April 20, 2024 5:58 pm
Results: 942
Ukrainian arrested for violating visa rules
A Ukrainian national, believed to have been living in Sri Lanka illegally and violating visa laws, has been detained at the detention camp in Mirihana. MORE..
Five fishermen arrested for engaging in illegal fishing
The Navy has arrested 5 fishermen who engaged in illegal fishing activities using explosives in the sea area off South Bar in Mannar. MORE...
ETCA: The Strive Towards Rejuvenated Indo-Lanka Trade
(Feature) Much debate has flared regarding the ETCA between the neighboring countries of India and Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, assumed conspiracies have taken the spotlight on several occasions and Sri Lankans do not appear to be very keen at the prospect of the arrangement that is to be signed. MORE...
Former CJ acquitted and released
Former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayaka has been acquitted and released from the case filed by the Bribery Commission for failure to accurately declare her assets and liabilities. MORE..
Yoshitha, Nishantha and Rohan Weliwita remanded
Yoshitha Rajapaksa, Rohan Weliwita, Nishantha Ranatunga and 2 others have been remanded till February 11th by the Kaduwela Magistrates Court. MORE..
13th Amendment back in the limelight in Sri Lanka
Even as Sri Lanka is preparing to come up with a new Constitution with devolution as one of the key issues, the 13th Amendment, which created provincial councils in the country, is again in the limelight. MORE...
I will save country from drug menace- President
President Maithripala Sirisena says he would save the country and the people from the drug menace, ignoring the income received by the government from the sale of drug and tobacco. MORE...
PM to leave for Switzerland tomorrow
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is due to leave Sri Lanka tomorrow for the World Economic Forum that will be held in Davos-klosters, Switzerland from January 20 to 23. MORE...
Twelve Tamil Nadu fishermen were today arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy when they were fishing near Katchatheevu. MORE...
PM vows to continue development projects
UPDATE: The new government has taken every possible effort to resolve issues with respect to allegations of human rights violations, the Prime Minister says. MORE...
We will not act in haste on war crimes special court - President
The Sri Lankan government would not act “in haste” on the issue of setting up a special court on allegations of violations of human rights in the last stages of the civil war, President Maithiripala Sirisena said on Sunday. MORE...
Cabinet agrees to change Divi Neguma to Samurdhi
The Cabinet of Ministers has agreed to change the Divi Neguma Development Department to Samurdhi Department, co-cabinet spokesman Dr Rajitha Senaratne said. MORE..
Nissanka Senadhipathi arrives at CID
The Chairman of Avant-Garde Security Services, Major (rtd) Nissanka Senadhipathi has arrived at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) a short while ago to give a statement, Police told Ada Derana. MORE..
Police violated human rights of HNDA students – HRC determines
The Human Rights Commission in its report on the police assault on HNDA students holds that the police had violated the human rights of the HNDA students. The Commission hence recommends compensation to be paid to the students by police and disciplinary action taken against those responsible. MORE..
The Sri Lanka Administrative Service Association (SASA) says that it will launch a work-to-rule campaign from tomorrow (3) protesting against budget proposals. MORE..
President thanks MPs who voted for budget
President Maithripala Sirisena has made special appreciation and thanked all Government and opposition MPs who voted in favor of the Budget, the President’s Media Division said. MORE..
UN conference on climate change commences today
The United Nations Conference on Climate Change will commence today (30) in Paris under the patronage of French President Francois Holande. MORE...
Jaya urges Modi to get TN fishermen released from Lanka
Hours after the Sri Lankan Navy arrested eight Tamil Nadu fishermen and seized their two boats, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to secure the release of a total of 37 fishermen and 55 boats, including those held today. MORE...
Eight more Indian fishermen arrested
Eight Indian fishermen have been arrested by the Navy in an early morning action today. MORE...
President to leave for France today
President Maithripala Sirisena who participated in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in Malta, will leave for France today (Nov. 29) to attend the United Nations Conferenceon Climate Change – 2015. MORE...
Common values are important and not the power of wealth – President
President Maithripala Sirisena said he is fully satisfied with the accomplishment of goals set at the last CHOGM in Colombo during the period of last two years when Sri Lanka was the Chair in Office of the Commonwealth. MORE..
Kumar Gunaratnam further remanded
Frontline Socialists Party (FSP) political committee member Premakumar Gunaratnam, who was arrested and remanded for visa violations, has been further remanded till December 11 by the Kegalle Magistrate’s Court. MORE..
Four respondents named in Rakna Lanka case?
Two former Commanders of the Sri Lanka Navy, a former Defence Ministry Additional Secretary and the Chairman of Avant-Garde Security Services have been named as respondents in the case filed over alleged financial fraud at Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Ltd, according to sources. MORE..
No foreign naval bases on SL soil: PM
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that Lanka will not allow other countries to set up naval bases in its territory. MORE...
Rajitha, Champika and Arjuna ask IGP to probe bribery claims
Ministers Champika Ranawaka, Dr Rajitha Seenaratne and Arjuna Ranatunga today requested the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to investigate the allegations made against them by the Chairman of Avant Garde Private Limited, Nissanka Senadhipathi. MORE..
President calls special meeting with SLFP Parliamentary Group
President Maithripala Sirisena will hold a special meeting with the members of Sri Lanka Freedom Party Parliamentary Group at the Presidential Secretariat, today(23). MORE...
Ex-President arrives at PRECIFAC
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived at the Special Presidential Commission to probe large scale corruption to give a statement a short while ago. MORE..
India wants to get back boats as well
The National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) in India has reiterated its demand to the Centre to prevail upon the Sri Lankan government to release 56 boats belonging to Indian fishermen. MORE...
President should not lead parties at LG polls: Gammanpila
There is a strong demand within the parties that President Maithripala Sirisena should not lead the UPFA and the SLFP at forthcoming local government polls, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Leader and Parliamentarian Udaya Gammanpila says. more...
NASA chief: Time to clean up all that space junk
NASA Administrator Charles Bolden warns that too little is being done to remove debris from space, an issue that has drawn plenty of attention this week after an unknown object made a fiery entry into Earth’s atmosphere. MORE...
Sri Lanka to usher in a capital oriented budget: Ravi
Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake said that the Yahapalana Government’s new budget on November 20 will be capital oriented while aiming at higher revenue than recurrent expenditure. MORE...
Deepavali signifies a moment of light overcoming darkness: PM
Deepavali renews hope in our hearts towards the engagement of the human spirit in overcoming evil with the goodness that exist among mankind, the Prime Minister said in his Deepavali Message. MORE...
Tamil prisoners recommence hunger strike
Over 200 Tamil prisoners have yet again commenced their hunger strike in several prisons across the country to protest against being jailed for years without trial. Earlier, they ended the fast following an assurance from President Maithripala Sirisena that their grievances would be addressed. MORE...
President to closely monitor Avant Garde issue: Rajitha
President Maithripala Sirisena will closely monitor the investigations with respect to the Avant Garde Security Service issue, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Rajitha Senaratne says. MORE...
Sri Lanka to release 126 Indian fishermen on Monday
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All the 126 Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan custody will be released by courts in the island nation on Monday. The Sri Lankan government has already issued release orders to the fisheries department, according to the Times of India news agency. MORE...
Marapana explains reasons behind his resignation
Explaining his stance on the decision to resign from his post as the Minister of Law and Order, Tilak Marapana asserts the conduct of the operations at the Avant Garde Security Service were legal. MORE...
Estate workers to get loans for Deepavali
The government will provide a loan of Rs 3,500 for estate workers for the Deepavali festival in addition to the Rs 6,500 salary advance, Minister of Plantation Industries Navin Dissanayake says. MORE..
JVP activist wins case against police
A JVP activist on Thursday (05) won a lawsuit against the police department who claimed his fundamental rights were breached with the police had arrested him on the charges of displaying a banner which contained a message criticising the former President during the last Presidential election. MORE...
Legal hurdles hold up release of fishermen
Legal hurdles both in Sri Lanka and India are apparently holding up the release of 120 Tamil Nadu fishermen and 34 Lankan fishermen currently in detention in Lanka and India respectively. MORE...
Anura hospitalised following a brief illness
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been admitted to the Sri Jayawardenapura Hospital following a brief illness, the hospital Director said. MORE...
Navy arrests five more TN fishermen
Sri Lankan Navy arrested five Tamil Nadu fishermen today and seized their boat on charges of crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line and fishing in their waters. MORE...
President Sirisena to leave for Thailand today
President Maithripala Sirisena will undertake an Official visit to the Kingdom of Thailand from November 01 to 04, on the invitation of the Prime Minister of Thailand, General Prayuth Chan-o-Cha. MORE...
Sri Lankan tourists hurt as tour bus plunges into ditch in Thailand
Twenty-two people, mainly Sri Lankan tourists, were hurt when their tour bus overturned into a ditch in Ratchaburi’s Photharam district on Thursday afternoon. MORE...
120 Indian fishermen to be released in “next few days”
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The Sri Lankan government has said that it will release “in the next few days” the 120 Tamil Nadu fishermen in its custody in return for the release of 36 Lankan fishermen held by India. MORE...
Sri Lanka condoles with quake victims in Afghanistan
The Sri Lanka Government has said it was deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and destruction to property caused by the devastating earthquake in the Hindukush region of Afghanistan on Monday which also affected parts of India and Pakistan. MORE...
No common amnesty for fasting Tamil prisoners: Mano
There will be no common amnesty for over 200 prisoners, mostly Tamils, who staged a hunger strike in jails throughout the country, the Sri Lankan government said today. MORE...
Top US official on women’s issues in Sri Lanka
Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues at the US State Department, Catherine Russell is on travel to Sri Lanka October 28 – 29. MORE...
Lionel Fernando resigns from HRCSL
Lionel Fernando has resigned from the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) due to personal reasons, a source said. MORE...
Govt. obliged to safeguard dignity and pride of tri-forces: President
When facing allegations of war crimes, the government will take it as an obligation to safeguard the dignity and the pride of the tri-forces, President Maithripala Sirisena says. MORE...
Indian Coast Guard arrests 29 Sri Lankans
Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Prahari apprehended two Sri Lankan trawlers namely Holy Cross III and VI along with 29 Sri Lankan nationals in Lakshadweep waters for poaching of endangered marine species, sea cucumber. MORE...
President Sirisena to strengthen Thai– Sri Lanka relations
President Maithripala Sirisena will undertake an Official visit to the Kingdom of Thailand from November 01 to 04, on the invitation of the Prime Minister of Thailand, General Prayuth Chan-o-Cha. MORE...
Sri Lanka mulls imposing heavy fines on Indian poachers
Sri Lanka is mulling imposing fines as high as 150 million rupees on Indian fishermen poaching in the country’s waters, officials said. MORE...
Sri Lanka to release 86 Tamil Nadu fishermen on October 28
Eighty-six Tamil Nadu fishermen, who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in the past two months, would be released on October 28, the Indian government has said today. MORE...
UNP Provincial Councilor Tissa Bandara arrested
UNP Central Provincial Councilor Tissa Bandara has been arrested for allegedly assaulting an individual at the Dambulla Economic Centre, the police say. MORE...
Paranagama report far worse than UN report – Rajitha
The government today said that the resolution adopted at the UN Human Rights Council on Sri Lanka would have been much more severe if the Paranagama report had been released before the session in Geneva. MORE..
Parliamentary programme for the Budget 2016 amended
The parliamentary programme for the Budget 2016 which was approved at the Cabinet of Ministers has been amended according to a proposal made by Ravi Karunanayake, Minister of Finance. MORE...
Dilan admires JVP for its stance on US-sponsored resolution
State Minister Dilan Perera on Thursday (22) admired Sri Lanka’s leftist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) for maintaining a clear stance on the US-sponsored resolution that was adopted at the recently concluded UN Human Rights Council Sessions in Geneva. MORE...
President convenes an all-party meeting today
President Maithripala Sirisena has called for an all-party meeting today (22) in a bid discuss the steps to be taken on the US-sponsored resolution that was adopted at the recently concluded UN Human Rights Council Sessions in Geneva. MORE...
UN Assistant Secretary-General to visit Sri Lanka
United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Mr. Miroslav Jenča, will be visiting Sri Lanka today (21) on a four-day official visit. MORE..
Vavuniya DIG case: President requests report on missing cop
President Maithripala Sirisena has issued a directive to the IGP to expedite the investigation in connection with the disappearance case of a police Sergeant who was a witness in the case in which several top cops including a DIG are suspected of allegedly involved in a treasure hunting incident in Vavuniya. MORE...
Sajin gets permission to go to Singapore
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (20) allowed former UPFA MP Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, whose passport was earlier seized, to go to Singapore for medical treatments. MORE...
