G.C.E. Advanced Level results may be released on Monday(19), Minister of Higher Education S.B. Dissanayake said. “All problems with regard to the issuing z-scores for the Advanced Level results have been solved. Therefore, results may be issued by 19th Monday”, he stated.
However, when contacted Commissioner General of Examinations Anura Edirisinghe said the results will not be released on Monday(19).
“The committee appointed to determine how to issue z-score for the Advanced Level results of the old and new syllabuses have asked for more information from the Examination Department. We will hand over them to the committee on Monday. If they reach a final decision, the department will be able to release results within several days”, the Exam’s Chief disclosed.
(JNW)
December 16, 2011 at 10:10 am
Predicting Test cricket in recent weeks has been a fool’s game, but the opening day at Centurion went largely according to expectations as Sri Lanka struggled to handle the home side’s bowling attack on a helpful pitch. Vernon Philander continued his prolific emergence with his third five-wicket haul in three matches – making him just the fifth bowler to achieve the feat – as Sri Lanka crumbled to 180. Although Graeme Smith fell moments before the close it was emphatically South Africa’s day and they are on course for a handsome lead.
As they had against Australia, Philander and Dale Steyn combined to do much of the damage with nine wickets between them which ensured a poor day for Morne Morkel didn’t seriously cost the home side. After being inserted on a green pitch there were low expectations for Sri Lanka so three down at lunch represented a decent morning’s work and then during the afternoon 156 for 4 was the basis for a competitive total. However, Sri Lanka have dealt in some serious collapses this year and here they registered a demise of 6 for 24 in five overs with Philander and Steyn both claiming two wickets in two balls.
South Africa 90 for 1 (Rudolph 27, Steyn 0*) trail Sri Lanka 180 (Mathews 38, Philander 5-53, Steyn 4-18) by 90 runs
(ESPN)
December 15, 2011 at 10:10 pm
The U.S. military officially ended its war in Iraq on Thursday, rolling up its flag at a low-key ceremony with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta nearly nine bloody years after the invasion that ousted dictator Saddam Hussein.
“After a lot of blood spilled by Iraqis and Americans, the mission of an Iraq that could govern and secure itself has become real,” Panetta said at the ceremony outside Baghdad’s still heavily-fortified airport.
Almost 4,500 U.S. soldiers and tens of thousands of Iraqis lost their lives in the war that began with a “Shock and Awe” campaign of missiles pounding Baghdad, but descended into sectarian strife and a surge in U.S. troop numbers.
U.S. soldiers rolled up the flag of American forces in Iraq and slipped it into a camouflage-colored sleeve in a brief, symbolically ending the most unpopular U.S. military venture since the Vietnam War of the 1960s and 70s.
The remaining 4,000 American troops will withdraw by the end of the year, leaving behind a country still tackling a weakened but stubborn Islamist insurgency, sectarian tensions and political uncertainty.
“Iraq will be tested in the days ahead, by terrorism, by those who would seek to divide, by economic and social issues,” Panetta told the rows of assembled U.S. soldiers and embassy officials at the ceremony. “Challenges remain, but the United States will be there to stand by the Iraqi people.”
Saddam is dead, executed in 2006, while an uneasy politics is at work and the violence has ebbed. But Iraq still struggles with insurgents, a fragile power-sharing government and an oil-reliant economy plagued by power shortages and corruption.
U.S. President Barack Obama, who made an election promise to bring troops home, told Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki that Washington will remain a loyal partner after the last troops roll across the Kuwaiti border.
(Reuters)
December 15, 2011 at 8:45 pm
The Lotus Pond – Mahinda Rajapakse National Performing Arts Theatre constructed at the Nomands Ground in Colombo 07, was declared open by President Mahinda Rajapakse a short while ago.
Construction of the Theatre began in May 2008 and the total cost of the project was Rs. 3,080 million. Forty percent of the total cost of the project was provided by the Chinese government as a grant.
This five-storeyed building complex has a floor area of 14,000 square metres. The Lotus Pond in Polonnaruwa has given inspiration to the architecture of this theatre.
It is equipped with ultra modern facilities such as an auditorium with 1,288 seats, parking facilities for 500 vehicles, library and training facilities. There are also facilities to conduct educational and research activities.
(JNW)
December 15, 2011 at 6:20 pm
A 350 meter high, multifunctional TV and Telecommunication Tower to be constructed in Colombo, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said. It would be able to used by 50 telecasting services. 10 telecommunication services and 50 radio broadcasting services, he disclosed.
(JNW)
December 15, 2011 at 2:30 pm
The cabinet of ministers has decided to implement a policy to conduct a health assessment for the resident visa applicants to Sri Lanka, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said. This would be carried out according to a proposal made by Minister of Health Maithreepala Sirisena.
