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SIZE=-1 FACE=arial COLOR="#FF0000">Sri Lankan News, update throughout the day....</font></b></TD></TR> </TABLE> <!---cut box from here----> </td> </CENTER> <!---cut box end end here----> <!----Main table---> <center><TABLE BORDER=0 cellpadding="3" cellspacing="2" width="760"><TR> <!---right hand column ----> <TD bgcolor="#eeeeee" width="190" align="left" Valign="top"> <table border=0 cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width="100%"><tr bgcolor="#CCCCFF"><td width="100%"><center><font face=arial><b> </b></font></td></tr></table></A> <center><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="1.5" COLOR=3333FF"> Time in Sri Lanka <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tr><td><embed src="http://www.worldtimeserver.com/clocks/wtsclock001.swf?color=FF9900&wtsid=LK" width="150" height="150" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></td></tr> <tr><td><h.9 align=<CENTER></h.9></td></tr> </table> <HR SIZE=n WITH=w ALIGN=center > <!---google Adsense link start----> <script 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bgcolor="#CCCCFF"><td width="100%"><font face=arial><b>Discussion Board</b></font></td></tr></table> <a href="/Guest/guest.html" target="_blank"> Give Your Ideas About Sri Lankas Situation</a> <br> <br> <table border=0 cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width="100%"><tr bgcolor="#CCCCFF"><td width="100%"><font face=arial><b>More News Links</b></font></td></tr></table> <a href="http://www.priu.gov.lk/News%20Update/newsupdate.html" target="_blank"> Current Affairs</a><br> <a href="http://www.travel.state.gov" target="_blank"> Green Card</a> <br> <a href="http://www.slarmy.org/" target="_blank"> Sri Lanka Army</a><br> <a href="http://www.freemedia.at/index1.html" target="_blank"> Free Meadia</a><br> <a href="http://www.amnesty.org/" target="_blank"> Amnesty Inter.<br> <a href="http://in.biz.yahoo.com/020208/7/1fwqs.html" target="_blank"> Stock Prices</a><br> <a href="http://search.news.yahoo.com/search/news?p=sri+lanka&c=news_photos" target="_blank"> News photos</a><br> <a href="newsarchive.htm" target="_blank"> ARCHIVES</a><br> <a href="pointof.html" target="_blank"> Point of view</a> <br> <a href="lanka_links.htm" target="_blank"> Weather </a><br> <a href="lanka_links.htm" target="_blank"> Exchange Rates</a><br> <font size="-1" color="#3333FF"> <a href="albumlos.html" target="_blank" > <font size="-1" color="#3333FF">Los Angeles Protest</font></a><br> <br> </TD> <!---right hand column end here----> <!---right hand margin----> <!----<td height width="5" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">&nbsp;</td> ----> <!---righthand margin end here----> <!---------------------Midle part--------------------------> <TD bgcolor="#FFFFFF" width="440" Valign="top"> <!--- Head Line---> <!--- Head Line--> <!--- Pictures in both side starts here--- width="150" height="150" > <!--- News update starts here---> <HR SIZE=n WITH=w ALIGN=center > <img src="/amopics/slbanner4.gif" width="425" height="25""></a></center> <HR SIZE=n WITH=w ALIGN=center > <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> UN role for Sri Lanka ex-army General Shavendra Silva</font><BR> One of Sri Lanka's most controversial diplomats, an ex-army commander, has got a senior post advising the UN secretary general, the government says. <BR><BR>ajor General Shavendra Silva, Sri Lanka's deputy ambassador to the UN, is the subject of a lawsuit in the US accusing him of war crimes.<B>(Times of India)</B> <br><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16763509" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Sri Lanka chief defends Marsh sacking</font><BR> Sri Lanka's cricket chief on Friday defended the sacking of Australian coach Geoff Marsh and the selection of a new team captain, saying the changes would help usher in a new era of "cricketing excellence". <BR><BR>"We will reap the benefits of these changes in the fullness of time," Sri Lanka Cricket president Upali Dharmadasa said in statement.<B>(Times of India)</B> <br><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Sri-Lanka-chief-defends-Marsh-sacking/articleshow/11653107.cms" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Oman may help Sri Lanka if Iran oil sanctions bite</font><BR> Oman may sell oil to Sri Lanka in the event of a crisis, which the island nation is racing to avert with U.S. sanctions on Iranian crude threatening its primary refining supply, Sri Lankan officials told Reuters on Friday. <BR><BR>Omani Oil Minister Mohammad bin Hamad al-Rumhy on Friday was holding a second and final day of talks with Sri Lankan Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha, who is hunting for a new oil supply amid limited options.