President lauds Airforce’s contribution for National Security
“The Sri Lanka Air Force, demonstrating its specific skills, weakened the enemy by attacking them directly when the Army and Navy were facing difficult situations in the operation to eradicate LTTE terrorism in the last few decades”, said President Maithripala Sirisena. MORE...
Sri Lanka to allow Chinese submarines to visit, inform neighbours
Sri Lanka will allow future submarine visits by China provided they are not too frequent, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said underlining that the mistrust with India in the past could have been avoided if it had been kept in the picture about the dockings. MORE...
India, Sri Lanka fisherfolk want to Meet Jaya
An Indo-Sri Lankan team of fishermen is all set to seek a meeting with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, J Jayalalithaa, to resolve the long standing and irksome issue of fishing in the Palk Strait. MORE...
Tamil prisoners end hunger strike
Over 200 Tamil political prisoners, who were on hunger strike in Sri Lanka to protest against being jailed for years without trial, today ended their fast following an assurance from President Maithripala Sirisena that their grievances would be addressed. MORE...
Three customs officials nabbed while accepting largest ever bribe of Rs. 125m
Three customs officials were arrested a short while ago while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs. 125 million, the Director General of the Bribery Commission confirmed. MORE..
Jayalalithaa writes again to PM Modi, fishers arrest by Navy rises to 87
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take up at the highest political level the arrest of fishermen from the state by Sri Lanka and said the number of those apprehended has now gone up to 87 besides their 39 boats. MORE...
Prime Minister to visit Singapore today
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will leave for Singapore today (15) on a two day official tour, the Government Information Department announced. MORE...
Term of 23 LG bodies extended till Dec 31
The term of 21 Local Government bodies which was set to end tomorrow and two LG bodies to end term on October 31 have been extended till December 31, Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Faiszer Musthapha said. MORE..
Navy arrests nine more Indian fishermen
The Sri Lankan navy on Wednesday apprehended nine Tamil Nadu fishermen and their boat on charges of trespassing into the territorial waters of the island nation, marine police sources at Mandapam in India has said. MORE...
FCID probes ex-security forces’ chiefs who held diplomatic posts
The Police Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) has commenced investigations regarding five former diplomats, including four ex-security forces commanders, for allegedly engaging in political activities while attached to Sri Lankan missions abroad. MORE..
Wimal praises Russia’s role in confronting ISIS
Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa has praised the Russian Government and the Russian Forces over its military invention in destroying the ISIS/ISIL terrorist strongholds in Syria. MORE...
Indian Coast Guard arrest 5 Sri Lankan fishermen and boat
A Sri Lankan fishing boat along with the 5 crew on board was apprehended by the Indian Coast Guard Ship Rajveer off Vakalapudi coast with 700 kg of fish on Tuesday. MORE..
CID gets detention order to question Pillayan
The Colombo Chief Magistrate today (14) allowed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to detain former Chief Minister of the Eastern Province Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan for questioning till November 04. MORE...
India must act on arrests of fishermen, says Jayalalithaa
India cannot be a mute spectator when Sri Lanka continues to violate the rights of Indian fishermen, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has said in Chennai. MORE...
Court of Appeal extends stay order on full-face helmets
The Court of Appeal on Tuesday (13) further extended the stay order issued against the circular imposing a ban on full-face helmets. MORE...
Navy arrests 24 Indian fishermen
The Sri Lankan Navy on Tuesday arrested 24 Indian fishermen arrested and also seized four boats near Gulf of Mannar. MORE...
Third India-Sri Lanka joint training exercise culminates
The third Indo-Lanka Joint Training Exercise ‘Mitra Shakti’ focusing on counter- terrorism and insurgency operations culminated in India. MORE...
Rajapaksa govt. turned a blind eye to corruption: Patali
Majority of the people sought a regime change in a bid to put a full stop to corruption of the previous government, Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka says. MORE...
Fisherworkers forum urges Modi to find permanent solution to fishermen issue
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Indian National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) has requested Prime Minster Narendra Modi to use diplomatic channels to hold dialogue with neighbouring countries including Sri Lanka, who arrest, attack and incarcerate Indian fishermen, the New Indian Express news agency reported. MORE...
CID detains Pillayan for further questioning
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is interrogating former Chief Minister of the Eastern Province Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan under a detention order, the police say. MORE...
Police seek public help in Lasantha’s case
The police headquarters today (08) announced it seek public help to identify the suspects involved in the controversial murder of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge. MORE...
Indian fishermen protest against Lanka
The fishermen of Rameswaram island in India and the family members of a missing fisherman have observed fast here, urging the authorities to trace him who went missing after the boat he was in sank on the high seas, and protesting against Sri Lankan navy. MORE...
Talks on with Tamil parties: Ranil
The Sri Lankan government has begun “informal discussions” with the Tamil National Alliance and other parties on a political solution to the ethnic conflict, according to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. MORE...
Four soldiers sentenced in Vishvamadu rape case
The Jaffna High Court today sentenced four Sri Lankan soldiers to 25 years in prison for raping a women and sexually abusing another in Vishvamadu, Mullaitivu in 2010. MORE..
Sri Lanka to use foreign missions to promote trade, investment
The new government on Wednesday said it will use its diplomatic missions overseas to promote the country’s trade, investment and businesses. MORE...
The Colombo High Court today (07) granted bail to Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the former President and Anusha Palpita, former Chairman of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRC). MORE...
Ex-DIG, Chief Inspector further remanded
Former Vavuniya DIG U.K. Dissanayake and a Chief Inspector who were arrested in connection with an incident of illegal excavations carried out in the Kudakachchakodiya area have been further remanded until October 21 by the Vavuniya Magistrate’s Court today (07). MORE...
Sri Lanka again asks NTPC to shift power plant location: Report
Sri Lanka has reportedly asked India to change the location of a stalled US$500 million power project to be built by NTPC Ltd, the India Info Line news agency reported today. This is the second time that Sri Lanka has made the request for change of location for this project. The first was in 2007. MORE...
Japan promises PM infrastructure, maritime aid
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged aid to Sri Lanka on Tuesday in a meeting with his counterpart, Ranil Wickremsinghe, and reiterated a promise to help Sri Lanka bolster its maritime security and to provide patrol ships. MORE...
Finance Minister leaves for Peru to attend IMF annual meeting
Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake left the Island to attend the 2015 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund which will take place in Lima, Peru, from October 9-11. MORE...
Vigneswaran says he has faith on President Sirisena
Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Vigneswaran says he has hope and confident that President Maithripala Sirisena will achieve peace and prosperity.
Sampath Athukorala released on bail
Southern Provincial Councilor Sampath Athukorala, who was in custody for allegedly uploading obscene posts on President Maithripala Sirisena on the internet, was released on bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate today. MORE...
Place your money in Sri Lanka - Ravi
Sri Lanka’s Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake has invited Sri Lankans and Indians who had to take back their deposits from banks in Switzerland to place their funds in Sri Lanka. MORE...
Jaya seeks Modi’s help to get TN fishermen freed
Accusing Sri Lanka of intimidating Indian fishermen through repeated arrests to prevent them from venturing into their traditional fishing waters in the Palk Bay, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa drew the attention of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to yet another incident of arrest of fishermen by the island navy on October 1. MORE...
Prime Minister to address the Japanese Parliament tomorrow
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasingh who is on an official visit to Japan was received by Sri Lanka Ambassador in Japan Professor Dhammika Ganganath Dissanayake at the Kansai Airport. MORE...
All-party conference to discuss solutions to rights issue - President
President Maithripala Sirisena today said that the country had achieved a great victory at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) as the international community expressed high appreciation of the steps taken by the government since January. MORE..
President arrives after concluding US visit
President Maithripala Sirisena arrived in the country a short while ago after concluding his visit the United States to attend the UN General Assembly in New York. MORE..
SL is pleased to join as co-sponsor of the resolution: Ambassador Ravinatha
We see the resolution on the island nation as a measure of encouraging and inspiring the government of Sri Lanka, delivering his remarks during the general debate on the report of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Sri Lanka, Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha said. MORE...
Chairman of Missing Persons’ Panel rebuts Zeid
Responding to the UN Human Rights High Commissioner Prince Zeid’s call to disband the Sri Lankan Missing Persons’ Commission and assign its work to a more credible body, the chairman of the panel, Justice Maxwell Paranagama, contended that nobody else can do the job better. MORE..
Sampath Athukorala remanded over obscene FB post
The Colombo Chief Magistrate today ordered Southern Provincial Council member Sampath Athukorala to be remanded till October 05, for allegedly uploading defamatory posts on President Maithripala Sirisena on the internet. MORE..
President congratulates Nepal on new constitution
Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minster Prakash Man Singh and Sri Lankan President Maitripala Sirisena held a meeting in New York on Wednesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. MORE..
New plan of action to advance human rights: President Sirisena
We intend to implement a new programme and plan of action in Sri Lanka to advance human rights, President Maithripala Sirisena said at the General Assembly of the United Nations during the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly Meeting held at the UN Headquarters. MORE...
Sri Lanka can finally break cycle of impunity: Zeid
Introducing the debate on the report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ Investigation into Sri Lanka (OISL) at the UNHRC’s 30th session on Wednesday, the High Commissioner, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, asserted that since January 2015 space has significantly opened up for freedom of expression, at least in Colombo. MORE...
Sri Lankan govt urged to release all Tamil Nadu fishermen
India’s National Fish Workers Forum (NFF) today urged the Sri Lankan government to immediately release the seven Tamil Nadu fishermen who were arrested by the Sri Lankan navy on charges of fishing in their waters on Monday. MORE..
Ex-Vavuniya DIG further remanded
Former Vavuniya DIG U.K. Dissanayake, who was arrested in connection with an incident of illegal excavations carried out in the Kudakachchakodiya area, has been further remanded until October 07 by the Vavuniya Magistrate’s Court. MORE..
U.S. supports a credible domestic process in Sri Lanka - Kerry
The U.S. has said it will support a domestic investigation by Sri Lanka to address allegations of human rights abuses during the final phase of the country’s civil war. MORE..
Akila vows 6% of GDP for education
The Education Minister vowed a gradual allocation of 6% of GDP for Education. The observation was made at a press conference held in Colombo on Monday (28). MORE...
India’s NFF seeks lasting solution to fishing row with Lanka
Thanking the India’s Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for helping arrive at a decision to not shoot fishermen at sea, during talks with Sri Lanka, the National Fishworkers’ Forum has requested him to consult Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and find a permanent solution to all the issues faced by the fisherfolk. MORE...
India, Sri Lanka to hold third joint army exercise
The Indian and Sri Lankan armies will be conducting their third joint military exercise Mitra Shakti-2015, starting September 29, said a statement issued in New Delhi today, according to the NDTV news agency. MORE...
President assures sustainable development by 2030
President Maithripala Sirisena speaking at the UN Sustainable Development Summit 2015 assured that the Government of Sri Lanka anticipates achieving sustainable development by 2030. MORE...
India refloats plan for lanka port
With a friendlier government now at the helm in Colombo, India has revived its plan to develop a port in Sri Lanka, hoping to catch up with the Chinese, the New India Express news agency reported today. MORE...
Aust co-sponsors Sri Lanka resolution
Australia has co-sponsored a reconciliation resolution to the United Nations with the Sri Lankan government. MORE...
War crimes in Sri Lanka: Jaya urged to convene all-party meeting
Indian PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss on Thursday urged Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa to convene an all-party meeting to exert pressure on the Centre to bring out a resolution in the UNHRC, seeking international probe into the alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka, the Times of India news agency reported. MORE...
Indian fishermen protest against Lankan navy
Fishermen of Nambiyar Nagar in Nagapattinam district in India has gone on an indefinite strike, seeking the intervention of State and Central governments to secure the release of 15 fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy, The Hindu Newspaper reported. MORE...
Wigneswaran welcomes UN proposal to set up hybrid court
The Chief Minister of Sri Lanka’s Tamil-dominated Northern Province has welcomed the UNHRC’s proposal to set up a hybrid court to probe the alleged war crimes during the last phase of the conflict with the LTTE, saying it is a dramatic step towards achieving reconciliation. MORE...
UN war crimes report soft pedals LTTE’s using human shield: G.L.
Former Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Prof.G.L.Peiris has said that the report of the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights on “war crimes” in Lanka has soft pedaled the LTTE’s using civilians as a human shield, when it is a war crime under international humanitarian law. MORE...
President orders Avant Garde case to continue
President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed relevant authorities to continue with legal proceeding regarding the controversial Avant Garde issue, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Rajitha Senaratne said. MORE..
High Court grants bail to Sajin Vass
The Colombo High Court on Wednesday granted bail to former UPFA MP Sajin de Vass Gunawardena who is in custody for allegedly misusing vehicles belonging to the President Secretariat Office. MORE...
President to address the 70th UN General Assembly on Sep. 30
President Maithripala Sirisena will address the General Assembly of the United Nations on September 30, during the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly Meeting, held at the UN Headquarters, New York, USA from September 15 to October 04. MORE...
