Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Leading News from Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka may be dubbed as a small country but it is a country with a big heart, said Icon of Bollywood cinema Amitabh Bachchan when he visited Sri Lanka yesterday(20/April/2010), as the Brand Ambassador of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) to endorse Sri Lanka as the host for IFFA Awards which will be held in Colombo from June 3 to 5.
The IIFA weekend which will comprise events such as the FICCI IIFA Global Business Forum, the IIFA Fashion Extravaganza, the IIFA Foundation Celebrity Cricket match, world premieres of Indian films and IIFA Film Workshop will also take place along side the 11th IIFA Awards.
The main attraction of the lineup, the awards ceremony, will be held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium on June 5.
The IIFA Awards is the biggest South Asian media event and is broadcast to 600 million across 110 countries.
Speaking at the event Bachchan stated that the event not only takes Indian cinema to the world but also opens doors to exchange of technology and interaction with some of the publics’ favourite stars.
“I admire the manner in which Sri Lanka is trying to integrate harmony and peace among its ethnic and cultural groups in the country. It sets a wonderful example to the world and I would certainly encourage many others to visit the country and explore what it has to offer to them,” he said.
Former Tourism Minister Achala Jagoda, Tourism Ministry Secretary K.A.D. George Michael, Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, IIFA Director Sabbas Joseph, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Managing Director Dileep Mudadeniya, artistes Ravindra Randeniya, Jackson Anthony and Sri lankan born Indian actress Jacqueline Fernandez also spoke.
Leading News from Sri Lanka....
World famous Bollywood Film Star Amithab Bachchan called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa at President’s House, Colombo last evening. Here Amithab Bachchan presenting an IIFA souvenir to President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
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Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Leading News from Sri Lanka.....
Sri Lanka to host 'Bollywood Oscars'
Sri Lanka will host top Indian movie stars for the annual "Bollywood Oscars" weekend showcasing one of the world's most ambitious and prolific film industries, officials said Tuesday.
The three-day International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) event from June 3-5 will feature premieres, celebrity parties, fashion shows and a Twenty20 cricket match.
It will culminate in the glittering 11th annual awards ceremony in Colombo's biggest sports stadium, which organisers say will be attended by 500 guests and watched by 600 million TV viewers in 110 nations.
"This is a very rare and wonderful opportunity for Sri Lanka. Thanks to the prevailing peace, Sri Lanka has received international recognition," Duleep Mudadeniya, who heads the tourism bureau, told reporters.
Celebrities expected to attend include famous Indian acting dynasty the Bachchans -- father Amitabh, son Abhishek and his wife, former Miss World Aishwarya Rai.
IIFA brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan said he hoped the decision to bring the event to Colombo -- which comes after the end of the island's long civil war last year -- would encourage collaboration.
"It is not purely about films, it is also about business networking and cross-cultural exchange. It is like a combination of Cannes and the Oscars," Bachchan told reporters in Colombo.
The awards, first staged in 2000, are held outside India every year in an effort to increase the international profile of Bollywood films.
After the first IIFA awards in London, Hindi cinema ticket sales grew 35 percent in Britain over the following six months, organisers said. Other sites have included Macau, Johannesburg and Amsterdam.
Bachchan said previous cities that hosted the event had since become popular sites for Indian films.
"The potential to film in this part of the world (Sri Lanka) remains untapped, and this could change after IIFA," Bachchan said.
India's production houses churn out about 1,000 new releases a year for enormous audience at home. Nearly half of the new movies are shot abroad.
The three-day International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) event from June 3-5 will feature premieres, celebrity parties, fashion shows and a Twenty20 cricket match.
It will culminate in the glittering 11th annual awards ceremony in Colombo's biggest sports stadium, which organisers say will be attended by 500 guests and watched by 600 million TV viewers in 110 nations.
"This is a very rare and wonderful opportunity for Sri Lanka. Thanks to the prevailing peace, Sri Lanka has received international recognition," Duleep Mudadeniya, who heads the tourism bureau, told reporters.
Celebrities expected to attend include famous Indian acting dynasty the Bachchans -- father Amitabh, son Abhishek and his wife, former Miss World Aishwarya Rai.
IIFA brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan said he hoped the decision to bring the event to Colombo -- which comes after the end of the island's long civil war last year -- would encourage collaboration.
The awards, first staged in 2000, are held outside India every year in an effort to increase the international profile of Bollywood films.
After the first IIFA awards in London, Hindi cinema ticket sales grew 35 percent in Britain over the following six months, organisers said. Other sites have included Macau, Johannesburg and Amsterdam.