<B>(REUTERS)</B> <br><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/27/us-srilanka-oman-iran-idUSTRE80Q0Z620120127" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Stocks extend rally on banks, hotels</font><BR> Sri Lanka's share market extended its rally with a more than 2 percent gain on Friday as investors snapped up risky assets after market heavyweight and bellwether John Keells Holdings CM> posted strong earnings. <BR><BR>The main share index rose 2.38 percent or 133.04 points to 5,725.44, highest since Jan. 23. It has risen 3.04 percent in last two sessions.<B>(REUTERS)</B> <br><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/27/markets-srilanka-idUSL4E8CR3PL20120127" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Sri Lanka not complacent about India in tri-series</font><BR> The new Sri Lankan cricket captain, Mahela Jayawardene, has said that his team will not be complacent about India because of its current run in tests in Australia. <BR><BR>Speaking just ahead of the team s departure to Australia, where Sri Lanka will join India and Australia for a triangular one day series, he recalled that in the last India  Sri Lanka encounter in the finals of the last ODI World Cup, Sri Lanka had lost.<B>(The Hindu)</B> <br><a href="http://www.thehindu.com/sport/article2836886.ece" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Sri Lanka's police horses stand the test of time</font><BR> A tall chestnut gelding called Alex, gazes majestically at the traffic as it flows past the busy capital roads in Sri Lanka, a member of the Police Mounted Division it is a symbol of a colonial tradition that has survived the test of time. <BR><BR>Alex is one of 29 thoroughbred horses that are currently part of Sri Lanka's Mounted Police Division and is a common sight during heavy traffic hours in the central part of Colombo as he works to keep the vehicles moving during the afternoon rush.<B>(XinhuaNet)</B> <br><a href="http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/indepth/2012-01/27/c_131378616.htm" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Sri Lanka to seek China's support for UN World Youth Conference</font><BR> Sri Lanka is seeking the support of China and the Group of 77 to adopt UN General Assembly resolution to host United Nations World Youth Conference in 2014, a government spokesman said on Thursday. <BR><BR>Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the cabinet has given approval to obtain official UN endorsement to use other diplomatic missions abroad to implement the global process for the conference.<B>(XinhuaNet)</B> <br><a href="http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/indepth/2012-01/26/c_131377915.htm" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> HSBC to tap Sri Lanka corporate demand for Global debt sales</font><BR> HSBC Holdings Plc, Europe s biggest bank, plans to expand sales of debt issued by Sri Lankan companies to investors abroad as the island s resurgent economy boosts demand for financing. <BR><BR>The lender is targeting the country s financial firms and the tourism industry with overseas dollar bonds and syndications, according to Nick Nicolaou, who heads HSBC s Sri Lanka operations.<B>(Bloomberg)</B> <br><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-01-27/hsbc-to-tap-sri-lanka-corporate-demand-for-global-debt-sales.html" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Sri Lanka, Indonesia target US$ 1 billion trade by 2015</font><BR> During the Joint Commission meeting of Sri Lanka and Indonesia held Thursday the two countries have resolved to increase the bilateral trade to reach a target of US$ 1 billion within the next three years. <BR><BR>The two countries have taken a decision to establish a Working Group on trade and investment to operationalize this goal, Sri Lanka's External Affairs Ministry said.<B>(Colombo Page)</B> <br><a href="http://www.colombopage.com/archive_12/Jan27_1327648464CH.php" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Sri Lanka pays homage</font><BR> There is something about elephants that takes your breath away. Particularly a sacred elephant in crimson satin robes, his trunk and ears outlined in lights, golden caps on his magnificent tusks. <BR><BR>As Raja makes his way majestically along the torch-lit streets of Kandy, with a golden casket on his back, flanked by two equally elaborately dressed elephants and preceded by energetic dancers and musicians, the crowd gets silently to its feet.<B>(AU.The west)</B> <br><a href="http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/travel/a/-/travel/12731833/sri-lanka-pays-homage/" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Sri Lanka production for tea bags up in 2011</font><BR> Sri Lanka's production of CTC (crush, tear, curl) type teas, used mainly in tea bags, rose sharply in 2011, although overall output was slightly lower than the record crop in 2010, brokers said. <BR><BR>The Sri Lanka Tea Board said annual production for 2011 was 328.3 million kilos, about one percent less the previous year s record output of 331.4 million kilos, mainly because of bad weather. <B>(Lanka Business Online)</B> <br><a href="http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?nid=1597838559" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Program to bring expatriate Sri Lankan doctors back to country</font><BR> The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) plans to launch a program to draw the medical doctors who have left country for overseas opportunities. <BR><BR>The newly elected president of the Association Prof. Vajira Dissanayake has said.