Exiled journalists who return will be offered protection

In a meeting with a CPJ delegation today, Sri Lankan Attorney General Mohan Peiris said he was prepared to offer protection to any of the nation’s journalists who return to the country from exile. MORE...

March 11, 2010  07:57 am|Comments (12)

End witch hunt against media and NGOs, urge HRW, AI

(New York) - The Sri Lankan government should end its harassment of journalists and activists and take steps against those making threats, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International said in a joint statement today. READ MORE...

March 11, 2010  08:17 am|Comments (8)

No water at Cardiology Unit, Colombo: Problem rectified, says Director

The Cardiology Unit of the National Hospital in Colombo has been inconvenienced by the unavailability of water since yesterday (March 10) and several operations had been cancelled due to it, a relative of a patient who had visited the Unit at 6.30 am today told Adaderana. READ MORE....

March 11, 2010  08:34 am|Comments (1)

VIDEO: Legal expert team led by Former CJ to counter Fonseka allegations

A team of legal experts including Former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva are working towards legal countering the allegation against Rtd. Gen. Sarath Fonseka and his detention, JVP MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said at a press briefing today. MORE...

March 11, 2010  12:17 pm|Comments (10)

Advise State media to be impartial, SC directs Attorney General

The Supreme Court this morning (March 10) directed the Attorney General to advise the State media to be impartial when broadcasting news and or programmes during the run-up to the General Elections. READ MORE....

March 11, 2010  12:42 pm|Comments (3)

Largest ever heroin bust from Chilaw

The largest haul of heroin ever to be nabbed in Sri Lanka was reported last night by Police from Muthupanthiya, Chilaw, Police spokesman told Ada Derana. He added that over 40 kgs of heroin were discovered after a tip-off to police by a man who was arrest at the airport on March 6 for possession of heroin. MORE...

March 11, 2010  01:35 pm|Comments (0)

Hillary, Miliband are Moon’s puppeteers, says Champika R.

USA’s Hillary Clinton and Britain’s David Miliband are the people from behind who are pulling the strings for United Nations Secretary General Ban-ki Moon, said Environment Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka this morning. READ MORE...

March 11, 2010  02:18 pm|Comments (0)

Sri Lanka cricket captain Sangakkara to energize Viva

Viva, a brand of GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare - Sri Lanka, (part of, GlaxoSmithKline PLC.) recently announced its renewed partnership with Sri Lanka cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara, at a media conference held in Colombo.

March 11, 2010  02:55 pm|Comments (0)

VIDEO: Fonseka Court Martial on March 16 at Navy HQ

Rtd. Gen. Sarath Fonseka will be brought before a Court Martial on March 16 and 17. The Court Martial comprises a three member panel. The Court Martial will take place at the Navy Headquarters, Colombo 1. MORE...

March 11, 2010  03:47 pm|Comments (0)

Sri Lanka Telecom Summit 2010 closes with outstanding success

With over 200 attendees from around the country present throughout the day, the Sri Lanka Telecom Summit held this week in Colombo provided a great showcase of the country’s dynamic telecommunications market.

March 11, 2010  04:22 pm|Comments (0)

Stylish surprises and special deals as Elephant Reach celebrates 4th Anniversary

It’s time to pop the Champagne at Hotel Elephant Reach, Yala as the property approaches its fourth year anniversary. To mark the occasion, the resort is offering a range of special promotions in celebration of its fourth year anniversary.

March 11, 2010  04:25 pm|Comments (0)

Seylan Bank records Rs. 543.301 Mn. Profit after Tax in 2009

Seylan Bank recorded a Rs. 543.301Mn Profit after Tax for 2009 representing an increase of 250% over the previous financial year. During the same period, the Bank’s cost-to-income ratio showed a marked improvement decreasing from 75.79% to 67.82%.

March 11, 2010  05:31 pm|Comments (0)

CPA raises concern, writes to President over ‘unconfirmed’ media reports

If media reports are true to the effect that state intelligence agencies have been compiling a list or lists of individuals on the basis of perceived or alleged political allegiances, it is cause for serious concern in a number of ways, states a media release from the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA). READ MORE...

March 10, 2010  12:10 am|Comments (16)

India to set up consulate in Jaffna: Indian media

India plans to set up a Consul-General’s office in Jaffna to help the people of the peninsula and fully restore connectivity to south India. Sri Lanka has agreed to the proposal. READ MORE...

March 10, 2010  12:54 am|Comments (15)

Lankan women refugees seek justice

KARUR, India: A group of Sri Lankan women refugees, all inmates of the camp at Rayanur here, gheraoed the Taluk Office here on Monday demanding “justice” to one of the inmates who attempted to end her life on Sunday evening. READ MORE...