Bachchan said previous cities that hosted the event had since become popular sites for Indian films.
"The potential to film in this part of the world (Sri Lanka) remains untapped, and this could change after IIFA," Bachchan said.
India's production houses churn out about 1,000 new releases a year for enormous audience at home. Nearly half of the new movies are shot abroad.
The Education in rural areas of Sri Lanka.....
The necessity of connecting geography to history in the school curriculum is now being extensively discussed in educational forums of other countries.
Modern educationalists point out that, “History has a spatial dimension - the places where human actions occur. For example, aspects of the natural environment, such as climate and terrain, influence human behaviour; and people affect the places they inhabit.
Therefore, main ideas of geography, such as the location of places and relationships within places should be included as important parts of the study of history.” Research done in Singapore and a number of European countries about this combination had proven that students agree.
Most of them believe that besides the critical thinking skills the combined subject brings with it, it also makes for interesting learning. One student added: ‘I think it is more interesting this way.
When I learn about the formation of rivers, I will also learn about history - how rivers were used for survival, major floods and the subsequent formation of dams - so knowledge is more complete.’ If the combination of history and geography has worked so well in many countries, shouldn’t we also begin to do a serious study of it? A number of teachers of social studies whom I have spoken with were in favour of any move to integrate the teaching and learning of these two subjects. They said that the ability to perceive links and connect the dots across disciplines has tremendous practical importance.
In our highly knowledge-intensive and interconnected era, we must help students develop broad perspectives and appreciate complex interrelationships.
---Copyright © Whatz Up... 2010---
Modern educationalists point out that, “History has a spatial dimension - the places where human actions occur. For example, aspects of the natural environment, such as climate and terrain, influence human behaviour; and people affect the places they inhabit.
Therefore, main ideas of geography, such as the location of places and relationships within places should be included as important parts of the study of history.” Research done in Singapore and a number of European countries about this combination had proven that students agree.
Most of them believe that besides the critical thinking skills the combined subject brings with it, it also makes for interesting learning. One student added: ‘I think it is more interesting this way.
When I learn about the formation of rivers, I will also learn about history - how rivers were used for survival, major floods and the subsequent formation of dams - so knowledge is more complete.’ If the combination of history and geography has worked so well in many countries, shouldn’t we also begin to do a serious study of it? A number of teachers of social studies whom I have spoken with were in favour of any move to integrate the teaching and learning of these two subjects. They said that the ability to perceive links and connect the dots across disciplines has tremendous practical importance.
In our highly knowledge-intensive and interconnected era, we must help students develop broad perspectives and appreciate complex interrelationships.
---Copyright © Whatz Up... 2010---
News from Thailand.....
The Thai army sent troops to a Bangkok business district on Monday, a day after vowing to punish protesters if they marched there, raising fears of more violence after 24 people died in bloody clashes a week ago.
Army commanders had been due to meet later in the day for what was billed as a regular meeting, but officials said it had been postponed. No explanation was given.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva made army chief General Anupong Paochinda head of national security on Friday, replacing a deputy prime minister, after admitting efforts to control a five-week protest movement aimed at forcing an early election had failed.
The stock market fell 2.8 percent in early trade in continued reaction to the unrest, although other regional markets were also lower. Bangkok shares fell 6.8 percent last week, when trading was restricted to Monday and Friday because of holidays.
"Overall sentiment remains weak, especially with increasing political risk, which will add to the pressure on the market," said Globlex Securities analyst Chakkrit Charoenmetachai.
Bond yields fell as investors switched to the relative safety of government debt and bet the Bank of Thailand would not raise interest rates on Wednesday because political unrest could set back the economic recovery.
Red-shirted supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra have said they would take their protest to the business district this week, two blocks away from their main base in an upmarket shopping area, in defiance of an emergency decree.
------Reuters©
Copyright © Whatz Up... 2010
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Leading News from Sri Lanka
Pirith at Parliamentary Complex - Sri Lanka
President Mahinda Rajapaksa attended a Pirith ceremony held at the Sri Jayawardanapura Parliamentary Complex, Sunday evening. All elected MPs and former Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara also participated.
Pix by Chandana Perera.
Copyright © Whatz Up... 2010
President Mahinda Rajapaksa attended a Pirith ceremony held at the Sri Jayawardanapura Parliamentary Complex, Sunday evening. All elected MPs and former Speaker W.J.M. Lokubandara also participated.
Pix by Chandana Perera.
Copyright © Whatz Up... 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Financial news from Sri Lanka...