<B>(Colombo Page)</B> <br><a href="http://www.colombopage.com/archive_12/Jan27_1327642931CH.php" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Tamil MP doubts LLRC implementation</font><BR> Sri Lanka government has no intention to implement the recommendations of the presidential war panel, says a young Tamil government MP. <BR><BR>Journalist turned politician Sri Ranga told BBC Sandeshaya that the government should implement panel's all recommendations including a special investigation into alleged war crimes by certain elements of the military.<B>(BBC Sinhala)</B> <br><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sinhala/news/story/2012/01/120127_ranga_llrc.shtml" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Alcohol consumption soars; Colombo leads</font><BR> A report titled, A Handbook of Drug Abuse Information  2011, issued by the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board, which is under the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development of which the President is the Minister and his brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Secretary, reveals in a tabulated chart that arrack consumption has increased from 67.1 million litres in 2006 to 75.2 million litres in 2010. <BR><BR>The Colombo District has topped the list with 11.3 million litres of arrack, 113,000 litres of whisky, 576,560 litres of brandy, and 10.1 million litres of malt liquor, 22,896 litres of bottled toddy.<B>(The Island)</B> <br><a href="http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=44006" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Captaincy only for short time: Jayawardene</font><BR> Mahela Jayawardene on Thursday said he has taken up the Sri Lanka captaincy for a short term and rejected rumours that there was an internal bickering in the side. <BR><BR>"I took up the captaincy once again, for one-year. Our target is to win matches, to regain our place as one of the top-four Test playing nations," Jayawardene told reporters in Colombo.<B>(Times of India)</B> <br><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/interviews/Sri-Lankan-captaincy-only-for-short-time-Jayawardene/articleshow/11642085.cms" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Sri Lanka bourse up on big foreign buy in Keells</font><BR> Sri Lanka's share market gained on Thursday in improved volume led by a big foreign buy of market heavyweight John Keells Holdings, helping it record a net offshore inflow for the first time since mid-2009. <BR><BR>The main share index rose 0.65 percent or 36.11 points to 5,592.40, recovering from its lowest level since Aug. 18, 2010, which it touched on Tuesday.<B>(REUTERS)</B> <br><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/26/markets-srilanka-idUSL4E8CQ4I120120126" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> India  Sri Lanka bilateral trade surges</font><BR> In 2011, bilateral trade surged by over 70 percent compared to the previous year, and is estimated to have touched an all-time high of US $ 5 billion, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Ashok K. Kantha has said. <BR><BR>Speaking at a function organised to mark the Republic Day at the India House here, he said that Indian companies invested over US $ 100 million in Sri Lanka.<B>(The Hindu)</B> <br><a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article2834500.ece" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Captain Jayawardene rejects sports minister's claim recent slump down to infighting</font><BR> New Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene rejected the sports minister's allegation that politics and infighting within the playing squad has caused the team's recent slump. <BR><BR>Jayawardene said that the team has collectively made mistakes but disunity was not the reason for recent test series losses to England, Australia, Pakistan and South Africa.<B>(Winnipeg Free Press)</B> <br><a href="http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/other/sri-lanka-captain-jayawardene-rejects-sports-ministers-claim-recent-slump-down-to-infighting-138118788.html" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Spence books gain on terminal stake sale to China</font><BR> Sri Lanka's Aitken Spence group said it booked a gain of 630 million rupees by selling a 30 percent stake in a container terminal project to China Merchant Holdings International. <BR><BR>Aitken Spence bid for the terminal project with China Merchants coming in as 55 percent partner, but it pulled out after financing from a Chinese bank fell through and equity partners decided to loan money for the project. <B>(Lanka Business Online)</B> <br><a href="http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?nid=2142378867" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Ranatunga slams Sri Lanka sacking of Marsh</font><BR> Legendary Sri Lankan cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga on Thursday slammed his country's sacking of Australian coach Geoff Marsh as "disgraceful" and "unprofessional". <BR><BR>Marsh was this week replaced by South African Graham Ford.