President intervenes on behalf of Wijeweera’s family
President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed relevant authorities to allow the family of the late Rohana Wijeweera, founding leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), to stay six more months at a house belonging to the Welisara navy camp. MORE..
Former UPFA Parliamentarian Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, who was arrested for allegedly misusing vehicles belonging to the President Secretariat Office, has been further remanded until October 6 by the Fort Magistrate’s Court, today (08). MORE...
Sri Lanka declares a ‘Maritime and Naval Week’
The Government declared the period between September 21 to 27 as the week of maritime and naval activities in Sri Lanka, the Government Information Department announced today.
Lankan High Commissioner calls on Bangladesh Foreign Minister
Newly appointed Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Bangladesh Yasoja Gunasekera has paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali. They discussed issues of mutual interest, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry has said. MORE...
Death toll in final phase was not 40,000, says Justice Paranagama
Justice Maxwell Paranagama, Chairman of the Sri Lankan Commission on missing persons and war crimes, has said that the death toll in the final phase of Eelam War IV was not 40,000, as claimed in the 2011 report of the Panel of Experts appointed by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, but probably a little above 7,000. MORE...
Sri Lanka fishermen reject talk offer by Indian counterparts
Sri Lankan fishing community representatives in Colombo have rejected a request by their Indian counterparts to visit them to discuss their issues, including poaching.MORE...
$5.19 billion road project to begin by October
Keen on fostering ties with neighbours, India is set to engage in high-level talks with Sri Lanka by October for an ambitious $5.19 billion road project to connect both the nations through a sea-bridge and an underwater tunnel, the Press Trust of India news agency reported. MORE...
UN group on missing to visit Sri Lanka in November
The United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances will visit Sri Lanka from from November 9 to 18. The announcement was made at the UN Human Rights Council which is meeting for its 30th session in Geneva. MORE...
German foreign minister to arrive on Tuesday
Germany’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier is to arrive in Sri Lanka on Tuesday (22) for an official visit, the foreign ministry said. MORE..
Sri Lanka has given approval for SAARC satellite project
Sri Lanka has given its approval for SAARC satellite project, one of the mandatory requirements for ITU registration before the launch even as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) waits for nod from other countries. MORE..
No discussions on CEPA: says PM, President
The President and the Prime Minister have yet again assured that discussions on a trade agreement entitled Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was not held during PM’s visit to India earlier this week. MORE..
Capital punishment if Parliament approves - President
President Maithripala Sirisena says that he expects to implement capital punishment in Sri Lanka next year, if the Parliament gives consent. MORE..
Indian Court dismisses appeal filed by Sri Lankan fishermen
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An Indian High Court has dismissed a criminal appeal filed by 10 Sri Lankan fishermen, who were convicted of fishing in Indian waters without permission in 2006, after it was informed that they had gone back to their country after serving the entire sentence period in prison. MORE...
Govt at risk of claims by Chinese port city project - document
Sri Lanka would be exposed to the risk of claims from the firm managing a suspended Chinese-backed real estate project if the government fails to obtain approvals needed by the project within 60 days, a government document showed on Thursday. MORE..
Sri Lanka’s domestic mechanism to be finalised by January
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera says that the setting up of a four-tier domestic mechanism to investigate allegations of human rights violations will be finalised by January 2016 and implemented within 18 months. MORE..
MP Udayashantha Gunasekara hospitalised
UPFA MP Padma Udayashantha Gunasekara has been hospitalized due to a sudden illness while participating in a protest in the Monaragala area today. MORE..
TNA wants UN probe recommendations in next resolution
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) today said that it welcomes the report of the investigation conducted by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OISL) and its recommendations. MORE..
Govt assures due attention to UN report
The Sri Lankan Government today said it will ensure that the content and recommendations of the UNHRC report receive due attention of the relevant authorities including the new mechanisms that are envisaged to be set up. MORE..
Keheliya, PB and Lalith grilled at Presidential CoI
Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, former Finance Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera and former Secretary to the President Lalith Weerathunga have been questioned today regarding Rs 200 million in losses incurred by a state media institution during the Presidential Election. MORE..
Sri Lanka promises justice after UN war crimes report
Sri Lanka promised to deliver justice after a United Nations human rights report called on Wednesday for a special court to be set up to prosecute war crimes committed during the nation’s 26-year civil conflict. MORE..
MP Chathura Senaratne issued notice
The Negombo Magistrate’s Court has issued notice on UNP Gampaha District MP Chathura Senaratne for allegedly threatening a group of individuals in custody at the Ragama Police Station. MORE..
NZ welcomes reconciliation moves in Sri Lanka
New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully has welcomed the Sri Lankan Government’s announcement it will establish a Truth & Reconciliation Commission to help the country recover from its decades-long civil war. MORE...
UN report contains legal analysis and recommendations
UN report on Sri Lanka will focus on human rights violations from 2002 to 2011, and it will contain legal analysis and recommendations, it was reported. MORE...
Tamils reject govt’s wartime truth commission, demand international inquiry?
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Sri Lanka’s minority Tamils has rejected government plans for a truth commission to promote reconciliation after decades of ethnic war, insisting on an international inquiry, the AFP news agency reported. MORE...
Government holds a double standard: Gammanpila
The government holds a double standard in dealing with the international community and the public with respect to the probe on alleged war crimes investigation, leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Udaya Gammanpila says. MORE...
Looking at power sharing and devolution within a unity state: PM
“We are looking at how power sharing and devolution take place within the Constitution, with in a unity state,” Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe says. MORE...
Modi must press for international probe: Ramadoss
Indian MP and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stress on his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe for an international judicial probe into the alleged war crimes in the island nation during the final stages of the civil war. MORE...
PM begins three-day visit to India
On the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe left for an official visit to India from September 14 to 16. MORE...
Australian prime minister ousted after party vote
Australia’s beleaguered prime minister has been ousted from his position by an internal government challenge, and the party’s former leader has been elected to replace him. MORE...
No evidence of IS operations in Sri Lanka: defense secretary
The government says that there was no evidence to back claims that the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group was operating in the island nation. Defense Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi said while there were reports of a Sri Lankan man joining the IS, there was no concrete evidence to suggest the group was operating in Sri Lanka. MORE...
New constitution, amendments to penal code; steps to create a new Sri Lanka: Mangala
“The best guarantee for non-recurrence is of course a political settlement that addresses the grievances of the Tamil people. We hope that we can achieve this through the adoption of a new Constitution,” Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said. MORE...
New Provincial Council Ministers sworn-in
New Ministers of the North Western Provincial Council took oath before President Maithripala Sirisena today (14). MORE...
Mangala holds talks with UN rights chief
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera and Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapakse have held discussions with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein. MORE...
Sri Lanka to release 16 Indian fishermen ahead of PM’s visit
Sri Lanka today said it will release 16 Indian fishermen, arrested recently for allegedly poaching in its waters, in a “goodwill gesture” ahead of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to India, his first foreign trip after winning last month’s polls. MORE...
Body of missing 5-year-old girl found
The Police today (13) discovered the body of the 5-year-old girl who went missing from her home at Kotadeniyawa in Divulapitiya. A search operation was launched after a complaint was received by police stating that the 5-year-old girl had gone missing from her home, on Saturday. MORE...
Egypt govt quits in wake of corruption scandal
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi Saturday accepted the resignation of the government after it was rocked by a corruption scandal, and tasked the oil minister with forming a new cabinet. MORE..
5-year-old girl reported missing
A complaint has been received by police that a 5-year-old girl has gone missing from her home at Kotadeniyawa in Divulapitiya. MORE..
Ex-Principal gets 15 years RI for murdering mistress
A former school principal who was found guilty of shooting and killing his mistress in Habarana has been sentenced to 15 years rigorous imprisonment by the Anuradhapura High Court. MORE..
Two more Deputy Ministers appointed
Two more Deputy Ministers have been sworn in before President Maithripala Sirisena on Thursday. MORE..
Our government is stable: President
President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday (09) asserted not to expect a Government change till 2020. MORE...
Acid attack on Ayurvedic Commissioner: Court summons accused
Three accused, who were indicted following the acid attack on the former Ayurvedic Commissioner of the North Central Province, have been summoned to appear in the Anuradhapura High Court on November 11. MORE...
Sri Lankan man jailed for killing disabled friend
A Sri Lankan man has been jailed by a British court for killing his housebound friend by punching him in the head when he was in bed. MORE..
New State and Deputy Ministers sworn in
(UPDATED) The swearing in ceremony of State and Deputy Ministers of the National Government commenced a short while ago at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo. MORE..
Tax on imported sugar, potatoes revised
The special commodity levy imposed on imported sugar has been increased by Rs 12 per kilogram while the levy on potatoes has been increased by Rs 10 per kilogram, the Finance Ministry said. MORE..
President, PM appoint their nominees to the CC
The Prime Minister and the President on Wednesday (09) appointed their nominees to the Constitutional Council. Accordingly, Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka and Wijedasa Rajapakse have been appointed to the CC respectively. MORE...
Three new Cabinet Ministers sworn in
Three new Cabinet Ministers were sworn in before President Maithripala Sirisena short while ago, the Presidential Media Division said. MORE..
Sarana Gunawardena released on bail
Former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena, who was in custody for allegedly assaulting a person, has been released on bail by the Gampaha Magistrate on Wednesday (09) morning. MORE...
Sri Lanka eyes more Chinese tourists for more forex
Sri Lanka is eyeing more Chinese tourists to the island nation as the new government is aiming to make tourism as the top foreign exchange earner, a cabinet minister said. MORE...
44 Ministerial Secretaries appointed
The appointing of 44 Secretaries for the new Ministries took place today at the Presidential Secretariat with the participation of Secretary to the President P.B. Abeykoon. MORE..
UPFA Parliamentarian Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, who was arrested for allegedly misusing vehicles belonging to the President Secretariat Office, has been further remanded until September 22 by the Fort Magistrate’s Court, today (08). MORE...
Dullas grilled at Presidential Commission of Inquiry
UPFA Parliamentarian Dullas Alahapperuma has been summoned by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate serious acts of fraud, corruption and abuse of power, state resources, and privileges. MORE..
HRC’s sitting on Sri Lanka fixed on Sept 30
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A report on alleged human rights violations in Sri Lanka during the Eelam War is likely to be presented on September 30 during the 30th session of the United Human Rights Council. MORE...
No decision to dissolve Bribery Commission: PMU
A decision has not been taken to dissolve the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, the President’s Media Unit says. MORE...
Why Sri Lanka has done a China-style ‘managed float’
Sri Lanka’s central bank is allowing the local rupee to become more market-oriented but like Bejing, it has shied away from turning the currency into a true free float. MORE...
Dayasiri vows to implement National Sports Policy
The National Sports Policy of Sri Lanka will be implemented within the next two years in a bid to strengthen and develop the sports industry, Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara says. MORE...
President Sirisena reveals secrets behind January polls
President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday (6) revealed that he was alerted by his security not to attend the last election rally held in Maradana prior the presidential polls in January. MORE...
No place for racism anymore: Mano
There will be no place for racism in our country anymore, Minister of National Dialog Mano Ganesan asserts. MORE...
‘Viber, not India, helped in unseating Rajapaksa’: CBK
Former Sri Lankan president Chandrika Bandarnaike Kumaratunga is in India for her first visit since the surprise defeat of her successor Mahinda Rajapaksa, a man who was once a close associate and now a political enemy whose regime she was instrumental in overturning. MORE...
UAE Foreign Minister calls on President Sirisena
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nayhan has called on President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. MORE...
UNP celebrates 69th anniversary today
The 69th anniversary of the United National Party (UNP) is currently being held under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe at the party headquarters in Sirikotha. MORE...
Massive killings if Mahinda returned to power - CBK
Mahinda Rajapaksa during his tenure as the President of Sri Lanka ran a police state and if he was successful in returning to power as Prime Minister in recent parliamentary polls the country would have experienced massive killings of innocents, according to former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. MORE..
Committee to decide on heads for public institutions - President
President Maithripala Sirisena today stated that a “common committee” will be appointed by himself and the Prime Minister to ensure that the most suitable individuals are selected for the top posts in government institutions. MORE..
(UPDATED) The swearing in ceremony of the new Cabinet of the National Government commenced at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, a short while ago. MORE..
JVP nominates Bimal Ratnayake as NL MP
(Audio) The JVP has nominated Bimal Ratnayake as a National List MP for the seat vacated due to the resignation of S. Mayadunne, JVP Secretary Tilvin Silva told Ada Derana. MORE..
EU ready to partner with Sri Lanka to face challenges
The European Union (EU) today stressed that it truly remains committed to supporting a healthy democracy and looks forward to partnering with the Sri Lankan government to address some of the “challenges” it faces. MORE..