March 10, 2010  01:01 am|Comments (0)

‘Visible minorities’ to rise rapidly in Canada

Canada’s ethnic makeup will greatly change in the next 20 years as the number of non-Europeans or “visible minorities” rises to nearly one-third of the population, a government agency said Tuesday. By 2031 it is expected that Canada’s South Asian population including Sri Lankans would more than double to as many as 4.1 million. MORE...

March 10, 2010  08:30 am|Comments (31)

Hakeem to be provided four policemen for security – AG tells SC

SLMC leader Rauff Hakeem will be provided with four policemen for his security, the Attorney General told Supreme Court today. The lawyer representing the government told courts that one sub-inspector, two police sergeants and one Police constable will be given as security. MORE...

March 10, 2010  10:39 am|Comments (9)

First election without an opposition - Maithripala

This will be the first election in history to go ahead without an opposition, SLFP General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena said at a press conference today. He added that the UNP had deteriorated and decayed due to their poor organizational skills. MORE...

March 10, 2010  12:02 pm|Comments (24)

Head of the UK diplomatic service visits Sri Lanka

The Head of the UK Diplomatic Service, Permanent Under Secretary Sir Peter Ricketts visited Sri Lanka on 10 February. During his visit Sir Peter met with the Foreign Minister, government officials, civil society groups, humanitarian agencies and diplomats, the UK High Commission in Colombo said in a statement. MORE...

March 10, 2010  12:44 pm|Comments (14)

VIDEO: High ranking delegation to leave for GSP plus talks

A high ranking Sri Lankan delegation will leave for Brussels on March 15 for talks with the European Union (EU) on the GSP plus trade concession and other issues, Minister G.L Pieris told at a press conference today. MORE...

March 10, 2010  01:06 pm|Comments (14)

Govt. media face dilemma over air time

Government media are facing a dilemma due to the large number of parties and independent groups contesting the upcoming General Elections. According to the Election laws all political parties including independent groups should be allocated 15 minutes of air time on government media. MORE...

March 10, 2010  02:49 pm|Comments (5)

SLAF Cycle race ends

The Sri Lanka Air Force Cycle Race – “Guwan Hanmuda Papedi Sawariya” with Derana concluded today with Dileepa Prabath of the Army clinching the overall championship. The race was an overall 459km long and spread over 3 days. MORE...

March 10, 2010  04:07 pm|Comments (0)

DHL Express opens new Air-side Gateway Facility at BIA

DHL Express today announced the opening of its new Air-side Gateway Facility inside the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake -Terminal 3. The new DHL Gateway in Sri Lanka is one of the best in South Asia having the latest technology and material handling equipments. MORE...

March 10, 2010  04:24 pm|Comments (0)

VIDEO: Ban voices concern about lack of progress on key issues in Sri Lanka

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today expressed concerns about the lack of progress on political reconciliation, the treatment of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the setting up of an accountability process in Sri Lanka. MORE...

March 9, 2010  08:00 am|Comments (22)

Lankan refugee was LTTE ‘agent’

A Sri Lankan refugee being held on Christmas Island with her two young children after ASIO declared her to be a security threat worked for the legal system run by the Tamil Tigers. MORE...

March 9, 2010  08:07 am|Comments (2)

Two underworld members shot dead

Two underworld figures were shot dead in a shootout with police in Kurunegala, Badagamuwa forest reserve, Police spokesman told Ada Derana. The two underworld members were said to be involved in 28 suspected murder cases and 15 criminal acts, the spokesman added. MORE...

March 9, 2010  11:09 am|Comments (6)

Suspended Tissa PS chairman petitions court

A petition moving court to nullify the suspension of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) controlled Tissamaharama Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) by the Chief Minister of the Southern Provincial Council has been filed with the Court of Appeal this morning (March 9). READ MORE....

March 9, 2010  12:55 pm|Comments (2)

Fonseka suspends fast

Rtd. Gen. Sarath Fonseka has suspended the fast unto death as he was allowed to telephone his daughters last night, sources close to the General told Ada Derana. Military Spokesman Maj. Gen. Prasad Samarasinghe yesterdat said that Fonseka has been granted permission to speak to his two daughters over the phone.

March 9, 2010  01:19 pm|Comments (18)

Emergency passed by majority of 69

The state of emergency was passed in Parliament a short while ago with a majority vote of 69. During voting 93 voted for and 24 against. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), United National Party (UNP), Mano ganeshan and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) voted against. READ MORE...

March 9, 2010  01:40 pm|Comments (9)

VIDEO: Some officers were penalized personally by Fonseka - Hulugalla

When Rtd. Gen. Sarath Fonseka was the Commander of the Army he had brought many officers under Court Martial and some of them were penalized personally by him, MCNS Director General Lakshman Hulugalla told in an exclusive interview with Ada Derana. MORE...

March 9, 2010  01:58 pm|Comments (24)