Colombo s Lotus Tower by Gazala Anver On a clear day, it’s difficult to miss the yet to be completed Lotus Tower dominating Colombo ’s skyline. Although the project has been mired in controversy (and not the Freudian sort), and perhaps because of it, most people seem unsure as to what purpose the Tower will serve. We all know the basics of how the Lotus Tower will be the tallest tower in South Asia – but here’s a list of things about the Lotus Tower which you probably didn’t know, but should know (because let’s face it, whether you like it or not, it’s definitely here to stay). 1. Currently, 292.2 metres (958 feet) of the Lotus Tower , up to the concrete mast, has been completed. The metal mast and the petals are yet to be finished. 2. The entire project is to be completed by October 2017 and ...

Former Australian Prime Ministers We take a look at Australia’s previous prime ministers and how they lost office. TONY ABBOTT – September 14, 2015 (Liberal): Lost in leadership spill to Malcolm Turnbull. KEVIN RUDD – 2013 (Labor): Lost election to Tony Abbott, retired from politics. JULIA GILLARD – 2010-2013 (Labor): Ousted by Rudd after she spilled the leadership, retired following the loss. KEVIN RUDD – 2007-2013 (Labor): Resigned after Gillard challenged him for the leadership. Sat on the backbench until re-elected in 2013. JOHN HOWARD – 1996-2007 (Liberal): Lost election and his seat in parliament to Rudd and Labor after successful “Kevin 07” campaign. PAUL KEATING – 1991-1996 (Labor): Defeated by Howard in election, resigned from parliament. BOB HAWKE – 1983-1991 (Labor): Defeated in leadership ballot by Keating 56-51. Stayed on briefly as a backbencher before retiring. MALCOLM FRASER – 1975-1983 (Liberal): Defeated by Hawke in general election. Retired from ...

Health and Views 2016 February 1st Issue Click here to read more Health & Views February 1st issue ...

Gradient Alliance News Bulletin January 2016 The only source for a roundup of key Sri Lankan News. Economic News Budget deficit reaches 7.2% in 2015. 2016 budget revisions continue, VAT/NBT latest casualty. USD 5-6bn FDI targeted; 2015 inflows fall to USD 700-800m. Sri Lanka slightly improves to 83rd in the Corruption Index. ASPI closes at 6, 340.10 in Jan. (-8.0% YoY). Business News Tourist arrivals in 2015 up 17.8% YoY to a record 1.7m. Vehicle reg. up 54.4% YoY in 2015 to an all-time high. Tea production in 2015 at a three year low. Business sentiment index rises to 157 in Dec.(+5 pts MoM). Consumer News Nielsen consumer confidence index at 75 (-9 pts MoM). Dec. inflation rises 4.2%% YoY under the new index. Bread prices up. Rs.100 tax on a per kg of canned fish imposed. Gradient Alliance News Bulletin – January 2016 ...

Sri Lankan Expats In Australia: Types And Troubles by Kelum Wijewardena Over the years, droves of Sri Lankans have migrated to Australia, making the land Down Under home to one of the largest Sri Lankan communities outside of you know where. However, if you speak to most Sri Lankan expats here, they will unanimously state that there is no better place on the planet than Mother Lanka. The food, the people, the culture – and even the political anarchy – makes for good theatre. As Jeremy Clarkson said, there’s no better drama than reality. Conversely, most Sri Lankans living on in Lanka land have professed that they are dying to get out of the country. One could even say that there was a time when the most commonly used English letters among Lankan students in Australia was “PR.” Now it seems as if these two letters have made their way, perhaps ...

News For Seniors January 2016 click here to read News for Seniors Isue 95Jan 2016 ...

Sri Lankan Airlines ranked second in Asia and Asia-Pacific for Lowest Carbon Footprint Colombo, January 22 2016: SriLankan Airlines gained worldwide recognition for its pioneering efforts in environmental conservation when the prestigious Business Traveller magazine ranked it second among airlines in the Asia and Asia-Pacific region for having the lowest carbon footprint. The enormous region includes the Middle East, South Asia, the Far East and Asia-Pacific (Australasia), home to most of the world’s finest airlines. Ajith Dias, SriLankan Airlines’ Chairman, said: “SriLankan Airlines takes great pride in being among the best corporate citizens in our country, in both the state and private sectors, especially when it comes to sustainable practices with regard to our community, our customers, and our employees.” ...

40 of 50 world’s Blue chip Companies to invest in SL ! Sir Richard Brenson world renowned entrepreneur too to visit SL ! (Lanka-e-News -25.Jan.2016, 8.10PM) This was the first time Sri Lanka (SL) was invited to participate in this year’s World Economic Forum . At this Forum , about 50 Blue chip Companies of the world , that is 50 of the richest companies held clear and lengthy discussions in regard to SL ‘s new economic policies . The discussions proved so fruitful that about 40 of these companies have evinced their desire to invest in SL. Just as , this was the first time SL was invited to this conference, this outcome of the discussions was also the first time SL had been able to successfully convince the blue chip Companies to seek investment in SL – this is something unprecedented in SL’s history , said Malik Samarawickrema ...

Justice delayed – a common practice today Jan. 25. 2016 Archbishop Emeritus, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Oswald Gomis’ Homily at the Red Mass organised by the Catholic Lawyers’ Associationan. A one time Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, himself a qualified lawyer said. “The independence of the Judiciary is the citadel of democracy.” This is true indeed. At a time especially when we were under the British, our Judicial network was held in very high esteem and admired even by the British. When we talk of the judiciary it is not their Lordships, the Judges of the Court that I speak of. I refer to the whole judicial structure – from the bench downwards and especially the lawyers. Unfortunately, there are some in the profession who are totally blind to the need and welfare of their clients. There was a time when we believed in the principle that ‘justice delayed ...

Nalika Padmasena has won the Premier’s Harmony Award for her outstanding work helping women suffering from family and domestic violence. Photo: Edwina Pickles For Sinhalese migrant Nalika Padmasena her work helping women from culturally diverse backgrounds to speak about domestic and family violence, helped to ease her own homesickness. ...