Atapattu resigns as Sri Lanka cricket coach
Marvan Atapattu has resigned as head coach of the Sri Lanka cricket team while his resignation has been accepted by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). MORE..
Notices issued to Mattala airport protesters
The Tissamaharama Magistrate’s Court on Thursday (03) issued notices on several persons including the former Chairman of the Lunugamwehera Pradeshiya Sabha for allegedly being a part of a protest held outside the Mattala Mahinda Rajapaksa International Airport yesterday. MORE...
Anura proposed for the post of Chief Opposition Whip
The name of JVP Leader and Colombo District MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been proposed for the post of Chief Opposition Whip, a source said. MORE..
Don’t act like monkeys, says PM
The decision on the opposition leader post sparked uproar in parliament when Colombo district MP Wimal Weerawansa this morning (3) questioned the government on the validity of the new appointment. MORE...
Mayadunne resigns from parliamentary seat
JVP National List MP and former Auditor General S. Mayadunne says he will resign from his parliamentary seat after making a special statement in Parliament today. MORE..
Sri Lankan fishermen want resumption of talks
Maintaining that Indian fishermen were arrested by Sri Lankan Navy only when they fished deep into the island territory, a Sri Lankan fishermen leader today urged both nations to hold talks to resolve the issue of fishing rights in the Palk Strait. MORE..
Petition seeks revocation of UPFA National List MPs appointments
A petition has been filed at the Supreme Court requesting to revoke the appointments of the UPFA MPs who got elected to the Parliament through the National List, Ada Derana Court reporter says. MORE...
My journey is slow, but no turning back – President
President Maithripala Sirisena today said that the time has come to subject the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to complete reorganization and to build it under a fresh image. MORE..
Indian Goverment should act tough on Sri Lanka: Vasan
The Indian Government should act tough and put an end to the attacks and arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, Indian Tamil Manila Congress leader G. K. Vasan has said. MORE...
SLFP celebrates 64th anniversary today
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) will hold its 64th Anniversary commemoration in Polonnaruwa today under the patronage of party leader President Maithripala Sirisena. MORE..
Push Sri Lanka not to arrest fishermen - Jayalalithaa
Bringing to the notice of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yet another incident of arrest of Tamil Nadu fishermen by the Lankan Navy, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Tuesday urged him to take immediate steps to release the 16 fishermen and their boats. MORE..
President vows actions against those who misused state resources
Those who misused state resources will be brought before the law irrespective of party, President Maithripala Sirisena says. MORE...
Sajin’s assets case postponed to December 10
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday (1) set the trial for former UPFA MP Sajin de Vass Gunawardena in connection with the case filed against him by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. The case will be taken up for hearing on December 10. MORE...
Stay order on full-face helmets extended
The Court of Appeal on Tuesday (1) further extended the stay order issued against the circular imposing a ban on full-face helmets. MORE...
UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya has been unanimously elected as the Speaker of the 8th Parliament. His name was proposed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe and seconded by former opposition leader Nimal Siripala De Silva. MORE...
Navy rescues ten local fishermen off Hambantota
The Sri Lanka Navy has rescued ten local fishermen who were drifting 63 km off South East of Hambantota due to an engine failure. MORE...
Hamid Karzai arrives in Sri lanka
At the invitation of President Maithripala Sirisena, Hamid Karzai, former President of Afghanistan accompanied by a high powered delegation arrived in Sri Lanka this afternoon (31). MORE...
President allows opposition to pick its leader
President Maithripala Sirisena has agreed to allow the opposition to propose a candidate for the Opposition Leader, former Minister Wimal Weerawansa says. MORE...
New Parliament convenes tomorrow
The first sitting of the Eighth Parliament will be held tomorrow (1) from 9.00 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. with the participation of President Maithripala Sirisena. MORE...
New Government will work closely with all partners, says Mangala
The new Government will work closely with all its partners to ensure a stable and secure atmosphere for sustainable economic prosperity for all people, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera has said. MORE...
UPFA coalition partners to form new alliance?
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s allies are planning to form a new opposition alliance, breaking away from President Maithripala Sirisena’s United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) coalition, senior leftist leaders said on Saturday. MORE..
Strict laws to stop use of polythene and asbestos – President
President Maithripala Sirisena says he would enforce strict laws from January 1, 2016 to prevent use of polythene which is a major threat to the environment and the health of the people. MORE..
Karunanidhi condemns US support to Sri Lankan domestic probe
DMK chief Karunanidhi today condemned the US government’s reported proposal for support to a domestic probe by Sri Lanka into alleged war crimes rather than going in for an international investigation. MORE..
Cases against Anura Yapa and Susil withdrawn
The court cases filed against Anura Priyadarshana Yapa and Susil Premajayantha have been withdrawn by Duminda Dissanayake and Prof. Vishwa Warnapala. MORE..
Samarasinghe admits failure to implement 2009 resolution
President Maithripala Sirisena took the initiative to revive Sri Lanka’s connections with countries that had distanced itself from the island nation and he managed to win the trust of the world’s most powerful countries within a short span, says Mahinda Samarasinghe. MORE..
EPDP backs National Government
Since we have a faith that the National Government would address the issues faced by the Tamil community, the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) will back the coalition government, former Minister Douglas Devananda said. MORE... (Audio)
Indian forum seeks Centre’s intervention to prevent attack on fishermen
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Indian National Fish Workers Forum (NFF) has urged the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swraj to ensure that Tamil Nadu fishermen were not attacked while fishing by the Sri Lankan naval personnel. MORE...
Sri Lanka has to be alert to global threats – Army Chief
Sri Lanka is now one of the most peaceful countries but we all have to be alert to global threats, the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva said. MORE..
President emphasizes importance of coast conservation
President Maithripala Sirisena says that a special programme for coast conservation and preservation would be initiated in the near future. MORE..
Prof. Warnapala assumes duties as UPFA General Secretary
Professor Vishwa Warnapala today assumed duties as the new General Secretary of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA). MORE..
US backs Sri Lanka’s domestic probe
The United States said Wednesday that it wants to sponsor a resolution at next month’s U.N. human rights session that is supportive of Sri Lanka’s government, which wants to conduct its own investigation into alleged war crimes. MORE..
FR petition filed challenging UFPA National List
A Fundamental Rights (FR) petition has been filed today by a member of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) challenging the UFPA National List, which includes several candidates who were defeated at the general election. MORE..
Biswal meets President Sirisena
US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal called on Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday (25) evening. She was accompanied by the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Tom Malinowski. MORE...
Sarana Gunawardena further remanded
The Gampaha Magistrate on Wednesday (26) further remanded former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena who was in custody for allegedly assaulting a person. MORE...
Navy chases away Rameswaram fishermen?
The Sri Lankan navy allegedly attacked and chased away a group of Rameswaram fishermen who were fishing in the territorial waters of the island nation, the Times of India newspaper reported. MORE...
President has no ethical right to select National List MPs, says Gammanpila
The President has no ethical right to select Parliamentarians through the National List, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Leader Udaya Gammanpila says. MORE...
Nobody expects miracles from Sri Lanka – US
The Sri Lankan Government on Tuesday outlined the measures being taken to address concerns regarding alleged human rights violations including through independent domestic mechanisms, during a high-level discussion with a visiting US delegation. MORE..
UPFA Parliamentarian Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, who was arrested for allegedly misusing vehicles belonging to the President Secretariat Office, has been further remanded until September 8 by the Fort Magistrate’s Court, today (11). MORE...
Susil resigns as UPFA General Secretary
Susil Premajayantha on Tuesday (25) tendered his resignation letter to the President as the General Secretary of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA). MORE...
Blair assures to appear on behalf of Sri Lanka
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has assured to appear on behalf of Sri Lanka in eliminating misconceptions in the world. He gave this assurance during a meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena. MORE...
Nisha Biswal arrives in Sri Lanka
The United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal arrived in Sri Lanka this morning (25). MORE...
Biswal’s visit hastens swearing-in of three key Ministers
The visit of Nisha Biswal, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia on Tuesday to discuss the UN Human Rights Commissioner’s report on war crimes in Sri Lanka, has hastened the swearing-in of Mangala Samaraweera as Foreign Minister; Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as Justice Minister; and D.M.Swaminathan as Resettlement Minister. MORE...
Petition seeks re-appointment of Yapa and Susil
A petition has been filed at the Colombo District Court requesting to revoke the previous enjoining order issued to prevent Anura Priyadharshana Yapa and Susil Premajayantha from acting and discharging duties as the General Secretaries of the SLFP and UPFA. MORE...
Sarana remanded for assaulting a person
Former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena and three others have been arrested and remanded till 26 August for alleged assault on a person during the General Election 2015. MORE...
Three Cabinet Ministers take oath
Three Cabinet Ministers took oath before the President a short while ago. Mangala Samaraweera took oath as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as Minister of Justice and D. M. Swaminathan as Minister of Rehabilitation. MORE...
New Ministers likely to take oath tomorrow
The swearing-in ceremony of the new Ministers will likely be held tomorrow (25), a source said. The oath ceremony will be held before President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe at the President Secretariat Office. MORE...
No legal basis for international investigation within Sri Lanka; it has to be domestic - PM
There is no legal basis for international investigation within Sri Lanka; it has to be domestic, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe said in an interview to the Hindu. The reason some of the people have been calling for international investigation is the loss of confidence in the judiciary, he added. MORE...
National Government or opposition: President grants freedom to decide
The MP-elects of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) have been given freedom to choose whether to join the National Government or function in the opposition, MP-elect Mahinda Amaraweera quoted the President as saying. MORE...
Missing Persons Commission holds public sittings in Batticaloa
The Presidential Commission to Investigate into Complaints Regarding Missing Persons held Public Sittings in the Batticaloa Distinct today. The Public Sittings will be held in the Kaluwanchikudy Divisional Secretariat tomorrow as well, an official said. MORE...
Four Indians arrested for visa violations
At least four Indians have been arrested in eastern province for allegedly abusing visa conditions, the police said. MORE...
Nisha Biswal to arrive here next week
The United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal is due to arrive in Sri Lanka next week, the Government sources said. MORE....
Reports on National Govt. handed over to President
The committees, which were set up to formulate a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), have submitted its final reports to the President, a source close to the SLFP said. MORE...
Government begins Tamil resettlement in Sampoor
As a part of Government’s effort to resettle Tamils in North and East, a ceremony was held under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena to hand over the land deeds to 234 war displaced families in Sampur, on Saturday. MORE...
President Sirisena requested to seek a second term
People of Kinniya have appealed to Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena to seek a second term to fulfill the expectations of the people. The people have made this request when the President visited Kinniya and met the people there, the President’s Media Unit reported. MORE...
Rishad’s ACMC removes General Secretary
The General Secretary of the All Ceylon Muslim Congress (ACMC), Y.L.S. Hameed, has been removed from his position while his party membership has also been temporarily cancelled. MORE..
Chinese premier congratulates new PM
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has sent a congratulatory message to Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was sworn in as prime minister of Sri Lanka, the Xinhua news agency reproted.
US-SL to lift bilateral ties to new height
The United States has assured its fullest support to Sri Lanka’s economic development and reconciliation while emphasizing that Washington wishes to take bilateral relations with the island nation to a new height. MORE..
Australia will continue to support Sri Lanka - Bishop
Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop today congratulated Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on his re-election, following the “peaceful and orderly” parliamentary elections on 17 August 2015. MORE..
The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) today named the 12 MPs who would enter the next Parliament from the party’s National List. MORE..
India should take efforts to solve Lankan Tamils problem: CPI
The Communist Party of India (CPI) on Friday said that the Centre should take efforts to find a solution to the problems of Tamil population in Sri Lanka, considering the changed political equation in that country. MORE..
Welgama, Pavithra and SM sacked from UPFA ExCo
Former MP Kumara Welgama says that he has received letters from the General Secretaries of the SLFP and UPFA notifying of his removal from the UPFA Executive Committee. MORE..
The United National Party (UNP) today named the MPs who will enter Parliament through its National List to fill the 13 bonus seats won by the party at the recent general election. MORE..
EU lauds Sri Lanka’s genuine election
The European Union says the parliamentary elections held in Sri Lanka on August 17 were genuine, well administered and peaceful overall. MORE..
SLFP Central Committee convenes today
The Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has convened this morning, for the first time after the 2015 parliamentary election. MORE..
Handunetti, Mayadunne named as JVP National List MPs
Former MP Sunil Handunetti and former Auditor General Sarathchandra Mayadunne have been named as National List MPs from JVP. MORE..
I do not expect Opposition Leader post; should go to a senior - Mahinda
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa speaking to Ada Derana said that he does not expect the Opposition Leader post and will remain as a Member of Parliament. He added that the opposition leader post should be decided by the UPFA Parliamentary group and should go to a senior of the party. MORE...
