Lanka Sites

Sunday, Sep 05th

Last update:07:21:38 PM GMT

Headlines:

Mihin flies to Indonesia from November

Two Star Class Hotels in Kalpitiya

Nilaveli Beach Trincomalee

Ussangoda - 21st National Park in Sri Lanka

World Heritage of Galle Fort Sri Lanka

RSS

Direct air links between Kunming and Colombo soon

Friday, 03 September 2010 09:21

Yunnan Province Governor Qin Guangrong and delegation presenting a picture to Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka.

Public Management Reforms Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka welcomed the initiative taken by the Yunnan Province Governor in China, Qin Guangron to launch a direct air link between the capital of Yunnan Province, Kunming and Colombo as it would further boost relations between Sri Lanka and China. The Governor is visiting Sri Lanka with a delegation of over 200 persons from Yunnan Province on the inaugural flight by China Eastern Airlines to Colombo. He called on Minister Wickramanayaka who hosted a lunch in honour of the official delegation led by the Governor. Wickramanyaka recalled his two visits to Yunnan Province in 2008 and 2009, when he was able to have very productive discussions with the Governor on further promoting relations between Sri Lanka and Yunnan Province, which has close links with countries in South East Asia and South Asia.

New monkey species discovered in the Colombian Amazon

Tuesday, 31 August 2010 09:18

A Colombian monkey species that had long been rumoured but which scientists couldn't reach because of insurgent violence in the remote area where it lives has finally been found - teetering on the brink of extinction. The new species of cat-sized titi monkey was discovered in the Colombian Amazon by researchers from the National University of Colombia, who dubbed it Callicebus caquetensis. However, it's not known how long the species will last. The scientists estimate that only 250 of the monkeys are still alive, as their forest home is being cut down to make way for farms.The monkeys live close to the border with Ecuador and Peru.

Foreign Universities will link World

Thursday, 26 August 2010 09:02

Interacting with foreign universities and their academics will move Sri Lankan universities into a international status, said Higher Education Ministry Secretary Dr Jayantha Navarathne. Sri Lankan universities are conducting less research compared to foreign universities. Private and the State sector should link with international universities to conduct research which can solve domestic problems. The Third International Symposium of the Sabaragamuwa University which will start today, is a platform to reach that target, he said addressing media at the University Grants Commission yesterday. "Sri Lanka is moving towards a knowledge economy consisting with education, R&D and ICT. There was an outdated education system which is being changed. Our universities are still focusing on learning.

Central Bank of Sri Lanka Celebrates its Diamond Jubilee

Wednesday, 25 August 2010 09:48

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) which commenced operations on 28 August 1950, will be celebrating its 60th year of establishment in 2010. The Diamond Jubilee year marks a momentous milestone in the history of the Central Bank in terms of achieving its focused objectives while contributing to the prosperity of the country. In recognition of these achievements, a series of events has been organized.

Consulates of India in Jaffna and Hambanthota?

Friday, 20 August 2010 09:13

During the state visit of his Excellency the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to India, the two leaders had agreed on establishing the Consulates General of India in Jaffna and in Hambanthota to reinforce consular cooperation and friendly links between the two countries. The Prime Minister of India had also welcomed Sri Lanka’s interest in establishing a further Post in India, in addition to those in Chennai and in Mumbai functioning under the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi. In order to implement and formalize this understanding, an Exchange of Notes took place this morning at the Sri Lankan Ministry of External Affairs between Foreign Secretary C.R. Jayasinghe and High Commissioner Ashok K. Kantha.

Sri Lanka Ranked 66th in World's Best Countries

Thursday, 19 August 2010 09:03

August 19, 2010: According to a study carried out by Newsweek magazine Sri Lanka has been ranked 66th in the world's best countries. si_flagThe study was conducted by the internationally acclaimed magazine on 100 of the world's best countries. The study focused on five main aspects which included health, quality of life and the political environment.

Eucalyptus Plantations under Threat

Wednesday, 18 August 2010 09:07

Peradeniya University Zoology Department a team of scientists have identified a tiny gall forming invasive wasp Leptocybe invasa in Eucalyptus plantations in the Naula area in the Matale district. The galls formed by this wasp were found on fresh coppiced shoots, they said. "Seedlings in nurseries, saplings and coppiced shoots in plantations are known to be susceptible to the gall wasp. The gall formation by the wasp damages growing shoot tips and leaves of Eucalyptus, resulting in quicker abscission of leaves and drying up of shoots," the scientists said.