<B>(Times of India)</B> <br><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/top-stories/Ranatunga-slams-Sri-Lanka-sacking-of-Marsh/articleshow/11640235.cms" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Sri Lanka needs a legal framework to devolve power under 13th Amendment plus - junior Minister</font><BR> Deputy Minister of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development of Sri Lanka Weerakumara Dissanayake says that a political solution that goes beyond the 13th Amendment needs to be thought out very carefully. <BR><BR>He has told the media that the government facing a great risk since the whole concept of 13th plus could spread like a germ.<B>(Colombo Page)</B> <br><a href="http://www.colombopage.com/archive_12/Jan26_1327554456JR.php" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> "Grow food to stabilize exchange rate" Treasury secretary</font><BR> Sri Lanka has to grow more food to reduce imports which will help strengthen the exchange rate, Treasury Secretary P B Jayasundera said, as the country lost almost a quarter of its foreign reserves defending a dollar peg. <BR><BR>"There is no economic justification to import any longer the kind of food that we can produce," Treasury Secretary P B Jayasundera told reporters.<B>(Lanka Business Online)</B> <br><a href="http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?nid=1869917007" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Sri Lanka: Spice island</font><BR> The market was jam-packed. A tuk-tuk overloaded with huge bunches of green bananas almost ran over my foot, knocking me off balance. <BR><BR>Bicycles and the tiny motorised carts vied with jostling shoppers and merchants for space in the frenetic and frantic Pettah bazaar in the heart of Colombo, Sri Lanka's capital and centre of commerce.<B>(NZ Herald)</B> <br><a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/news/article.cfm?c_id=7&objectid=10780364" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> India, Sri Lanka take steps to end fishermen's travails</font><BR> India and Sri Lanka have intensified efforts to resolve the issue of fishermen from both countries plying their trade in a  limited pool of water, according to officials briefing journalists on External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna's recent visit to the island nation. <BR><BR>After a meeting of the Joint Working Group on Fisheries, when all problems were discussed, the two sides are looking at an interaction between fishermen, wherein some solutions are likely to be aired.<B>(The Hindu)</B> <br><a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2832484.ece" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> 43 fishermen detained in Sri Lanka</font><BR> For the second time in just over two weeks, a second group of 43 Indians has been caught fishing in Sri Lankan waters, off the east coast. <BR><BR>The Sri Lankan Navy, which apprehended them and seized six boats near Pulmodai on Tuesday night, have handed over the fishermen to the local police at Trincomalee. <B>(The Hindu)</B> <br><a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2832208.ece" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> School van driver with one hand nabbed</font><BR> The Cinnamon Gardens Police nabbed an amputee driving a school van with one hand yesterday morning. Sixty two  year-old Bernard Wijesiri was produced before the Hulftsdorp Magistrate s Court and enlarged on bail. His licence was retained by the police. <B>(The Island)</B> <br><a href="http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=43947" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Sri Lanka axe coach after just three months</font><BR> Sri Lanka fired Geoff Marsh as the national team's cricket coach today only three months into his two-year contract, replacing him with former South Africa coach Graham Ford. <BR><BR>Sri Lanka recently lost a test and one-day series in South Africa, and the coaching change appears to be part of a general overhaul with Tillakaratne Dilshan standing down as captain following a winless test series run.<B>(NZ Herald)</B> <br><a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/cricket/news/article.cfm?c_id=29&objectid=10781257" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> LTTE suspect of bomb blast in Sri Lanka arrested after six years</font><BR> An LTTE suspect alleged to have been involved in a bomb blast in Wilpattu National Forest has been arrested by the Sri Lanka police. <BR><BR>Police said the suspect has been identified as a resident of Mannar and he was involved in LTTE activities during the war.