EU monitors say poll well-administered and genuine
The 17 August Parliamentary Elections in Sri Lanka were ―well administered and offered voters a genuine choice from among a broad range of political alternatives, although campaign rules were restrictive‖, said Cristian Preda, Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) and Member of the European Parliament.
Ranil to hold discussions to establish a national plan
Discussions will be held with the party leaders and the President to reach an agreement on current matters and future party leadership matters in a bid to create a national plan, Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe said. MORE...
PM Modi congratulates Ranil Wickremesinghe on poll win
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called up Ranil Wickremesinghe to congratulate him on his party’s victory in Sri Lankan parliamentary polls, and expressed confidence that the relations between the two countries will get better under his leadership. MORE...
President issues special statement following close of polling
Delivering a special statement following the close of polling for the General Election 2015, President Maithripala Sirisena stated that to his knowledge the election which concluded today was the most peaceful in the country’s entire history of holding parliamentary polls since 1947. It is indisputable he added. MORE...
President hails most peaceful election in Sri Lanka’s history
Hailing today’s General Election as the most peaceful in the country’s history, President Maithripala Sirisena urged the public to enjoy the results in a calm manner. MORE..
Court orders handed over to Yapa and Premajayantha
The Colombo High Court today (17) ordered to handover a notice and an order, with respect to the court’s ruling to prevent Anura Priyadharshana Yapa and Susil Premajayantha from acting and discharging duties as the General Secretaries of the SLFP and UPFA respectively, to their houses. MORE...
UPDATE: President sacks 13 SLFP CC members
President Maithripala Sirisena has sacked 13 members from the SLFP Central Committee. The President in his capacity as the Chairman of the SLFP has sent a letter to the Elections Commissioner informing him of the removal and a list of the new 25 members of the Central Committee, a source from the Presidential Secretariat said. MORE...
Chinese tourists advised to be cautious in Sri Lanka
Chinese tourists traveling in Sri Lanka have been urged to remain cautious due to various accidents in the island nation. MORE..
TN police unable to obtain inputs from former LTTE cadre
K. Krishnakumar (39), the former militant of the proscribed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) arrested by the police in Ramanathapuram on July 20 turned out to be a hard nut to crack and the ‘Q’ Branch police could arrest only one person, police sources said. MORE..
Susil denies being sacked from UPFA
UPFA Colombo District candidate Susil Premajayantha says that media reports alleging that the General Secretaries of the SLFP and UPFA have been removed are completely untrue. MORE..
President sacks Anura and Susil; appoints Duminda and Vishwa
The Colombo District Court today issued an enjoining order preventing Anura Priyadharshana Yapa and Susil Premajayantha from acting and discharging duties as the General Secretaries of the SLFP and UPFA respectively until August 28, 2015. MORE..
A Sri Lankan man, believed to be a senior member of terrorist group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has been arrested by Malaysian police in a special raid in Kuala Lumpur, last week. MORE..
Pak-SL bond serves as beacon for South Asian countries: Envoy
The High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka, Maj Gen (R) Syed Shakeel Hussain says that the brotherly and time tested relationship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, having depth, breadth and diversity, serves as a beacon for other countries of South Asia. MORE..
Rajapaksa sends reply to President Sirisena
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today responded to the letter from President Maithripala Sirisena, with a letter of his own. MORE..
Signatures already given naming Mahinda as next PM - Susil
Reacting to President Maithripala Sirisena’s letter to his predecessor, the General Secretary of the UPFA Susil Premajayantha says that the leaders of the party, including him, have already given their signatures for appointing Mahinda Rajapaksa as the next Prime Minister. MORE..
UPFA will modernise the FCID: Susil
Measures will be taken to modernise the Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID), if the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) wins the forthcoming election, former Minister Susil Premajayantha asserted. MORE...
President Sirisena sends urgent letter to Rajapaksa
President Maithripala Sirisena has sent an urgent letter to former President and UPFA Kurunegala District candidate Mahinda Rajapaksa today (Aug 13), the Presidential Media Unit said. MORE..
Sri Lankan tourist found dead in temple pond
A 78-year-old Sri Lankan tourist, who was missing two days ago from Bahraich, was found dead in a pond at Korean temple of neighbouring Sharavasti district in Uttar Pradesh, Indian police said today. MORE..
Ex-Army Chief denies accusations over missing persons
The former Commander of the Sri Lankan, Army General Daya Ratnayake, says that allegations regarding disappearances of LTTE cadres who surrendered to security forces are simply made-up stories whispered by anti-Government groups. MORE..
Sarath Kumara’s bail plea turned down for 7th time
The Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court today rejected for the seventh time the bail plea put forward by the House Leader of the North Central Provincial Council, Ananda Sarath Kumara. MORE..
EXCLUSIVE: UNP leadership not my personal property - Ranil
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says that accusations of dividing the country and imposing taxes on water are last-ditch efforts by the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) to sling mud at the UNP and assured that the people will not be deceived by them. MORE...
Sajin de Vass Gunawardena further remanded
UPFA Parliamentarian Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, who was arrested for allegedly misusing vehicles belonging to the President Secretariat Office, has been further remanded until August 25 by the Fort Magistrate’s Court, today (11 MORE...
Government to make several SOEs self financed: Ravi
The new government’s plan to restructure the loss making State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to be self financed without depending on the General treasury will be a reality soon, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said. MORE...
Courts release Tamil Nadu fishermen
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Two courts in the Northern province today (10) ordered the release of 40 fishermen arrested by the Navy for allegedly fishing in Sri Lankan territory in June. MORE...
Foreign debt has fallen to a new record under the new government: FM
Sri Lanka’s foreign debt under the new government has decreased while maintaining the foreign reserve at US $ 7.5 billion, the Finance Ministry said today (10). MORE...
Sajin’s bail application rejected
A bail application, which was filed by a Counsel on behalf of former UPFA MP Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, was dismissed by the Colombo High Court. MORE...
Body of Wasim Thajudeen exhumed
The body of Wasim Thajudeen, has been exhumed a short while ago at Dehiwala, Police said. The remains have been placed under the custody of the Judicial Medical Officer. MORE...
President Sirisena revamps his security ahead of polls
Maithripala Sirisena has disbanded a part of the Presidential Security Division, and replaced the elite Sri Lankan unit with a highly-trained team of commandos, it was reported. MORE...
US citizens in Sri Lanka cautioned ahead of polls
The United States has issued a security message to its citizens living or traveling in Sri Lanka, in view of the forthcoming parliamentary polls in the island. MORE..
Top ILO official to visit Sri Lanka today
A top official of the International Labor Organization (ILO) is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka Saturday on a week-long official visit. MORE..
President asks voters to elect only suitable people to Parliament
All voters of the country have a great responsibility to elect only suitable persons to the Parliament in forthcoming General Election, says President Maithripala Sirisena. MORE..
Economy has flourished every time UNP was in power - Karu
Minister Karu Jayasuriya says that the decision of the voters at the coming parliamentary election will determine the destiny of the country and future of the people, and therefore urged voters to act prudently and identify the need of the hour. MORE..
President removes Secretary to Ministry of Posts
President Maithripala Sirisena has removed the Secretary to the Ministry of Posts on a complaint and recommendation of the Elections Commissioner, the Presidential Media Division said. MORE..
Retrieve Katchatheevu from Sri Lanka: Jayalalithaa tells Modi
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday urged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to protect the fishing rights of Indian fishermen and to retrieve the Katchatheevu islet from Sri Lanka. MORE..
Hirunika, Nishantha among 6 sacked from UPFA
The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) has terminated the membership of 6 Provincial Council members representing the party. MORE..
Government to continue mega reservoir project
President Maithripala Sirisena has assured that he will continue a multi-million-dollar mega dam project in the central part of the island nation and stressed that he would not allow its discontinuation, an official said. MORE...
Ranil vows to probe CB bond issue
The Government says that another select committee will be appointed to probe the controversial Central Bank bond issue when the new Parliament convenes. MORE...
Dilan Perera should tender public apology - P. Harrison
Minister P. Harrison says that former UPFA Parliamentarian Dilan Perera should tender a public apology to the entire body of Maha Sangha for insulting and treating them with contempt. MORE..
Decision on exhuming Thajudeen’s body expected tomorrow
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court is due to announce its decision Thursday (6) on the request made by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to exhume the body of former Sri Lankan Rugby player Wasim Thajudeen. MORE..
Vasan plans stir for release of fishermen from Sri Lankan jail
India’s Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) will stage State-wide agitation if the 14 Rameswaram fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan navy on a charge of poaching on June 2 were not released at the end of their judicial remand on August 13, party president G.K. Vasan has said. MORE..
Rs. 50 billion fraud in Kandy- Colombo expressway project, says Dilan
The Prime Minister has siphoned off over Rs. 50 billion though a new cabinet paper put forward by him with respect to the Kandy- Colombo expressway project, former Minister Dilan Perera charged. MORE...
President expresses satisfaction about improved cooperation with Turkey
President Maithripala Sirisena thanked Turkey for the steps taken to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation. He said Turkish construction companies have partnered in several construction projects including a housing project in Mannar where 100 houses were built. MORE...
UPFA Parliamentarian Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, who was arrested for allegedly misusing vehicles belonging to the President Secretariat Office, has been further remanded until August 11 by the Fort Magistrate’s Court. MORE...
Iran to further boost ties with Sri Lanka
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif at a meeting with Sri Lankan delegation to Iran, has voiced Tehran’s willingness to further boost ties with Sri Lanka, Iranian media reported. MORE...
Deshapriya directs MPs to handover state owned vehicles
Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya has ordered the former Parliamentarians to handover all state owned vehicles with immediate effect. MORE...
Ravi Jayawardena to assume duties as SLRC chairman?
Ravi Jayawardena, who is a Director and Current Affairs head of Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC), will likely be appointed as the new Chairman of the Corporation, a source told Ada Derana. MORE...
Bloemendal shooting: Another succumbs to injuries
Another person injured during the shooting incident at Bloemendal Road last Friday has succumbed to his injuries. The injured person was receiving treatment at the National hospital at the time of his demise. MORE...
Fraud and corruption led to economic downturn, says Ravi
Finance minister Ravi karunanayke said that the wrong economic policies by the previous government embedded with corruption and frauds resulted in the continuous deterioration of the government revenue and the agro based economy as well. MORE...
UPDATE: One dead, 4 injured after van runs over Duminda’s supporters
One person died while another 4 were wounded, 2 critically, when a van driven by a police officer ran over a group of political party supporters in Rambewa, Anuradhapura. MORE..
Special security for 2nd T20 in Colombo
The Police Department today said that special security arrangements have been made for the second and final Twenty20 (T20) match of the series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka to be played at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. MORE..
Tip from pilot leads to gold-smuggling bust at BIA
A Sri Lankan national has been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake for attempting to smuggle 24 gold biscuits worth Rs 12 million, into the country. MORE..
Swaminathan conveys condolences over death of Abdul Kalam
The Special Envoy of the President, Minister D.M. Swaminathan paid his last respects to the late former Indian President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam at the State Funeral which was held in Rameshwaran on Thursday, the foreign ministry said. MORE..
Somaratne Dissanayake resigns as Rupavahini Chairman
The Chairman of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC), Dr Somaratne Dissanayake, says that he is resigning from his position with effect from August 03, due to personal reasons. MORE..
Bribery Commission did not probe any serious allegations – Rajitha
New commissioners will be appointed to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption after August 18, says Cabinet Spokesman Dr Rajitha Senaratne. MORE...
President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday (30) appointed a High Commissioner and two new Ambassadors, the President’s Media Unit said. MORE...
Mastermind of 2009 Sri Lankan cricket team attack killed
The head of the banned Pakistani Sunni extremist outifit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Malik Ishaq, was killed in an attempted breakout from police late on Tuesday, along with his sons and 11 others, Pakistani media have reported. MORE...
Litro Gas denies Bandula’s allegations
The Litro Gas Lanka Ltd on Wednesday (29) denied allegations that the government has signed a MoU with Shell Gas Ltd to purchase Gas at US D 105 per MT, contrary to international tender procedures. MORE...
Minister prohibits use of SLTB buses for election campaigning
The Ministry of Internal Transport has issued a directive to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) not to grant permission for the political parties to use its properties for election campaign purposes. MORE...
FR petition filed seeking COPE report made public
A petition was filed with the Supreme Court today seeking an order for the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) sub-committee report on the Central Bank bond issue to be made public. MORE..
Ranjan Ramanayake to be charged of contempt of court?
Kotte Deputy Mayor Madura Vithanage on Monday (27) handed over a letter to the Supreme Court seeking contempt of court charges against Deputy Minister, Ranjan Ramanayake, for allegedly making defamatory remarks on the judiciary and lawyers. MORE...
