President's second term inauguration:

President's second term inauguration:
Over 1 m saplings to be planted
As part of the events to mark the inauguration of the second term of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his birthday, 1.1 million saplings will be planted on November 15.

President calls for report from IGP

President calls for report from IGP

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has asked the Inspector General of Police for a detailed report regarding the alleged police attack on several journalists who were performing their duties, Mass Media and Communication Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Industries to be revived in North and East

Industries to be revived in North and East
The Government will streamline industries in the North and the East which were hampered by three decades of LTTE terrorism, Mass Media and Communication Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said. 

Cultivate positive attitudes, -President Rajapaksa says

Cultivate positive attitudes, 

President tells officials President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday stressed that Sri Lanka could face upto any challenge and realize its cherished goals, that of transforming the country into the ‘Wonder of Asia’ by inspiring and promoting positive attitudes and wholesome conduct of the people.

Mahinda - Singh hold Indo - Sri Lanka bilateral talks

Mahinda - Singh hold Indo - Sri Lanka bilateral talks

Friday, 15 October 2010

President Mahinda Rajapaksa met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (15) and discussed several matters of bilateral importance.President is in new Delhi where he attended the closing session of the 19th CWG. Sources said that both the leaders discussed on the progress of the joint programme to build 50,000 houses in the North and East to give shelter to those forced to become Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) due to the the conflict situation created by terrorism. They also agreed to further strengthen cooperation in security and to continue implementing the agreements reached at the bilateral meeting between the two leaders last June. Prime Minister Singh appreciated the efforts taken by the Sri Lankan government in accelerating the development process with the restoration of peace. President Rajapaksa apprised the Prime Minister of the progress in resettling IDPs and the success achieved so far. Indian Ministers P. Chidambaram, S.M. Krishna, Secretary to External Affairs Nirupama Rao, Sri Lanka External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris, President's Coordinating Secretary on international affairs Sajin Vas Gunawardena, Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunge and Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs Romesh Jayasinghe participated for the discussion.

China assures continued assistance for Development efforts

China assures continued assistance for Development efforts

The Chinese Government through its funding arm the Exim Bank, concluded with Sri Lanka a Concessional Funding arrangement to construct the island’s second airport in Mattala at a cost of US $ 190 million while also pledging Concessional financing of US $ 100 million to augment the capacity of the Sri Lankan railway.  Two Consessional Loan agreements were signed during a three day visit by Dr P B Jayasundera, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance of Sri Lanka and a delegation from the External Resources Department and Attorney General’s Department to Beijing from 3^rd – 5^th March 2010.

Secretary Finance had very productive discussions with the Exim Bank officers in fast-tracking many infrastructure development projects being evaluated by the Bank for future funding, particularly in the Northern & Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka.  Emphasis was laid on speeding up the evaluation process for the construction of the A9 highway.  During his discussions with the Vice President of the  Exim Bank Zhu Hong Jie, Secretary Finance elaborated that with the resounding electoral victory of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Government’s development focus and the strategic plan set in place would progress unhindered.  He explained that a vital ingredient for the realization of this development plan was the need to fulfill the infrastructure requirement and appreciated China for assisting Sri Lanka at a very crucial stage of her socio-economic development shouldering a major portfolio of the finical requirements.  Vice President Zhu commented that China as a sincere friend of Sri Lanka is keen to assist Sri Lanka in her development process.

The Secretary was associated at these meetings by Ambassador Karunatilaka Amunugam, Mr J H J Jayamaha, DG ERD, Mr Arjuna Obeysekera, Senior State Counsel and the Senior Officers of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Beijing.

