called on Chancellor of Germany soon after he arrived in New York. President is scheduled to address the UNGA summit on its inaugural day on September 23.

Sri Lanka and Iran maintain cordial bilateral relations and Iran at present supplies crude oil to Sri Lanka to meet 80 % of its needs on an interest free credit basis for a period of four months. Presidential sources said that talks between the two leaders were held in a very cordial and friendly atmosphere and Sri Lankan President expressed his gratitude to Iranian President and the people of Islamic Republic of Iran for their continuous support to Sri Lanka and its people.

Iranian President during his recent visit to Sri Lanka entered into several Memoranda of Understandings to provide financial assistance to several development projects in Sri Lanka including the Uma Oya project. The facilities at Sapugaskanda Oil refinery is to be augmented with Iranian technical and financial assistance.(News.lk)

Sanuja Kalhan Edirisinghe of Dharmapala Vidayalaya-Pannipitiya has topped the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination with 196 marks.

Sanuja Kalhan Edirisinghe of Dharmapala Vidayalaya-Pannipitiya has topped the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination with 196 marks. The names of the students who gained highest four marks at the Examination, were released by the Department of Examinations today.

The other top three students are Navin Yasanka Premarathna of Horagahamulla Primary School-Minuwangoda, J.G. Kalani Pabasara of Meehagatanna Prathamika Vidyalaya-Kalutara and Rathnayake Liyanage Lakith Navodya of Mahinda Vidyalaya-Galle all got 194 out of 200. Picture shows Sanuja Edirisinghe of Dharmapala Vidayalaya being wished by his school teacher, while his mother looks on. (Daily Mirror)

Wickremesinghe Apologises At Cambridge Terrace

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe held a meeting at Cambridge Terrace today. Wickremesinghe met with representatives of the National Youth Front, which is an initiative by the UNP. During the meeting, Wickremesinghe apologised to the general public for those UNP MPs who had voted in favour of the controversial 18th amendment to the constitution.
Wickremesinghe earlier engaged in negotiations with President Rajapaksa on the 18th amendment. Photos show Wickremesinghe addressing the National Youth Front at the meeting.

A helping hand

LP Ariyawathie is back at her at her village and recovering thanks to the care of family and well wishers after a successful surgery which removed nails from various parts of her body.

G.L briefs monks

External Affairs Minister G. L Peiris briefed the chief incumbents of the Malwatta and Asgiriya chapters in Kandy today on the proposed 18th amendment to the constitution which will be debated in Parliament this week.


The Minister told the monks that the opposition was giving the wrong impression about the constitutional amendments especially on the extension of the President’s term.

Meanwhile the opposition UNP also briefed the chief incumbents of the Malwatta and Asgiriya chapters today on why they are opposing the 18th amendment to the constitution. (Daily Mirror online)