UK Visitor Figures to Sri Lanka up by 51%

Tuesday, 17 August 2010 09:09

2011 looks set to live up to its name as "Visit Sri Lanka Year" from early on, as tourism to the country continues to grow in the second half of 2010. A change in FCO advice, lifting all travel restrictions and UNESCO's decision to add an eighth Sri Lankan property to its list of World Heritage Sites means that more people are making Sri Lanka their holiday destination of choice. Latest figures from the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau show that visitors from the UK are up 51% in July 2010 compared with July 2009, with more UK citizens choosing the country as their summer holiday destination.

Central Province leads in computer education

Thursday, 05 August 2010 12:58

The Central Province is taking the forefront in Government efforts to formulate a National Education Policy, CentralProvince Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake said when he addressed a meeting after opening a new building and a Budu Medura costing Rs 1.2 million at the Nugawela (Boys) Maha Vidyalaya, Harispattuwa recently. He said a major feature of the new education policy envisaged by the Government was to provide a sound computer education to every child.

UK lifts travel advisory against Sri Lanka

Saturday, 31 July 2010 07:07

The UK Government yesterday decided to fully remove the advice against travel to Sri Lanka just six months after it removed the travel advisory on the Eastern Province and the Jaffna Peninsula. The British High Commission in Sri Lanka yesterday updated the travel advisory removing the advice against travel to four districts in the Northern Province.

Sri Lanka tops world in Breast Feeding

Friday, 30 July 2010 09:28

Around 98 percent of child births take place in hospitals in Sri Lanka and 79 percent of the infants receive breast milk within the first hour of birth. Around 75 percent of infants receive only breast milk during their first six months, Dr. Deepika Attygalle said. She was addressing a media seminar at the Health Education Bureau on National Breastfeeding Week. Dr. Attygalle said that Sri Lanka is well ahead of other countries when it comes to breast feeding and health indicators.

SPAR 1% S.G and SOLFAC EW 050 to eradicate Dengue

Thursday, 29 July 2010 09:22

Hayleys Agro Products Limited has introduced two insecticides which are aimed at wiping out Dengue Mosquito’s breeding cycle. The Dengue menace has become a huge community problem and needs quick preventive steps. The environment should be kept clean in order to control the breeding of mosquitos, who are the carriers of the deadly dengue virus.

Banks with high hopes on low rates

Thursday, 22 July 2010 09:45

The primary market Treasury bill auction, conducted by the Public Debt Department of the Central Bank, last morning saw yields drop further from last week. The three month bill attracted bids amounting to Rs. 2.8 billion of which Rs. 1 billion was accepted while the interest rate fell to 7.92 percent from 7.98 percent a week ago.

Loris believed extinct for 60 yrs sighted

Tuesday, 20 July 2010 09:34

Once believed to be extinct for 60 years, a loris [Sin:Unahapuluwa] sub species from the upper montane rainforest, was rediscovered by a team of local researchers working with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). The Horton Plains slender loris, found only in Sri Lanka, was sighted and photographed by a group of researchers. Wildlife Heritage Trust of Sri Lanka Researcher Kelum Manamendra Arachchi told The Island yesterday that a specimen of the species had been spotted fleetingly in2002 when a light shone in its eyes and was reflected.

Surge in Middle East Travellers to Sri Lanka

Monday, 19 July 2010 08:49

The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau’s (SLTPB) Middle East office reported a massive surge in the number of Middle East travellers to Sri Lanka, the National Development Media Centre said. The total number of travelers from the Middle East region upto end of June this year reflected an increase by 102 percent over the same period last year.

Sri Lanka removed from cargo war insurance risk list

Thursday, 15 July 2010 10:25

International insurers have removed Sri Lanka from their cargo war insurance list paving the way for reduced import costs, removal of surcharges and increasing business confidence, a government statement said. The Foreign Affairs Ministry said Sri Lanka has been removed from all marine war, and marine strikes risk of the Joint Cargo Committee Joint Cargo Watch List by Lloyd’s Market Association with effect from July 5, 2010. "In addition, the Ground Risk of 2.6 (High Level) previously applicable for the entire ground in Sri Lanka is now confined only to the Vavuniya Jaffna Section of the A-9 Highway(in the island's north)," it said.

Indian Ocean sea level rise threatens millions study

Wednesday, 14 July 2010 09:09

Sea levels are rising unevenly in the Indian Ocean, placing millions at risk along low lying coastlines in Bangladesh, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, scientists say in a study. Researchers from the University of Colorado and the National Center for Atmospheric Research say the rising sea levels are caused in part by climate change and are triggered by warming seas and changes to atmospheric circulation patterns.