UPFA election manifesto presented to Maithripala
The election manifesto of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA), for the 2015 General Election, was presented to President Maithripala Sirisena this morning by a group of party leaders. MORE..
Sri Lankan student reported missing in India
A Sri Lankan girl student doing hotel management course at a college in Moodbidri near Mangalore has been reported missing from her hostel since July 25, police said. MORE..
Bharatha’s murder accused remanded for violating bail conditions
Chaminda Rav Jayanath, an accused who violated bail conditions in the murder of former President’s Advisor Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, was remanded by the Colombo High Court today (27). MORE...
Fishermen act as sea route smugglers?
The Indian Customs officials anticipate possibilities of gold sneaking into the State from neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka through fishing boats following the large-scale seizures of smuggled gold at the airports in the State, the Hindu newspaper reported today. MORE...
Sri Lanka end Pakistan ODI series with big win
Kusal Perera led Sri Lanka’s strong batting display to give the hosts a comprehensive, but academic, 165-run win over Pakistan in the fifth and final one-dayer here today. MORE...
Dilshan becomes 4th Sri Lankan to get to 10,000 ODI runs
Tillakaratne Dilshan has joined an elite club of international cricketers by reaching 10000 One-Day International (ODI) career runs, during the 5th ODI against Pakistan at Hambantota. MORE...
President Maithripala Sirisena today (26) left for a state visit to participate at the commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Maldives in Male.
Indian fishermen attacked by Sri Lankan navy yet again?
Indian fishermen were attacked off Katchatheevu islet on Saturday night allegedly by Sri Lankan naval personnel, who opened fire in the air, forcing them to return to shore, the PTI news agency reproted. MORE...
President Sirisena to leave for Maldives on Sunday
President Maithripala Sirisena is to undertake a state visit to Maldives on Sunday to participate in the special ceremony celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Independence of the Indian Ocean archipelago to be held in Male. MORE..
Jayasuriya briefed on Pakistan’s telecom sector
Deputy Minister Provisional Councils and Regional Development Sanath Jayasuriya visited Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Headquarters in Islamabad. MORE..
Sri Lankan fishermen issue warning to Indian counterparts
Sri Lankan fishermen have reportedly warned their Indian counterparts that they would be attacked if they continued using banned fishing nets and damaged nets anchored in the Sri Lankan sea. MORE..
Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon to resign
Minister of Provincial Councils and Regional Development, Janaka Bandara Tennakoon, says that he will be resigning from his ministerial portfolio. MORE..
Navy assists Indian fishing trawler in distress
Sri Lanka Navy today rendered assistance to an Indian fishing trawler with 4 fishermen in distress in Sri Lankan waters. MORE..
SLTB buses not obtained under my name – Susil
UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha says that it is unreasonable to direct accusations at only him regarding the payments to be made for SLTB buses used during the Presidential Election and balance sheets also concern the President, as he is the incumbent Chairman of the party. MORE..
UPFA is not divided at all - Mahinda
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today denied that the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) is divided and said that the reason he did not form his own party to contest the election is because he was not ready to abandon the SLFP for his personal gain. MORE..
Enjoining Order against COPE report dissolved
The Colombo District Court today dissolved the enjoining order granted earlier preventing the publication of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) sub-committee report on the Central Bank bond issue. MORE..
No pressure from India on Port City project - govt
The Sri Lankan government has denied reports that the Indian government is exerting pressure on it to stall the $1.4 billion Colombo Port City Project. MORE..
Ravi to send letter of demand to MR
“A letter of demand will be sent to the former President seeking Rs 5000 million in damage over several defamatory remarks made against me to a newspaper,” Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said. MORE...
Navy denies attacking Indian fishermen
The Sri Lankan Navy on Wednesday denied reports that it had attacked a group of Indian fishermen who had strayed into Sri Lankan waters on Tuesday evening. MORE...
Government hails resolution of Iran nuclear issue
The government has welcomed the resolution of the Iran nuclear issue, the foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday (22). MORE...
Lankan detained in India was close aide of Prabhakaran – police
One of the two Sri Lankan Tamils arrested last night along with communication gadgets and cyanide in the district of Ramanathapuram has been identified as Krishnakumar, a close associate of slain LTTE supremo V Prabhakaran, Tamil Nadu police said today. MORE..
Over 40 injured after buses collide at Kosgama
(Update) Over 40 passengers were injured following a head-on collision involving a private bus and a SLTB bus at Kosgama police area on the Colombo-Avissawella main road this morning, the police spokesman said. MORE..
UPFA claims ‘white van’ threat to Mahinda, Gotabaya
The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) claims that the recent arrest of three army personnel in a white-coloured van in Mirihana, can be considered as a threat to the security of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. MORE..
Several items banned at Premadasa Stadium tomorrow
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has banned spectators from carrying hooters, liquor, glass bottles, sharp objects and lighters/match boxes into the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, which is hosting the 4th ODI match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka tomorrow (22). MORE..
MCSL condemns IS following Lankan’s death
The Sri Lankan national, who was reportedly killed in battle in Syria while fighting for the Islamic State, was the former principal of an international school in the Galewela area, according to the school’s owner. MORE..
EU election observers commence their activities
“It is a great pleasure to be here in Sri Lenka and lead the European Union Election Observation Mission to this country,” Cristian Preda, a Romanian member of the European Parliament said today (21). MORE...
SL becoming a key transportation hub for South Asia: ex-US Director of National Intelligence
Election outcome in Sri Lanka is important for the region and the world, Dennis Cutler Blair, the former United States Director of National Intelligence and former US Navy admiral has said. MORE...
TNA says to push for political solution to Tamil issues
Sri Lanka’s main minority Tamil political party, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), on Monday said it will push for a permanent political solution to issues faced by the Tamils, following the August 17 parliamentary election. MORE...
Four persons arrested in connection to rioting at Premadasa
Fighting broke out in the stands during the third one-day international between Pakistan and hosts Sri Lanka at the Premadasa Stadium interrupting the game for about half an hour, following which four persons involved in the rioting were arrested, the police said today. MORE...
WFFP urges full implementation of UN Law of seas
The World Forum of Fisher Peoples (WFFP) has sought a permanent solution to tackle the issue of arrest and incarceration of fishermen crossing the national borders and entering the territory of neighbouring countries. MORE...
Desperate Brits buy organs through Sri Lankan ‘fixers’
Terminally ill British citizens are buying organs over Facebook from ‘fixers’ in Sri Lanka, who organize transplantations for as little as $75,000, a trade that has come to be known as ‘transplant tourism.’ MORE...
Three Indian fishermen injured in attack by naval personnel?
Three Indian fishermen were injured when they were allegedly attacked by Sri Lankan naval personnel off Katchatheevu, the Press Trust of India reported. MORE...
Sri Lanka’s greatest wealth is the ‘diversity seen in its people’ – Nonis
Sri Lanka is a ‘microcosm of the commonwealth, where there is enormous economic disparity.’ He stated that in order for Sri Lanka to flourish, ‘we must strive towards a knowledge driven economy and embrace the change of development,’ Former Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the UK Dr Chris Nonis says. MORE...
SL and India fishermen call for resumption of dialogue
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Leaders of Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen have called for a resumption of the conciliatory dialogue which has been deadlocked since April last, the Hindu newspaper reported. MORE...
Prasanna Ranatunga, wife arrives at FCID
Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga and his wife arrived at the FCID a short while ago to give a statement over an alleged financial malpractice connected to a land deal. MORE...
Four Sri Lankan refugees released from Indian camp
Four Sri Lankan refugees lodged in a special camp at the Tiruchi Central Prison in India were released on Saturday, the Hindu Newspaper reported. MORE...
Secretary Defence visits North, holds discussions on release of lands
Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Mr. B.M.U.D Basnayake who assumed duties President Maithripala Sirisena was voted to power, undertook his first formal visit to the North, together with tri-service commanders, the Defence Ministry said. MORE...
President proposes procedure for “Prashansaneeya Seva Padakkama”
On a proposal made by President Maithripala Sirisena as Minister of Defence, the Cabinet has granted its approval to establish a general procedure to award the “Prashansaneeya Seva Padakkama” to officers and other ranks in the tri forces, the Ministry of Defence said. MORE...
Fuel price reduction if world oil prices drop: Ravi
The government will consider a further reduction in the fuel price if oil prices in the world drop, Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said. “We won’t do this as an election bribe. When the gas prices dropped in the world market we reduced the price accordingly,” he added. MORE...
Ramazan reinforces common human values that unite humankind: President
As Muslims throughout Sri Lanka and the world celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, I am most pleased to extend my wishes to them, President Maithripala Sirisena said. MORE...
Willing to make any sacrifice to protect SLFP – Mahinda
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says that he is willing to make any sacrifice to protect the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and that although he has not betrayed the country or the people, the finger is being pointed at him. MORE..
Cops put the brakes on UPFA candidate’s vehicle parade
The vehicle parade of a certain UPFA Colombo District candidate and his supporters, engaged in election campaigning, was dispersed following the intervention of the police. MORE..
UPFA election campaign to begin from Anuradhapura
The inaugural election rally of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) is scheduled to be held at the Salgadu Stadium in Anuradhapura today, under the theme “Let’s give life to the country and a new beginning”. MORE..
Sri Lanka human rights improved under Sirisena: UK
The human rights situation in Sri Lanka has “improved” since Maithripala Sirisena took over presidency from Mahinda Rajapaksa, a UK government report has said. MORE..
UPFA leaders set to meet Elections Chief today
Leaders of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) have decided to meet with the Commissioner of Elections Mahinda Deshapriya today. MORE..
Court order against publishing COPE report
The Colombo District Court today issued an interim injunction preventing the publishing of the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) sub-committee report on the controversial Central Bank bond issue, until July 23. MORE..
Kusal heroics help Sri Lanka level series
Kusal Perera scored the fastest fifty for Sri Lanka as the host team beat Pakistan in the second One Day International (ODI) of five match series on Wednesday at Pallekeke. MORE..
Enjoining order issued against convening SLFP’s CC
The Colombo District Court on Wednesday (15) issued an enjoining order against convening of the Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), without a prior permission from the President. MORE...
President condoles over demise of Ven. Maldeniye Jinalankara Thero
President Maithripala Sirisena extended his deepest condolences on the passing away of Dimbulagala Temple Chief Incumbent Ven. Maldeniye Jinalankara Thero, the Government’s official news portal said in a statement today. MORE...
Special UPFA meeting; Mahinda arrives at SLFP HQ
(Update) Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived at the SLFP Headquarters a short while ago for a special meeting of the UPFA Election Operation Committee meeting. All leaders of the major constituent parties of the UPFA along with President Maithripala Sirisena is scheduled to be present at the meeting. MORE...
I was against giving nominations to MR, says the President
I was of the view that nominations should not be given to the former President to contest under the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) ticket at the forthcoming General Election, President Maithripala Sirisena said today (14). MORE...
Champika and Rathana Thero have betrayed national interests - CNO
Patali Champika Ranawaka and Athuraliye Rathana Thero have betrayed the national movement and national interests of the country, charged the Collection of National Organisations. MORE..
Four Indian fishermen arrested with 165 kilograms of “Kerala Ganja”
The Sri Lanka Navy on Tuesday (14) arrested four Indian fishermen with 165 kilograms of cannabis (Kerala Ganja) in the seas north-west of the Thalai-mannar. MORE...
Court grants bail to Prasanna and wife
The Fort Magistrate on Tuesday (14) granted bail to the Chief Minister of the Western Province, Prasanna Ranatunga, and his wife in connection with a case filed against them over an irregular land deal. MORE...
Ranil wants Maithri to stay away from election?
President and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) chairperson Maithripala Sirisena, who has received flak recently from certain sections for reportedly clearing the nomination of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa for the parliamentary elections, is going to stay away from the polls, the Hindu Newspaper reported. MORE...
Stay order on full-face helmets extended
The Court of Appeal on Monday (13) further extended the stay order issued against the circular imposing a ban on full-face helmets. MORE...
Filing of nominations concludes today
Accepting of nominations for the General Election will be concluded today (06) at 12. 00 p.m. the Elections Department said. MORE...
Kalutara town and Calido beach to be developed
The Government has taken steps to develop the Kalutara Town and Calido Beach, the Government Information Department said in a statement. MORE...
Special traffic plan in Rajagiriya tomorrow
A special traffic plan will be implemented tomorrow (13) in and around Rajagiriya 7.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. while nominations for the forthcoming General Election are accepted, the Department of Police said. MORE...
Ranil promises devolution of power to provinces
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has promised power devolution to the island’s provinces as part of the reconciliation process with the minority Tamils ahead of the August 17 parliamentary election, the PTI reproted. MORE...
Paranavitana resign as Media Ministry Secretary
Karunaratne Paranavitana has resigned from his position as the Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media and Information, with effect from Friday (10). MORE..