With the increased development activities taking place in the country after the conflict situation, it has been observed that quite a large number of foreigners obtain resident visas to Sri Lanka to participate in investment and other related activities.
Accordingly, an Immigration Health Unit will be established at the Department of Immigration and Emigration in collaboration with the Ministry of Health to verify the health assessment documents of those immigrants
(JNW)
December 15, 2011 at 12:22 pm
The government has decided to implement the National Human Rights Action Plan, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said. It will put into act according to the voluntary pledge given in the course of its participation at the Universal Periodic Review meeting at the UNHRC in 2008, the Minister disclosed.
The government considers it important to implement the Human Right Action Plan to enable successful engagement with several international human rights organizations, including the United Nations Human Rights Council.
On a proposal made by Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, it was decided to convene an Inter-ministerial committee under his chairmanship and further to undertake initial work for Sri Lanka’s participation in the second cycle of the Universal Periodic Review in October 2012.
(JNW)
December 15, 2011 at 12:05 pm
Railway line from Kalutara to Aluthgama will be closed for renovation from January 01, the Department of Railways said. The Kalutara-Galle railway line is scheduled to be open after the renovation in March next year, it disclosed.
(JNW)
December 15, 2011 at 11:28 am
One of the reasons for the setbacks Sri Lankan cricket team has suffered is the politics within the game of cricket, Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage has said. “It’s worse than our politics”, Minister Aluthgamage told the parliament at the debate held on the vote on account of the Ministry of Sports today(14).
“Sri Lankan cricket team should not have suffer continuous defeats against Pakistan team, since it has the capabilities to counter them. Therefore, I am not willing to accept those defeats” , he said. However, the Minister said all the problems within the team were discussed and have been solved.
“The team went to South Africa with much expectations. If the current team does not deliver, then I am ready to prepare a team for the next World Cup using the players of Sri Lanka ‘A’ team”, the Minister emphasized.
(JNW)
December 14, 2011 at 4:20 pm
Stern laws will be introduced to prevent sports personnel using banned substances, Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage said. Accordingly, they will be imposed with a life ban for sports if found guilty of using them, he told the parliament today(14).
(JNW)
December 14, 2011 at 3:45 pm
Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Dilan Perera says an electronic digit card will be issued for Sri Lankan migrant workers through the state banks from December 18. It will be able to use as a debt card as well as an identity card that could be produced abroad.
“Since this card will carry a photo and information about its holder, he or she will be able to overcome if any difficulty is faced in a foreign country”, the Minister told a media briefing held in Colombo yesterday(13).
(JNW)
December 14, 2011 at 6:51 am
Army is ready to transport, distribute and sell vegetables if needed, Army Spokesman Brigadier Nihal Hapuarachchi said.
(JNW)
December 13, 2011 at 5:10 pm
Results of the recent G.C.E. Advanced Level examination could be released in two days, if a method to issue z-scores is decided at the meeting which is scheduled to be held with the officials of the Higher Education Ministry tomorrow(14), Commissioner General of Examination Anura Edirisinghe said.
(JNW)
December 13, 2011 at 1:05 pm
His highness Emir of Qatar Sheikha Moza bint Nasser is to arrive in the island next month, Minister of External Affairs Professor G.L. Peiris said. He will be visiting the country to supervise how the initiatives of trade and investment agreements reached during Qatari Premier’s 2 day visit to Sri Lanka which concluded today, are implemented, the Minister stated.
(JNW)
December 13, 2011 at 12:47 pm
Five islands off Kalpitiya amounting to 500 acres are to be allocated to Qatar for tourism promotion activities, Senior Minister Sarath Amunugama said. Addressing a media briefing held in Colombo today(13), he said the islands will be allocated under the initiative of developing Kalpitiya as a tourist zone. Parallel to this, the Expressway from Katunayaka to Colombo, which is to be completed by the end of year 2012, will be extended upto Kalpitiya.
(JNW)
December 13, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Parliament select committee which has been appointed to form a national education act will present its report to the parliament in January, Minister Bandula Gunawardena said. He disclosed more than 700 evidences were received by the committee in this regard. “The committee will present its recommendations after considering them as well”, the Minister added.
(JNW)
December 13, 2011 at 11:05 am
Sri Lanka and India is to hold talks in diplomatic level to prevent Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters, Deputy Minister of Fisheries Susantha Punchinilame said. They will be held on January 13 & 14, he told the parliament today(12). Ministries of External Affairs and Fisheries of both countries will coordinate the talks.
(JNW)
December 12, 2011 at 6:15 pm
