It has been decided to cancel train services on the Colombo – Puttalam line from 8.30 this morning. This is as a result of the closure of the railway track between Negombo and Ja-ela from 8.30 Saturday morning till 4.30 Sunday evening.
Accordingly, train services along the Puttalam line will only operate from Colombo to Ja-ela.Train services from Puttalam to Colombo will be limited to Negombo.
The Control Room said that this step has been taken to facilitate the construction of a dual line on the Chilaw rail route.
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Work has begun on four driving lanes in the Marine Drive from Melbourne Avenue to Ramakrishna Road, the Road Development Authority (RDA) Project Director of the Marine Drive Extension Project, K. Selvanathan said.
“To ease the congestion in the Marine Drive the existing two-lane road would be converted to a four-lane one from Melboune Avenue to Ramakrishna Road,” he said.
Selvanathan also said that street lamps and foot walks will be added, sewage and drainage facilities improved, the road asphalted and the surrounding area landscaped to improve public convenience.
The road expansion is being carried out by the RDA and will take six months to complete.
Speaking about the 200-metre road extension from Vasala Road to Frazer Avenue and the 500 metre road extension from Kollupitiya Junction to Hotel Ranmuthu, which are also under the project, Selvanathan said that it is being delayed because the acquisition of land from Vasula Road to Frazer Avenue is incomplete.
“Compensation needs to be paid to land owners while land acquisition procedures are still on-going. The road extension work can begin only after the lands have been acquired,” he said. (Rumana Razick)
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Update: It seems that we might see the newest Windows as soon as September 30 in a preview event held by Microsoft. Also, we hope you like Cortana. Details below!
With Windows 8 and now Windows 8.1, Microsoft tried – not entirely successfully – to make tablets part of a continuum that goes from number-crunching workstations and high-end gaming rigs through all-in-one touchscreen media systems and thin-and light notebooks down to slender touch tablets.
The general consensus is that it still has a long way to go to produce a unified OS.
Despite rumors of an aggressive development and shipping schedule, there's no official word about what's in the next version of Windows, but there are plenty of rumors (many of them from Chinese enthusiast sites that claim to have leaked builds), plus more reliable information from job postings for the Windows and Windows Phone teams.
There are also patents, which may or may not be relevant, and some rare comments from developers on the Windows team. Here's what we've heard about Windows 9 and what we think is happening.
Cut to the chase
What is it? A complete update of Windows
When is it out? We expect it to be out in 2015
What will it cost? We really have no idea. But if Windows 8 is anything to go by, it won't cost much to upgrade.
Windows Blue turned out to be Windows 8.1 rather than a completely new version of the Windows OS – Windows 9 will be that new version.
As for interim releases, we'll probably also get Windows 8.2 before we get Windows 9. And we have already seen the initial update to Windows 8.1, called Windows 8.1 Update 1.
The new update features improvements to the Start Screen including the ability to boot straight into the Desktop, the return of shutdown on Start and a more familiar task bar to unify the old and new user interfaces. The update was announced at Build 2014, along with features teased for Windows updates to come.
It certainly seems there's a new development cadence for Windows in action. It seems that Microsoft is set to put out new releases of Windows, Windows RT and Windows Server every year, the way it already does for Windows Phone.
The next complete version of Windows is being referred to as Windows 9, though this may change. And a new codename has appeared – Threshold, possibly in refrence to moving across from our reliance on the desktop to a new world where the Start screen is at the heart of how we use Windows.
While still just a codename, Windows 9 was referenced by Microsoft in a job posting, spotted by MSFT Kitchen on March 13, 2013.
The ad, for a Bing Software Development Engineer, says that the team will be delivering products "in areas including Windows 9, IE11 services integration, touch friendly devices including iPad and more."
Windows 9 release date
As of right now, we expect to see Windows 9 in a preview build as early as September 30. The latest report from The Verge cites sources close to the matter with knowledge that press preview event will take place on that date. There are no details of where the event will take place or when exactly the preview build will be released, but we'll take it.
