Sri Lanka 99th in quality of life index: report
Sri Lanka has been ranked 99th among 175 countries in the Human Development Index of a UN report, which measures achievements in terms of life expectancy, educational attainment and income per person.This was revealed in the Human Development Report 2003, a UN publication, which gives an analysis of the progress made in achieving the millenium Development Goals.

Maldives was ranked 86th, ahead of Sri Lanka, while India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh were also ranked under Medium Human Development. Nepal and Pakistan, however, came under Low Human Development.

The report focuses on strengths and weaknesses of states in achieving the Millennium Development Goals by the year 2015. Millennium Goals is a global campaign, which was decided at a UN-sponsored Millennium Summit in September 2000 where 147 world leaders agreed to meet eight goals by 2015.

Eighteen quantifiable targets combating poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women back each goal, with a specific commitment to reverse the spread of poverty and disease.

Steps to revamp House
Parliament on Friday approved the setting up of a select committee to assess the present condition of the Parliamentary complex including its structure, equipment and services and make recommendations for its improvement.

The areas that will get special attention will include structure, electrical and telecommunication systems, road network including internal roads, pavements and drains, and the security and computer systems.

The other areas that will be looked into include the kitchen equipment and the fire-fighting system among others.

Prohibition on bus takeover extended
By Nilika Kasturisinghe
The order prohibiting the hand over of the six cluster bus companies to the IBIS consortium was extended until July 28 by the courts on Friday, when the case filed by two CTB employees was taken up.

The IBIS consortium attempted to obtain the management of six state-owned cluster bus companies, but failed to make the necessary payments running into more than Rs. 1.4 billion, before the due date.

The government had signed a contract with the consortium but two CTB employees had filed a case against the take over of the management of the cluster companies due to the payments not being made.

The lawyer for the petitioners canvassed the cancellation of the tender on grounds of non-payment of two instalments. The receipts of payment were not tabled to court and did not form part of evidence led either by the consortium or the Treasury.

Representations were made on behalf of the Treasury Secretary, Attorney General and PERC.

Sex abuse case against monk tomorrow
The next hearing in a case where a monk was charged with sexually abusing at least nine children will be taken up at the Galle Magistrate's Court tomorrow.

The monk has allegedly sexually abused inmates of a children's home within the temple for about a year.

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