India extends tsunami warning services to Sri Lanka
India has extended its tsunami early warning system services to Sri Lanka and the Seychelles. MORE..
A group of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) members including several Ministers are preparing to contest the upcoming General Election separately and not from the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA), political sources told Ada Derana. MORE..
Court summons Prasanna Ranatunga
The Chief Minister of the Western Province Prasanna Ranatunga has been summoned to appear before the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on July 14, in connection with a case filed against him, police said. MORE..
Army officer involved in fatal road accident suspended
Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army has suspended, with immediate effect and without pay, the service of the Army officer involved in the fatal road accident at Gurubabila in the Weligama area, which claimed the lives of three persons. MORE..
Bittersweet return for Sri Lanka’s displaced Tamils - report
When Balasundaram Rasamalar finally got back her home in Sri Lanka’s battle-scarred north after years of military occupation, there was an unexpected problem. The toilet was still in the militarised zone -- where civilians are not allowed. MORE..
Govt rebuts ex-President’s allegations on ethanol licences
The Ministry of Finance today rejected the allegation made by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa that the government in 100 days has issued 28 ethanol licences. MORE..
President warns politicians with links to drug trade
President Maithripala Sirisena today said it is essential that Sri Lanka’s politicians completely distance themselves from illegal narcotics. MORE..
Liquor shops closed only on July 10 - Excise Dept.
All liquor shops in the country will be closed only on July 10 in view of the Temperance Month, the Excise Department announced. MORE..
Wigneswaran wants Sirisena to undertake meaningful reforms
The US and the international community can play a large role in supporting the Sri Lanka’s economic development and accountability and reconciliation processes, as the country tries to move beyond its corrupt and troubled past, says Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran. MORE..
Liquor shops closed from July 10-12
The Department of Excise announced that all liquor shops in the island will be closed on July 10, 11 and 12 in view of the Temperance Month announced by the Ministry of Health. MORE..
New Sri Lankan envoys appointed
The Sri Lankan Government has appointed four new ambassadors and one High Commissioner to countries including Australia, Canada and South Korea. MORE..
Sri Lanka fast emerging as organ transplant hub for Indians - report
With Indian organ transplantation rules making it impossible for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients to buy organs, the island nation of Sri Lanka is fast emerging as the market for organ trade for Bengalureans, Indian media reports. MORE..
UPFA Parliamentarian Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, who was arrested for allegedly misusing vehicles belonging to the President Secretariat Office, has been further remanded until July 21 by the Fort Magistrate’s Court. MORE...
If UPFA nomination foils; Mahinda prepared to contest through ‘budding flower’
In case former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is unable to contest the upcoming General Election under the UPFA due to a breakdown in the Mahinda-Maithri collaboration, Rajapaksa is scheduled to contest under the Our Sri Lanka Freedom Front (Ape Sri Lanka Nidahas Peramuna) with the symbol of a budding flower. MORE...
Gayantha says UNP confident in election win
As the United National Party (UNP) is about to contest separately at the General Election, it does not matter to whom the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) grant nominations to, Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka asserted. MORE...
JHU to contest under a new front
Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said that the Jathika Hela Urumaya will depart from the the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) and will contest under a new front at the forthcoming general election. MORE...
Acceptance of nominations for election from tomorrow
The Elections Department says that nominations for the 2015 General Election will be accepted from July 06 to 15. The Department is making preparations to hold the General Elections on August 17. MORE...
President assures to safeguard January 8 victory
President Maithripala Sirisena says that no one will be allowed to turn around the trust the people placed on the transformation which took place in the country on January 08. MORE..
Mahinda will contest from Kurunegala District - TB
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa will contest the upcoming General Election from the Kurunegala District, says former Minister T.B. Ekananayake. MORE..
UNP ‘minority’ Govt will be defeated on Aug 17 - Dinesh
We hope to defeat the UNP minority government on August 17, MEP Leader and former UPFA MP Dinesh Gunawardena said a short while ago. MORE...
UPFA decides to give nomination to Mahinda Rajapaksa
The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) has decided to give nominations to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to contest at the upcoming General Election on August 17 under the UPFA ticket. MORE..
Indian fishermen claim attack by Sri Lankan counterparts
About 30 to 40 fishermen claim they were attacked allegedly by their Sri Lankan counterparts off Kodiakarai coast, who damaged their nets worth millions of rupees and threw the catch into the sea, an Indian fisheries department official said. MORE..
Ex-LTTE cadre gets 10 years RI for Maithripala assassination attempt
The former LTTE operative who was involved in an assassination attempt on President Maithripala Sirisena, when he was the Minister of Mahaweli Development in 2006, has been sentenced to 10 years Rigorous Imprisonment (RI). MORE..
Maithripala refuses to give nomination to Mahinda - sources
President Maithripala Sirisena has refused to give nominations to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to contest the upcoming General Election under the UPFA ticket, political sources told Ada Derana. MORE..
Mahinda-Maithri meeting took place, but different venue
Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena today confirmed that a discussion did take place between President Maithripala Sirisena and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and that they had only denied the location of the meeting. MORE..
Rajapaksa to be briefed on Sirisena’s decision
Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva has met with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Kandy this morning, political sources revealed to Ada Derana. MORE..
Sangakkara announces Test retirement
Sri Lanka’s batting great Kumar Sangakkara has ended speculation about his future by confirming that he will retire during his team’s home series against India in August. MORE..
Met Department issues severe weather advisory
The Department of Meteorology says that due to the convergence of wind flows showery weather with very heavy rain falls in the southwestern parts of the country and strong southwesterly winds over the country and surrounding sea areas are expected. MORE..
Parliament dissolved - sources
The Parliament of Sri Lanka has been dissolved with effect from midnight today (June 26) by President Maithripala Sirisena, Government sources told Ada Derana. MORE..
Elections Commissioner ready to retire, but has to wait
Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya, who has reached the age of retirement, says that he will continue to function in his post until the Elections Commission is established in line with the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. MORE..
Rajapaksa also denies meeting with Sirisena
Reports published regarding an urgent meeting between former Mahinda Rajapaksa and incumbent President Maithripala Sirisena at the Speaker’s official residence are untrue, Rajapaksa’s Media Coordinator Rohan Weliwita said. MORE..
Network cuts Miss USA over Trump remark
A Univision network is dropping the Miss USA pageant and the company says it will cut all business ties with Donald Trump in a spiraling controversy over comments the Republican presidential candidate made recently about Mexican immigrants. MORE..
CB Governor seeks overseas loans to reduce debt costs
Sri Lankan central bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran is seeking concessional overseas loans to refinance costlier debt and reduce reliance on global bond markets. MORE..
No Mahinda-Maithri meeting at Speaker’s house - PMD
The President’s Media Division today denied media reports alleging that a meeting between President Maithripala Sirisena and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa took place at the Speaker’s residence yesterday (June 25). MORE..
Recommendations of ‘Welikada riot’ probe committee
The Committee of Inquiry appointed to look into the 2012 Welikada Prison riot has recommended the payment of compensation to the families of the deceased persons and those who were injured in the incident, the Justice Ministry said. MORE..
Mahinda-Maithri coordination committee to meet ex-President
The committee appointed by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to coordinate the party’s affairs between President Maithripala Sirisena and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is scheduled to meet with the latter today (25). MORE..
Politicians shouldn’t waste public money for banners, cutouts: President
Politicians should not waste public money for the banners and cutouts for their election campaigns and instead should spend that money for the welfare of the people, President Maithripala Sirisena said today. MORE..
SLFP will suffer absolute defeat if Mahinda contests - SB
Minister of Rural Economic Affairs S.B. Dissanayake says that the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) would suffer an absolute defeat if former President Mahinda Rajapaksa contests the upcoming General Election. MORE..
Sri Lankan Navy asked not to open fire on fishermen: India
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday informed the Madras High Court Bench in Madurai that it has impressed upon the Sri Lankan Navy “to act with restraint, not to fire on [Indian] fishermen and to treat [Indian] fishermen in a humane manner.” MORE..
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, who undertook a visit to Japan on the invitation of his Japanese counterpart, Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida, concluded his tour successfully, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. MORE...
Protest demands release of 14 Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lanka
Members of the Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) and the fishing community staged a demonstration in Rameswaram on Friday, demanding the release of 14 Indian fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy on charges of poaching and protesting against the Centre’s directive to paint the trawlers in green colour. MORE..
LTTE financial network operated throughout 2014: US report
Despite its military defeat at the hands of the Sri Lankan government in 2009, the LTTE’s international network of sympathizers and financial support persists, the United States says. MORE..
56 garment factory workers hospitalised
At least 56 workers at a garment factory in the Katunayake Investment Promotion Zone were hospitalised today with symptoms of food poisoning. MORE..
Sri Lanka to dilute dependence on China - Mangala
Sri Lanka’s foreign minister says the country will review its China-dependent foreign policy and boost ties with other nations. MORE...
Families of gem mine accident victims compensated
President Maithripala Sirisena today distributed financial payments as compensation to the families of persons who died or suffered disabilities in accidents in the gem mines belonging to the Gem and Jewellery Authority. MORE..
UPFA Parliamentarian Sajin de Vass Gunawardena, who was arrested for allegedly misusing vehicles belonging to the President Secretariat Office, has been further remanded until June 24 by the Colombo Magistrate’s. MORE..
Tissa grilled at Bribery Commission
Former UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake was today summoned to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption to record a statement regarding his acceptance of a ministerial portfolio before the Presidential Election. MORE..
Sri Lanka to treat migrants as ‘victims’ of smugglers
The Government is taking action against human traffickers under due processes while treating migrants as victims of smugglers, Sri Lanka’s envoy to the United Nations Ravinatha Aryasinha said. MORE..
Zeid wants credible mechanisms in place before September session
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) will remain very engaged in discussions with the Sri Lankan authorities on the need for transparent and inclusive processes to develop credible mechanisms for accountability and reconciliation. MORE...
Cabinet approves 20A with 237 parliamentary seats
Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers today approved the 20th amendment to the constitution increasing the number of seats in Parliament to 237 from 225. MORE..
Namal Rajapaksa questioned by CID
UPFA Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa arrived at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) this morning to give a statement, Ada Derana Reporter said. MORE..
Sir Christopher Lee dies aged 93
Sir Christopher Lee, known as the master of horror, has died at the age of 93 after being hospitalised for respiratory problems and heart failure. MORE..
Ex-PMs appointed as senior advisers to President
Former Prime Ministers of Sri Lanka D.M. Jayaratne and Ratnasiri Wickramanayake have been appointed as senior advisers to President Maithripala Sirisena on political affairs. MORE..
Ban’s spokesman reveals reason for statement delay
The Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General has conceded that a failure in its ‘system’ had led to the delay in the dissemination of a statement regarding last week’s telephonic conversation between Ban Ki-Moon and President Maithripala Sirisena. MORE..
PM orders halt to forceful evictions, land acquisitions in Colombo
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed the Chairman of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) to immediately stop land acquisition activities “in the guise of development” in the Colombo District and to stop forceful evictions and acquisitions. MORE..
Mubarak recalled for Tests against Pakistan
After being sidelined for close to eight years, Jehan Mubarak, the allrounder, was recalled to Sri Lanka’s Test team when the 16-man squad for the three-match series against Pakistan was announced on Wednesday (June 10). MORE..
DV Upul further remanded till June 15
Southern Provincial Council Minister D.V. Upul, who was arrested over controversial comments he made regarding the FCID, has been further remanded until June 15 by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. MORE..
79 estate workers hospitalised after drinking tea
At least 79 estate workers have been hospitalized after consuming tea, suspected to have been accidentally mixed with agrochemicals, in the Piranmalai area in Haputale. MORE..
President calls for promoting languages in schools
President Maithripala Sirisena says that Sri Lanka must further develop its education policy with a comprehensive understanding about national and international requirements. MORE..
Missing Persons panel to submit final report in August
A Sri Lankan presidential panel probing the alleged disappearances of thousands of people, including minority Tamils, during the deadly civil war will present its final report in August, an official said today. MORE..
Report on Wilpattu resettlement presented to President
A report prepared by environmental organizations on the controversial issue of resettlement within the Wilpattu Sanctuary boundaries has been presented to President Maithripala Sirisena. MORE..
Opposition wants installation of majority govt, not Parliament dissolution
Sri Lanka’s opposition parties want the installation of a government which has majority support in parliament and not its dissolution and fresh elections. MORE..
No-confidence motion against PM a ‘senseless act’ - Wijedasa
Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksa says that the President intends to dissolve Parliament after the constitutional amendment bill to change the electoral system is submitted. MORE..
Sri Lanka condoles with Ghana over fire, flood tragedies
The Sri Lankan Government has condoled with the government and people of Ghana over the dual tragedy of flooding and fire outbreak which claimed scores of lives in that country. MORE..