Microsoft communications chief Frank Shaw said the company wasn't ready to talk about how often Windows might come out when we spoke to him in January, but he agreed "you have certainly seen across a variety of our products a cadence that looks like that; Windows Phone is a good for example of that, our services are a good example of that".
We don't know if Windows 9 will be available as an upgrade from Windows 7 that you can buy as a standalone product or if you'll have to have Windows 8 to get the upgrade. But it may not be with us for a while yet – Windows business chief Tami Reller has talked about "multiple selling seasons" for Windows 8, meaning that we'll likely have several versions of it.
Some rumors have suggested late 2014 or early 2015 for a Windows 9 release, though the former seems wide of the mark. While claims and reports are all over the place, it seems like Windows 9 should drop before September 2015 at the latest.
In January 2014, well-known Microsoft blogger Paul Thurrott said he believes the company plans to release Windows 9 (codenamed Threshold) in April 2015, less than three years after Windows 8.
The thinking appears to be that the Windows 8 name is now too tarnished and that – in contrast to Reller's comments above – Microsoft wishes to clear things out by releasing Windows 9 instead.
ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley recently echoed these reports, citing sources pointing toward a spring 2015 release for Windows 9.
In May, prolific Microsoft leaker FaiKee released two separate documents that he or she claims to be Redmond's full roadmap for Windows 9 and other products. The first of which, released to the My Digital Life forums, pointed to text reading "Windows 9 Windows Preview Release @ 2015 02-03."
That appears to point toward a preview release of either February or March 2015. The second leak was caught by Myce.com, and is a bit more vague in timing but less so in the actual text. That alleged official document detailed a preview release between Q2 and Q3 2015, so by September of next year at the latest.
In June, we learned from a ZDNet source that Microsoft would launch a preview build of the latest Windows in the fall. But most recently, WZOR struck again with a rumor that Windows 9 in full will launch in that same time frame. Naturally, a Microsoft representative snapped back at the rumor on Twitter.
How much will Windows 9 cost?
Not a cent. At least that's what Russian leaker collective WZOR claims to have heard. The group reports that Microsoft is considering pushing out Windows 9 for free, but cannot confirm at this time.
What the collective has heard exactly is that a prototype version is in the works in which a barebones version of Windows 9 will be available for free. For additional functionality, users would have to pay up through a subscription.
That said, ZDNet's Foley has heard the opposite: different SKUs of Windows will be offered for free or at different prices to OEMs and consumers, but that the desktop version will indeed have a sticker price. A recent, subsequent leak provided by WZOR seems to not only corroborate Foley's sources, but render its previous report moot.
Windows 9: Return of the Start Menu
Teased during the Build 2014 keynote address, the long-missed Start is basically guaranteed to make its return in Windows 9. Since that preview of the Start menu, replete with both Desktop and Modern UI elements, a screenshot (seen below) of an updated version of the feature has surfaced – ba-dum, chhh – through the MyDigitalLife forums.
Regardless of whether the snap is legit, since Microsoft has publicly promised the return of the Start menu, it should be safe to expect its debut in Windows 9 ... whenever that is.
Next Part >>>
Source (techradar.com)
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Sept 12, Colombo: Sri Lanka's Roman Catholic Church today urged the Sri Lankans not to politicize the upcoming visit of Pope Francis to the island as speculations swirled that President Mahinda Rajapaksa may call a snap election for a third term.
Addressing a media briefing the Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said the Pope will visit the island from January 13 - 15 and expressed hope that Pontiff's visit would not be affected by the holding of a possible snap presidential election.
He said according to the Vatican rules the Pope does not visit to countries during election times and the President has been informed that it is not appropriate for the Pope to visit the country in the middle of an election campaign.
When asked whether the government can hold the election before the Papal visit, the Cardinal said it's government's decision.
"It is a decision for the government to make. We hope that the visit will not be disturbed by an election campaign and not be used as a political tool by both the government and opposition," the Cardinal said.
During his maiden visit to Sri Lanka the Pope will meet Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapaksa and also will attend a cordial gathering with the clerics of other religions.