PC House partners with Creative Solutions
PC House Private Limited has long been locally renowned for their attention to customer needs as well as their trademark of high quality products and diverse product range. The recently signed partnership between PC House and Creative Technology Ltd Singapore is a testament to the companies' dedication to keeping Sri Lankan consumers at the very cutting edge of available technology.
The recent growth of the entertainment industry and the enhanced demands of advanced lifestyles of consumers have contributed to a rise in demand for sound and gaming accessories. While Creative Technology is the worldwide leader in digital entertainment products, providing technology that has revolutionised the entire industry the combination of PC House and Creative Technologies provides a powerhouse combination of the best products and the best services.
Their innovations have changed the face of how consumers operate their PC's and appreciate sound. We are confident that coupled with our extensive islandwide distribution networks and our commitment to customer satisfaction, this partnership will benefit consumers and enrich lives for many years to come'. The extensive range of products offered by Creative are not only covered by the average warranty, they are also upgraded regularly, ensuring that the technology available is always the latest innovations.
Copyright © 2010 Whatz Up... All rights reserved.
PC House Private Limited has long been locally renowned for their attention to customer needs as well as their trademark of high quality products and diverse product range. The recently signed partnership between PC House and Creative Technology Ltd Singapore is a testament to the companies' dedication to keeping Sri Lankan consumers at the very cutting edge of available technology. The recent growth of the entertainment industry and the enhanced demands of advanced lifestyles of consumers have contributed to a rise in demand for sound and gaming accessories. While Creative Technology is the worldwide leader in digital entertainment products, providing technology that has revolutionised the entire industry the combination of PC House and Creative Technologies provides a powerhouse combination of the best products and the best services.
Their innovations have changed the face of how consumers operate their PC's and appreciate sound. We are confident that coupled with our extensive islandwide distribution networks and our commitment to customer satisfaction, this partnership will benefit consumers and enrich lives for many years to come'. The extensive range of products offered by Creative are not only covered by the average warranty, they are also upgraded regularly, ensuring that the technology available is always the latest innovations.
Copyright © 2010 Whatz Up... All rights reserved.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Leading News from Sri Lanka...
Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa said he is humbled by the continuing support his government receives from the people and the confidence placed in his policies.
"We are humbled by the size of the repeated mandates given by the people and pledge to respond, in full measure, to the trust placed in us," the President said commenting on the on the results of the parliamentary elections held on April 8.The ruling party won 117 seats of the 225-member parliament and secured its power in the new parliament which is to be convened on April 22. The results however, are not yet complete as re-polling is scheduled for two polling divisions.
President Rajapaksa noted that the assured majority in parliament given by the voters encourages the government to proceed with its policies for the strengthening of peace and reconciliation, reconstruction, greater infrastructure development, increased investment in identified areas of growth, and the overall development of the country to make it the centre of economic and social progress in South Asia.
Copyright © 2010 Whatz Up!... All rights reserved.
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Thursday, April 8, 2010
Political news from Sri Lanka...
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* First post war General Election * First result by midnight
* Tight security countrywide
It is all systems go as the nation elects a new Parliament today in the first General Election to be held in post war Sri Lanka. It is the second major election in four months following the Presidential Election in January this year.
The Elections Commissioner’s Department said all arrangements have been put in place to ensure a free and fair polls to elect members to the 14th Parliament where 196 members will be returned on the District List and 29 from the National List.
A total of 7,620 candidates from 36 political parties and 301 independent groups are in the fray representing 22 electoral districts. Together with the National List members, the House will comprise 225 members under the Proportional Representation system.
A total of 14,088,500 persons are eligible to cast their vote at today’s election which will be conducted at 11,155 centres. Polling begins at 7.00 a.m and ends at 4.00 p.m. The counting is scheduled to commence at midnight at 1,387 counting centres. Of this 20 counting centres have been established to count votes of IDPs. Counting of postal votes will take place first.
Copyright © 2010 Whatz Up... All rights reserved
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Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Sri Lankan stocks rallied across the board Tuesday with the All Share Price Index (ASPI) reaching a new high, passing the previous high of 3,844.80 points on March 12, 2010, brokers said.
Colombo's ASPI closed at 3,870.35, up 88.45 points, while the Milanka index of more liquid shares gained 2.12 percent (92.17 points) to close at 4,441.12.
Turnover was 1.2 billion rupees, according to stock exchange provisional figures.
Brokers said the Milanka Index passed its previous high of 4,439.60 points on March 15, 2010.
“Today we saw the market bounce back after a dull spell dominated largely by retail investors,” Rakshitha Perera, research manager at Bartleet Mallory Stockbrokers said.