<B>(Colombo Page)</B> <br><a href="http://www.colombopage.com/archive_12/Jan25_1327506034CH.php" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Sri Lanka Tourism Report</font><BR> Sri Lanka welcomed 654,477 tourists, an increase of 46% year-on-year and very much in line with BMI's forecast of a 50% increase for the year. <BR><BR>July was the high watermark for monthly arrivals.<B>(Sun Herald)</B> <br><a href="http://www.sunherald.com/2012/01/25/3708634/research-and-markets-sri-lanka.html" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Sri Lanka's Post Master General finally resigns</font><BR> Following months of protests and worker strikes by trade unions of Postal Department against him, Sri Lanka's Post Master General D.M.K. Dissanayaka has resigned from the post. <BR><BR>Dissanayaka told media that he had asked for a transfer to another position away from the Postal Department.<B>(Colombo Page)</B> <br><a href="http://www.colombopage.com/archive_12/Jan25_1327502999KA.php" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Journalists demand probes of attacks</font><BR> Sri Lankan journalists staged a  Black January protest Wednesday to demand the government punish the culprits responsible for killing and attacking journalists and media institutions. <BR><BR>Journalists, rights activists and opposition lawmakers gathered in the capital, Colombo, claimed this month over the years has been  disastrous for attacks on journalists.<B>(Khaleej Times)</B> <br><a href="http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/international/2012/January/international_January938.xml&section=international&col=" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Sri Lanka exports rebound; Trade gap widens as imports surge</font><BR> Sri Lanka s exports expanded in November, rebounding from the worst decline since 2009 on demand for garments, tea and machinery. <BR><BR>Overseas sales increased 11.6 percent to $879.3 million from a year earlier, after falling 4.9 percent in October, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka said in a statement today. Imports surged 78 percent to $1.98 billion, it said.<B>(Bloomberg)</B> <br><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/25/srilanka-economy-trade-idUSL4E8CP5UU20120125" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Sri Lanka Nov trade deficit more than doubles on year</font><BR> Sri Lanka's trade deficit rose 238.8 percent to $1.1 billion in November from the same month last year, pushing 2011's record trade gap deeper into record territory, the central bank said on Tuesday. <BR><BR>The trade gap in the first 11 months of 2011 widened 111.3 percent to a record $8.84 billion.<B>(REUTERS)</B> <br><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/25/srilanka-economy-trade-idUSL4E8CP5UU20120125" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Sri Lankan cricket on the move in 2012</font><BR> The Sri Lankan national cricket team and its management have undergone some major overhauls since their recently concluded tour of South Africa. <BR><BR>Former Australian middle order batsman Geoff Marsh will step down as coach and hand his position on to South African Graham Ford, although the Sri Lanka Cricket is yet to confirm this change.<B>(Sport Pulse)</B> <br><a href="http://www.sportpulse.net/content/sri-lankan-cricket-move-2012-2669" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Sri Lanka hosts international tea meeting</font><BR> Sri Lanka will host a key meeting of officials from major tea producing and consuming nations in a United Nations body next week, helping boost its image as it starts a global marketing campaign. <BR><BR>The 20th Session of Food and Agriculture Organisation s Inter-Governmental Group on Tea will meet in Colombo from January 30 to February 01, a statement from the Sri Lanka Tea Board said.<B>(Lanka Business Online)</B> <br><a href="http://www.lankabusinessonline.com/fullstory.php?nid=1986942005" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Sri Lanka opposition party claims appointment of cricket captain is politically motivated</font><BR> The main opposition United National Party (UNP) claims the appointment of the Sri Lanka Cricket captain is politically motivated. <BR><BR>UNP Western Provincial Councilor, Niroshan Padukka told the media that a cricketer who is close to retirement has never been appointed as the captain of a cricket team.<B>(Colombo Page)</B> <br><a href="http://www.colombopage.com/archive_12/Jan25_1327460767JR.php" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Women's vigil for disappeared</font><BR> Mothers and wives against abduction and disappearances held a vigil in front of the Fort railway station. <BR><BR>The vigil marked the second anniversary of the disappearance of Journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda.<B>(BBC Sinhala)</B> <br><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sinhala/news/story/2012/01/120124_prageeth_anniversary.shtml" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Solving ethnic issue: UNP willing to cooperate with government but ...