A divine sermon will be held at Galle Face Greens on the 14th morning. On the evening of the same day Pope Francis will conduct a special sermon at the Madhu Church in Mannar.
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith informed that the Pope will also bless the people from the statue of the Lady of Madhu.
Following Sri Lanka visit Pope will visit Philippines from 15 to 19 January 2015.
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Preliminary investigations have revealed that a valuable albino cobra reported missing at the National Zoo in Dehiwela, has been sold to an unidentified person.
Director of the Dehiwela Zoo Anura de Silva says that investigations into the incident are underway, adding that only a handful of authorised personnel were allowed to enter the enclosure where the snakes were being kept.
Zoo authorities say the albino cobra possibly went missing on either Saturday or Sunday.
Authorities also say the reptile has no scientific value.
The zoo’s director, however, noted that inquiries had been made by various persons wishing to purchase albino cobras.
The missing albino cobra was being kept at a secure location at the time of its disappearance.
While an internal investigation is being conducted by zoo authorities, the Dehiwela Police too are investigating the disappearance of the albino cobra.
The police say that statements have been recorded from two persons regarding the disappearance.
Zoologists say that there is a high prevalence of albino snakes in Maharagama and Piliyandala in comparison with other parts of the country.
On a related note, an incident where three snakes were removed from the Dehiwela Zoo was reported around June 15.
Investigations into this incident revealed that an officer at the reptiles section of the Zoo had removed a cobra, a python and a sand python for use in an exhibition.
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ONLINE RETAIL GIANT Amazon is expected to announce its debut smartphone, likely to launch under its Kindle brand, at an event in Seattle on 18 June, with the firm looking to challenge the likes of Apple and Samsung.
We've rounded up everything we already know about the Amazon Kindle smartphone so far, and will update this as we learn more, so keep this page bookmarked.
Release date
It's pretty much confirmed that Amazon will launch a Kindle smartphone at the firm's 18 June event, which it teases in the below video, but there's no word yet as to when the device will hit shelves.
However, given Amazon's track record of prompt device release dates, it likely will arrive before the end of the month, despite the Wall Street Journal having previously claimed that it will go on sale in September.
Price
Amazon's smartphone, much like its Kindle tablets, likely will be cheaper than its top-end rivals, such as the iPhone 5S and Galaxy S5. It's unclear how much the smartphone will cost - but it's expected to be priced similarly to the Google Nexus 5.
Specs
Of course, with Amazon yet to unwrap its debut smartphone, the handset's specifications remain to be announced. However, there has been plenty of speculation surrounding the device - telling us almost all we need to know about it.
The screen is expected to be the Amazon smartphone's standout feature, with rumours claiming that it will boast a 4.7in HD 720p screen, complete with three-dimensional features. According to reports, the display will support glasses-free 3D images, which it will achieve by using Retina tracking technology embedded in four front-facing cameras. This also will apparently allow users to navigate the device by moving their eyes.
The WSJ reported in April, "The 3D screen technology can sense the movement of a person's eyes and whether the screen is moving closer to a user's face, according to people familiar with the matter. In response, the phone will be able to automatically zoom into images as it moves closer to a user's face and could manipulate text and images as a person moves the phone."
Beyond its screen, the Amazon smartphone reportedly will look a lot like Apple's iPhone, with leaked images (above) pointing towards a boxy, glass-coated casing, complete with exposed screws on its rear. It;s unclear what material the device will be built from, but given that it's likely to be cheaper than its competitors, we'll put our money on plastic.
The Amazon smartphone likely will arrive running Google's Android 4.4 Kitkat mobile operating system, although the firm will skin this in its heavy custom user interface, similar to that found on its Kindle smartphones. This skin likely will provide the phone with Amazon's "Mayday" feature, and will offer access to Amazon's Appstore, which has tripled its content over the past year.
Other rumoured specifications include a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, a yet-unspecified dual camera set up, and support for 4G LTE.