“With the fiscal year ended it will be interesting to see how some of the companies have fared for the full year as the future growth numbers have not been factored in. Hence some of the shares are trading at a fair bit of discount relative to peers.”
Aitken Spence closed at 460.00 rupees, up 26.25, John Keells Holdings closed at 186.00 rupees, up 25 cents, Hayleys closed at 236.75 rupees, up 5.50 and Hemas Holdings closed at 120.00 rupees, up 1.75.
Brokers said 50,000 National Development Bank shares changed hands in a private off-the-floor deal at 216.00 rupees per share. It closed at 218.50 rupees, up 8.50. DFCC Bank closed at 191.75 rupees, up 8.25.
Commercial Bank closed at 227.00 rupees, up 8.00, Hatton National Bank closed at 205.00 rupees, up 15.75, Sampath Bank closed at 229.75 rupees, up 5.75 and Seylan bank closed at 49.50 rupees, up 2.25.
Bukit Darah closed at 3,347.50 rupees, up 147.50, and Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka, an alcohol producer closed at 122.00 rupees, up 4.00.
Copyright © 2010 Whatz Up... Inc. All rights reserved.
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Fonseka’s health re-examined......
A chest physician attached to the chest clinic of the Colombo National hospital today checked the health condition of General Sarath Fonseka who is under military detention and reconfirmed that he was in good health contrary to claims by his wife Anoma Fonseka.Military spokesman Major General Prasad Samarasinghe stated that certain tests were also carried out and that General Fonseka continued to be in good health. The same physician had examined General Sarath Fonseka last Monday (5th April 2010) as well.
Copyright © 2010 Whatz Up... All rights reserved.
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Tuesday, April 6, 2010
US $ 4,000 per capita income by 2016
US $ 4,000 per capita income by 2016 in Sri Lanka
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday that the country attained middle income status during the last five years which is a unique achievement. “During the past five years, the country gained a per capita income of US $ 2,053, while becoming a middle-income State.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday that the country attained middle income status during the last five years which is a unique achievement. “During the past five years, the country gained a per capita income of US $ 2,053, while becoming a middle-income State.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Q: Can I use Sun protection & still look flowless?
A: Its better to use an Urban shield foundation which contain SPF 15 & rhodoarosite extract, which help protect your skin from the sun.
A: Use a waterproof Mascara, which lets you swim, sweat & cry-without running! Later-on remove it easily with a Waterproof Make-up remover.
Q: How can I keep my lip colour looking smooth & even?A: The secret to smooth lip colour is smooth lips. Keep you lips moisturised with a Lip Balm, and they will always be kissably smooth.
Q: How do I stop my nails from drying and breaking?A: Make nail care part of your daily beauty routine. After washing the hands, your nails become dry. So treat them to a Vitamin boost with a proper nail nourishing serum.
Friday, April 2, 2010
It happened right in front of us — in a bid to duck the crowd who had gathered around her vanity van last week — Jacqueline Fernandez’s mobile slipped out of her hands. And before she could recover it, the device was already broken into bits.
As the actor started talking about her upcoming film by Sajid Nadiadwala, we deflected the topic towards Sri Lanka where the film industry has almost ceased to exist because of the continuous tension.
“Now that the tension has eased a little bit and the situation there is slowly returning to normal, I am sure that we should be able to revive the film industry there. As much as I want to be a part of Bollywood, I also want the film industry in Sri Lanka to stand back on its feet and make world-class movies,” she says.
So, is she willing to go to Sri Lanka and act in a few movies there considering the fact that she has already got a little bit of a grounding in Bollywood? “Why not? There are so many filmmakers there like, say, a Vimukhti Jayasundara. I would love to work in a film made by these immensely talented film-makers,” Jacqueline adds.
The pretty lass says that she has already got a home in Mumbai and she considers her as a Mumbaikar now.
“Though I am Miss Sri Lanka and I grew up in London, I feel that I have started to feel like a Mumbaikar. I have got 54 pairs of sarees now and I am wearing them at events too. Mumbai feels like my city. It seems odd to me when somebody tells me that I am not from the city. It feels that I have always been here,” she ends.
Love is one of the most difficult questions for the mankind. Centuries have passed by, relationships have bloomed and so has love. But no one can give the proper definition of love. To some Love is friendship set on fire for others Maybe love is like luck. You have to go all the way to find it. No matter how you define it or feel it, love is the eternal truth in the history of mankind.
Love is patient, love is kind. It has no envy, nor it boasts itself and it is never proud. It rejoices over the evil and is the truth seeker. Love protects; preserves and hopes for the positive aspect of life. Always stand steadfast in love, not fall into it. It is like the dream of your matter of affection coming true.
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