XIX Commonwealth Games (Delhi 2010): Final Medals Tally

XIX Commonwealth Games (Delhi 2010): Final Medals Tally

RANK	COUNTRY	G	S	B	T
1	Australia	74	55	48	177
2	India	38	27	36	101
3	England	37	59	46	142
4	Canada	26	17	32	75
5	South Africa	12	11	10	33
6	Kenya	12	11	9	32
7	Malaysia	12	10	13	35
8	Singapore	11	11	9	31
9	Nigeria	11	10	14	35
10	Scotland	9	10	7	26
11	New Zealand	6	22	8	36
12	Cyprus	4	3	5	12
13	N. Ireland	3	3	4	10
14	Samoa	3	0	1	4
15	Wales	2	7	10	19
16	Jamaica	2	4	1	7
17	Pakistan	2	1	2	5
18	Uganda	2	0	0	2
19	Bahamas	1	1	3	5
20	Sri Lanka	1	1	1	3
21	Nauru	1	1	0	2
22	Botswana	1	0	3	4
23	St. Vincent & The Grenadines	1	0	0	1
23	Cayman Islands	1	0	0	1
25	Trinidad and Tobago	0	4	2	6
26	Cameroon	0	2	4	6
27	Ghana	0	1	3	4
28	Namibia	0	1	2	3
29	Seychelles	0	1	0	1
29	Papua New Guinea	0	1	0	1
31	Isle of Man	0	0	2	2
31	Tonga	0	0	2	2
31	Mauritius	0	0	2	2
34	Saint Lucia	0	0	1	1
34	Guyana	0	0	1	1
34	Bangladesh	0	0	1	1
TOT		272	274	282	828

Sri Lanka Today: Commonwealth Games end in New Delhi

Sri Lanka Today: Commonwealth Games end in New Delhi

Commonwealth Games end in New Delhi

Commonwealth Games end in New Delhi The 19th Commonwealth Games have ended in New Delhi with Australia topping the medals table, winning 74 gold medals. India edged ahead of England to the second place on Thursday when Saina Nehwal won the 38th gold medal for the host nation in the women's singles badminton final. Speaking to Al Jazeera from the Indian capital, New Delhi, Pradeep Magazine, a sports journalist, said: "The major thing which has saved the game for India is that [Indian] athletes have won record number of medals and that has pleased Indians quite a lot." "The games have been fairly successful because Indians didn't expect much of it, people were fearing that there will be a lot of glitches, even a major mishap." In the run-up to the games, the organisers of the games had come in for severe criticism over delayed completion of the athletes' village and other facilities. Several prominent athletes had even pulled out of the event, citing health and security concerns. Final day On the final day of the competition, Kenya's John Ekiru Kelai won the gold in the men's marathon while Irene Kosgei became the first Kenyan to win the gold in women's marathon. "I feel on top of the world, this is for my country, the people, coaches and officials. When you can win at this level, you know you have reached your peak," a jubilant Kelia said. Australia beat India in the men's field hockey to add to their already impressive tally of gold medals. In badminton, world number one Lee Chong Wei defended his men's singles title with a 21-10, 21-8 win over England's Rajiv Ouseph in 30 minutes. In the netball final, New Zealand beat arch rivals, Australia 66- 64 in extra time while England took the bronze with a 70-47 win over Jamaica. Chrystalleni Trikomiti of Cyprus won gold medals in the rope and ribbon and a bronze in the hoop and ball at rhythmic gymnastics. Closing ceremony A glitzy ceremony was held amid tight security at Jawharlal Nehru Stadium to mark the end of the games. Mike Fennell, the Commonwealth Games Federation president, declared the games a success, saying that despite the late completion of the athletes village, lack of ticket sales and transport issues, the athletes enjoyed them. He also said that it was "teamwork" that eventually helped to resolve last minute problems. "People have seen an extremely positive image of the games right across the world. People have had to deal with issues, there's no denying that, but the end result has been good." Nation Gold Silver Bronze Total Australia 74 55 48 177 India 38 27 36 101 England 37 59 46 142 Canada 26 17 32 75 South Africa 12 11 10 33 Kenya 12 11 9 32 Malaysia 12 10 13 35 Singapore 11 11 9 31 Nigeria 11 10 14 35