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UNP Parliamentarian Rosy Senanaye says that the government has failed in building relations with key countries that Sri Lanka engages with.
She expressed these views in an exclusive interview with News1st’s Bureau Chief in Washington Gadaafi Ismail.
UNP Parliamentarian, Rosy Senanayake expressed following views,
In a post war situation I think we need to basically, re-portray, re-brand Sri Lanka. I strongly believe that the government has failed in building relations with key countries that we deal with in the last couple of years. When the government fails to have good relations with the people – we need to have good relations; I strongly believe that our foreign relations are not adequate enough for us to basically portray us in the right light and because we have been arrogant, we have failed to do what is right after the war.
We have won the war. I give all the credit to the President and the government for winning the war. But after the war… When we talk about the LLRC Report, when we talk about the recommendations, when we talk about reconciliation. I think there has been a lapse there has been a lethargicness – I think they have been lethargic in implementing the recommendations, there has been a lack of interest. “
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The Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence of convicted murderer Jude Jayamaha.
Jude Jayamaha was convicted of the murder of Yvonne Johnson in 2005.
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The Railways Department has requested the public to be cautious when travelling by train during the Poson festive season.
Railway Commercial Superintendent Sisira Kumara said that there are narrow bridges along the northern railway line up to Anuradhapura.
He said that in the past many people were exposed to danger as a result of travelling in an unsafe manner.
Hence, the Sri Lanka railway service has requested the public to refrain from travelling on the footboard or travelling in any other unsafe manner.
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The Criminal Investigate Department (CID) had received 97 complaints regarding a fake web site, which had been as the web page of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau, the Police said today.
A man and his wife along with the web developer were arrested by the CID for swindling over Rs. 16 million by maintaining the fake web site on the assurance of offering jobs in Korea last Friday.
Colombo Chief Magistrate remanded the suspect man and his wife till June 16. The web developer was released on two sureties of Rs. 5 million each.
The Police had requested those who had been cheated by the suspects to call the CID on 011-2320145 and lodge complaints.(DS)
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Two men and a woman were arrested by the CID for allegedly swindling over Rs. 16 million by maintaining a fake website offering jobs to Korea.
The husband and wife team were arrested in Kollupitiya while an accomplice was taken into custody in Ratmalana. Another accomplice, a woman had evaded arrest by fleeing to Italy with Rs. 10 million, the police said.
The CID halted maintenance of the fake web site, which was similar to the web page of the Foreign Employment Bureau and could be found under the similar URL www.slbflanka.com.
The husband and wife team along with the web developer were arrested by the CID, the police spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said. The office in Kollupitiya where the operation was conducted had been sealed.
More than Rs. 6 million was also taken into custody when the couple was arrested.
SSP Rohana said the husband had posed as the coordinating Secretary of the Minister for Foreign Employment, Dilan Perera to swindle unsuspecting individuals.
The police spokesman said a large number of complaints had been received about the website which had begun operations three months ago.
The web developer was paid Rs. 50,000 to make the page and a red notice was to be obtained for the last accomplice, SSP Rohana said.
The police requested those who had been swindled by the team to call 0112320145 for making complaints.(Darshana Sanjeewa)
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A woman was stabbed to death with her throat slit, at her home in Makandana, Madapatha in Piliyandala.
The Police Media Unit says that another woman who was in the house at the time was also attacked and has sustained serious injuries.
The murder victim was a 55-year-old woman.
The police say that the woman, who lived alone, was employed as a security guard at a private apparel factory.
The police added that the woman injured in the incident had been abroad and had arrived at this residence five days ago.
The injured woman is said to be a friend of the murder victim’s son, who is also abroad.
Meanwhile, a man was killed in a brawl during a wedding reception in Imbulgoda, Gampaha on Saturday evening.
The victim has been identified as Pradeep Thushara Jayawardane, a father of one from the Saliya Ashokapura area in Rajanganaya.
The Acting Magistrate in Gampaha conducted the magisterial inquest Sunday morning.