</font><BR> The UNP said yesterday that it was willing to co-operate with the government to find a political solution to the ethnic issue, but the the latter should stop its dilatory tactics such as the proposed Parliamentary Select Committee on the national question. <BR><BR>General Secretary of the UNP, Tissa Attanayake told a news conference in Colombo, that numerous Committees had discussed the ethnic issue and the Rajapaksa regime had even discarded the recommendations of the All Party Representative Committee.<B>(The Island)</B> <br><a href="http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=43881" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Fishermen return to freedom with tales of Lankan hospitality</font><BR> There was a pleasant twist to the tale of the nine fishermen who returned to Rameswaram from Talaimannar in Sri Lanka on Tuesday morning. <BR><BR>In sharp contrast to the harrowing experience of fishers who have been in the custody of Sri Lankan naval personnel in the past, this lot was treated well by their captors.<B>(Times of India)</B> <br><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/Fishermen-return-to-freedom-with-tales-of-Lankan-hospitality/articleshow/11621065.cms" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Hidden hand behind bloody prison riot?</font><BR> Thirty one including five jail guards and 26 inmates were injured yesterday at the Welikada New Magazine prison in a bloody clash. <BR><BR>The injured had been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital, prison sources said.<B>(The Island)</B> <br><a href="http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=43878" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Sri Lanka bourse plunges 3.7 pct on panic selling</font><BR> Sri Lanka's share market plunged 3.7 percent on Tuesday, shedding 47.4 billion rupees ($416 million) in value as margin calls triggered panic selling and further cemented the bourse's position as Asia's worst performer this year. <BR><BR>The main share index fell 3.75 in early trade, but recovered slightly to end 127.00 percent or 2.24 points weaker at 5,536.09, lowest since Aug. 18, 2010. It was the bourse's sixth straight fall.<B>(REUTERS)</B> <br><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/24/markets-srilanka-idUSL4E8CO5U320120124" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Union blames Chinese firm for power plant failure</font><BR> A 300-megawatt Chinese-built power plant in Sri Lanka failed for a fourth time since its commissioning in March, in what a trade union on Tuesday said was either sabotage or continuing negligence by the operator. <BR><BR>The failure at the Norocholai coal power plant will force a two-week shutdown that will cost the state-run electricity board at least 168 million rupees ($1.47 million) to meet the lost supply.<B>(REUTERS)</B> <br><a href="http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL4E8CO2UJ20120124" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Sri Lanka to set up third Consulate Office in China</font><BR> China has given Sri Lanka the permission to establish a third consulate office in Guangzhou, the External Affairs Ministry said here in a statement on Tuesday. <BR><BR>The Consulate General in Guangzhou will facilitate the expansion of bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and China in areas of economy, trade and tourism while further strengthening people to people contacts between the two countries.<B>(CRI)</B> <br><a href="http://english.cri.cn/6909/2012/01/24/2821s677697.htm" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="5" color="#3333FF"> Sri Lanka pressed on Tamil devolution plan</font><BR> A pledge by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa that sweeping powers will be granted to Tamil communities in the North and East provinces has raised hopes that Colombo is finally getting serious in addressing the country's long-running ethnic divisions. <BR><BR>Rajapaksa told visiting Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna of his plan on January 17, with the declaration coming just four months before third anniversary of the defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).<B>(BBC)</B> <br><a href="http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/NA25Df03.html" > <img src="/amopics/fullstory.jpg" border="0"></font></a><br> <BR><a href="http://www.go2lanka.com/post_card/junaid's%20sari%20Palace.htm"><img src="/amopics/junaidas_saripalce.gif"VSPACE=0 border="0"></a></center><br> <HR SIZE=n WITH=w ALIGN=center > <font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="3"> <center><b>For earlier News items, Please click <a href="newsarchive_1_j.html" target="_blank"> HERE</a>.</b> </font> </TD> <!---------------------Midle part end here--------------------------> <!---Left hand margin----> <!---<td height width=" 5" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">&nbsp;</td> ---> <!---Left hand margin end here----> <!---Left hand column----> <TD bgcolor="#eeeeee" width="150" align="left" 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