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Three Russian naval ships of the Pacific Fleet arrived at the Port of Colombo today under the Command of Rear Admiral Vladmir A. Dmitriev and ships’ Commanding Officers for replenishment and crews’ relaxation.
The ships are “Marshal Shaposhnikov”, “Irkut” and “Alatau”. They were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions on their arrival.
“Marshal Shaposhnikov” is an anti-submarine ship commanded by Captain 1st Rank Dmitriy V. Paschenyuk. It is 162.8 meters in length and has a displacement of 7,595 tons. The ship’s complement consists of 38 officers and 321 seamen.
The visiting Russian ships will stay in Sri Lanka until 08th June. The ships’ complements are scheduled to participate in a special programme organised by the Sri Lanka Navy during their stay in Sri Lanka.
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Three suspects in connection with the killing of a bus conductor and attempted killing of another in Tangalle were arrested last night at Pallikudawa in Tangalle, police said.
A bus conductor was shot dead at the Tangalle bus stand by two unidentified gunmen who arrived in a motorcycle on Wednesday. Another person was injured in gunfire near Tangalle Magistrate Court on May 22.
Police said the three arrested were residents of Tangalle. (Ariyadasa Kodithuwakkau)
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Nirosha Wimalaratne, who also came to be known as the ‘cobra girl’ was admitted to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital for the birth of her child.
Ms. Wimalaratne hit headlines some time ago when she was arrested on charges of performing at a night club with her pet cobra. (Athula Bandara & Indika Ramanayake)
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Ayutthaya: A project to build a Sri Lankan Buddhist temple in the historic Ayutthaya City in Thailand’s Ayutthaya Province will be launched, according to a report by the Thailand National News Bureau.
The Ayutthaya Governor Witthaya Phiophong and Sri Lankan Ambassador to Thailand General Shantha Kottegoda have recently surveyed Wat Krachai, Ayutthaya Province, the intended site to construct the Sri Lankan Temple.
According to the Ayutthaya Governor, the Sri Lankan Temple will be built following an international relationship agreement between Ayutthaya Province and Sri Lanka for an exchange of temple constructions in both countries, in order to strengthen their international religious relationship.
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ewellery and cash valued at Rs. 2.5 mn had been burgled from the house of popular actress Nayana Kumari yesterday, the Police said.
Police Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said investigations were being carried out by the Talangama Police.
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A group of thirteen Tamil youth had been arrested in Lunawa last morning while attempting to illegally set sail to Australia, Police Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said.
The suspects were found at a rest house in Lunawa, Moratuwa where they were staying since May 26.
Police said, an individual from Jaffna had promised them take to Australia for a fee of Rs. 10,000 each and send them to Australia from Moratuwa.
The group was arrested on a tip-off received by the Moratuwa Mobile Police patrol.
The suspects were from Jaffna, Nedunkerni, Mulliyavalai, Jaffna, Mullaithivu, Kilinochchi and Vavuniya,
Investigations are carried out by the Moratuwa Police.
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The Police Department has advised motorist to desist from fixing any other lights above the headlights of vehicles and warned that legal action would be taken against those who violated the law.
“We will remove such lights and in case we find it difficult to do so, the motorists will be given a day’s time to do so and to show us that it has been. Defaulter will be taken to Courts,” Traffic DIG Amarasiri Senaratne said.
He said only ambulances and police vehicles would be allowed to use such lights and those who wished to have such lights on their vehicles would need prior approval from the Defence Ministry.
The DIG said motorists should not to cover windscreens of vehicles.
The decision was taken after receiving several reports that many vehicles were using flashing coloured lights on the windscreens. (Darshana Sanjeewa)
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Pahan Gunawardane, the son of Minister Bandula Gunawardane was sentenced to six months rigorous imprisonment suspended for five years and was fined Rs.6,000 by the Matara Additional Magistrate today for culpable homicide not amounting to murder in an accident on February 20 at Gandara.The Magistrate also ordered Pahan Gunawardane to pay Rs. 100,000 as compensation for the wife of the deceased. (Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk)
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