Special commodity levy on potatoes, big onions slashed
The Ministry of Finance announced that the special commodity levy imposed on imported Potatoes and Big onions has been reduced with effect from midnight today (05). MORE..
Ranil wants to create UK-type ‘Serious Frauds’ division
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today said that the government is currently in the process of “cleaning up” the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and that they intend to establish a ‘Serious Frauds and Financial Crimes Division’ for this purpose. MORE..
Guinness Record initiative in tea plucking
Sri Lanka Tourism, Sri Lanka Tea Board and Sri Lankan Airlines initiated a Sri Lanka Guinness Record on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Onboard Travel (APOT) partners’ congress 2015. MORE..
Missing Sri Lankan teenager found safe
A Sri Lankan teenager has been found safe after she went missing from a bus stop on Thursday night in Brisbane, Australia. MORE..
UN chief commends President Sirisena
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has appreciated the new Government’s forward march under the leadership of President Maithripala Sirisena, to build peace and reconciliation in the country while protecting democratic rights of the People. MORE..
DV Upul banned from leaving country
The Colombo Chief Magistrate today issued a directive prohibiting Southern Provincial Councillor D.V. Upul from travelling overseas, following a request by the CID. MORE..
BJP says committed to solving fishermen issue
Voicing its commitment to solving the dispute over fishing rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen in the Palk Strait, the BJP on Thursday said it was handling the problem “carefully” and a final solution “needs time”. MORE..
Sri Lanka condoles with China on ship sinking
The Sri Lankan Government today expressed condolences to the Government and the people of China on the tragic incident of the capsizing of a cruise ship in the Yangtze River in the Hubei Province, where many people are feared to have drowned, with hundreds still missing. MORE..
Jaffna violence: 43 suspects further remanded
A batch of 43 persons who were recently arrested for unruly behavior near the Jaffna court complex have been further remanded until June 12. MORE..
President Sirisena has moved country away from divisive politics - US
President Maithripala Sirisena has moved the country away from divisive politics and crony capitalism toward a new path of reconciliation and inclusive development, the United States said today. MORE...
Sri Lanka to talk to India on fishing
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Sri Lanka said on Monday that it will continue to engage with India on the fishermen issue to seek satisfactory short-term and long-term solutions. MORE...
President Sirisena has become a prisoner of the UNP: Bandula
(Exclusive) President Maithripala Sirisena has become a prisoner of the United National Party (UNP), former Minister Bandula Gunawardena said. MORE...
Injustice against Tamils in Sri Lanka continues: DMK
Expressing concern over a report on the Sri Lankan army’s “continued occupation” of traditional Tamil homeland, DMK on Saturday said it showed that the scene has not changed despite a change of guard in the island republic. MORE..
Two killed in suicide blast outside Gadaffi Stadium
Pakistan on Saturday confirmed that a blast that claimed two lives near a cricket stadium on Friday where a ODI match was underway was a suicide attack. MORE..
Want to re-open investigations on attacks on media – President
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena says he wants to re-open investigations into all past murders and disappearances of journalists. MORE..
Govt does not have will to help Tamils - Wigneswaran
Chief Minister of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, C.V. Wigneswaran, has accused the country’s Central government of not “having the will” to help Tamils or minorities. MORE..
Special facilities for the disabled voters
The Government has taken steps to introduce a system which will ensure that all differently abled citizens can cast their vote at elections, Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya said. MORE..
SLFP Parliamentarians Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Chandrasiri Sooriyaarachchi, Hemal Gunasekara and Pandu Bandaranayake have received ministerial portfolios. MORE..
Body of suspected missing teen recovered
The body of a teenager, believed to be that of the 15-year-old boy who was reported missing, has been recovered from the Gin Ganga near the Gintota Bridge, police said. MORE..
5 Sri Lankan fishermen detained near Nagapattinam
The Indian Coast Guard personnel on Thursday night detained as many as five Sri Lankan fishermen and have confiscated their fishing boat charged with the offence of poaching in Indian waters at about 36 nautical miles off Nagapattinam coast. MORE..
New SLFP Ministers to be sworn in
A group of SLFP Parliamentarians are to be sworn in as Ministers today filling the vacant portfolios following the recent resignation of several SLFP Ministers. MORE..
Sri Lankan Minister’s remarks not helpful – India
Differences between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen’s associations spilled into relations between the two governments, as India responded sharply to the Sri Lankan Fisheries Minister’s refusal of a proposal to allow Indian fishermen into Sri Lankan waters for 65 days. MORE..
Sri Lanka reluctant to demilitarise - report
Notwithstanding the four-month-old Sirisena government’s repeated assertions of attaching priority to ethnic reconciliation in the country, the regime has been found to be “reluctant” in demilitiarising the Northern and Eastern Provinces, where Tamils live in large numbers, according to a study of Oakland Institute, a U.S.-based policy think tank.
Sri Lanka Cricket sack three officials over sex bribe scandal
Sri Lankan cricket’s governing body on Wednesday announced the sacking of three officials after allegations that members of the women’s national team were asked to perform sexual favours to keep their places. MORE..
Cabinet nod for 20th Amendment
The Cabinet of the Sri Lankan government today granted approval for the draft bill of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, formulated to change the country’s electoral system, sources said. MORE..
Special Parliamentary session to approve CC members
(UPDATE) A special parliamentary session to approve the civil society representatives of the Constitutional Council will be held next Wednesday (June 03), Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody said. MORE..
Good governance started with bad precedent - Former CJ
Former Chief Justice of Sri Lanka Sarath N. Silva says that good governance cannot be established in a country within just 100 days and that it will never exist under jungle law. MORE..
Sarath Fonseka says he would welcome war crime investigation
Sri Lanka’s wartime army chief says his conscience is clear and he would welcome a war crimes investigation to prove his innocence. MORE..
Special court to try Jaffna rape accused - President
President Maithripala Sirisena, who is currently visiting Jaffna, pledges that the accused in the Pungudutivu gang rape and murder case will be punished even through a special court, the Presidential Media Division said. MORE...
Mahinda Rajapaksa to contest in parliamentary polls - report
Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa had informed his close aides that he will contest in the parliamentary elections which are expected to be held in the country in July, a senior opposition member said on Monday. MORE..
JVP to boycott National Executive Council
The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) says that it would no longer participate in the National Executive Council. MORE..
Film on slain LTTE presenter banned in India
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has refused to certify ‘Porkalathil Oru Poo,’ a film based on real life story of television journalist, Isaipriya, who was allegedly killed in captivity by the Sri Lankan armed forces in the final stages of the civil war in 2009... MORE
Government recognizes the importance of engaging with the diaspora: Mangala
The Government recognizes the importance of engaging with the diaspora, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs intends to take the lead in organizing a diapora festival where persons of Sri Lankan origin from around the world in all possible fields...MORE
Fonseka’s Democratic Party to back UPFA at the election- Dayasiri
The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) will form a coalition government after the forthcoming election, thus several political parties are expected to join hands with the party in near future, North Western Province Chief Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said. MORE...
Criminal action over Sri Lanka cricket sex-bribe scandal
Sri Lankan authorities on Saturday said they would initiate criminal action against two men managing the women’s cricket team following allegations they demanded sexual favours from team members to guarantee their positions. MORE..
India hands over 16 Sri Lankan fishermen
India on Saturday handed over 16 Sri Lankan fishermen—arrested for allegedly poaching in the Indian waters—to Sri Lankan authorities, several days after they were ordered released by courts. MORE..
Jayalalithaa takes oath Tamil Nadu CM
AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa on Saturday was sworn in for the fifth time as Tamil Nadu chief minister, nearly eight months after she was forced to quit over corruption charges. MORE..
Govt’s immediate priority to reset investment climate - Mangala
Sri Lanka’s foreign minister says that with relatively well developed infrastructure and human capital, the government’s immediate priority is to reset the investment climate by making Sri Lanka a secure, efficient and competitive investment destination in South Asia. MORE..
TN CM Panneerselvam resign; Jayalalithaa invited to form Govt soon
Accepting the resignation of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O.Panneerselvam and his council of ministers on Friday Governor K. Rosaiah invited AIADMK general secretary J.Jayalaltihaa to form the ministry at the earliest, a Raj Bhavan statement said. MORE...
India may offer credit for building houses in land released by Army
India, which is funding the construction of 50,000 houses for internally-displaced Tamils in Sri Lanka, may offer a line of credit, this time for building houses in lands released by the Army from the high security zones. MORE...
Malaysia interested in major joint ventures with Sri Lanka
A high level team of Malaysian entrepreneurs headed by Prime Minister’s Special Envoy Datu Seri Utama Samy Vellu called on President Maithripala Sirisena at his official residence today (May 21) and expressed interest in major joint ventures and investments in several areas. MORE..
Women’s cricket sex scandal: Probe finds evidence of sexual harassment
The committee appointed to investigate the Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket sex scandal has found evidence of sexual harassment by members of the women’s management team, the Sports Ministry said today. MORE..
Several Ministers to resign today
Several ministers of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) are set to resign from their respective portfolios today. MORE..
Women’s cricket sex scandal: Report handed over to Minister
The committee appointed to probe shocking allegations of the Sri Lanka women’s team management and national selectors seeking sexual bribes from players, today submitted its report to the Minister of Sports. MORE..
Basil further remanded till May 27
Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa and three other officials, who were arrested on charges of misappropriation of Divi Neguma funds, have been further remanded until May 27 by the Kaduwala Magistrate’s Court. MORE..
Hambantota Mayor released on bail
Mayor of Hambantota Eraj Fernando, who was arrested and remanded for allegedly attempting to assault a suspect in police custody, has been released on bail by the Hambantota Magistrate’s Court. MORE..
New Parliament by September - President
President Maithripala Sirisena today said that the Sri Lankan Parliament will be dissolved after appointing a constitutional council and that there will be a new Parliament by September. MORE..
No Smuggler in team - Fishermen Delegation
Members of the delegation of Tamil Nadu fishermen who met Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena here on May 12 have denied the charge that one of the members of their team was a smuggler. MORE...
Sri Lanka’s tourism sector outperforms broader economy: report
A steep rise in visitor numbers to Sri Lanka is driving growth in the country’s tourism industry, though a slowdown in the Chinese economy and problems in Russia could take the edge off the surge of arrivals later in the year. MORE..
NFF claims ‘fake’ Indian fishermen group met Sirisena
Amid allegations that the fisherfolk group which met Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena recently included a smuggler, the National Fishworkers’ Forum (NFF) in India has demanded that the State, Central, and Sri Lankan governments probe the incident and bring to book the fake fishermen associations. MORE..
PM’s remark is a major blow to the independence of the judiciary: Silva
Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe’s recent remark, concerning the order of the Supreme Court on the former Defence Secretary’s fundamental rights petition, is a major blow to the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law, Opposition Leader and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MP Nimal Siripala de Silva said today (17). MORE...
New army chief a blow to justice, says HRW
Sri Lanka‘s promotion of a senior officer whose division was implicated in serious human rights abuses casts doubt on government pledges to credibly investigate alleged war crimes, Human Rights Watch said today (17). MORE...
Bribery Commissioner resigns; new probes on hold
Justice L.K. Wimalachandra, a Commissioner of the Bribery Commission, has resigned with effect from Friday (15), the Director General of the commission Dilrukshi Dias Wickramasinghe said. MORE..
Tamil Nadu fishermen freed under Indo-SL swap deal
The 37 Tamil Nadu fishermen detained in Sri Lanka were released by a court in Point Pedro in Jaffna district on Friday, following a swap agreement with India under which 16 Lankan fishermen jailed in India will also be released, Indian officials told Express. MORE..
Trains delayed as Yal Devi collides with container truck
Trains on the main line have been delayed due to a collision involving the Anuradhapura-bound Yal Devi train and a container truck near Hunupitiya Railway Station. MORE..
Muslim Council writes to JVP over resettlement comments
The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka today wrote to the JVP to raise its concern over comments made on the resettlement of Muslim IDPs. MORE...
Shashi Weerawansa’s passport and NIC forged: CID informs court
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today informed court that the diplomatic passport and National Identity Card (NIC) of former Minister Wimal Weerawansa’s wife Shashi Weerawansa, have been forged. MORE..
Sri Lanka briefs diplomats on moves to restore democracy
Sri Lanka has briefed diplomats based in the country on moves to restore democracy, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. MORE..
Govt. briefs envoys on moves to restore democracy
Sri Lanka has briefed diplomats based in the country on moves to restore democracy in the country, the foreign ministry said. The ministry of foreign affairs also said it has decided to have regular briefings for diplomats and the media based in Sri Lanka. MORE...
Gammanpila files complaint against President, PM
Leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya WPC member Udaya Gammanpila today lodged a complaint with the Bribery Commission against President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. MORE..
DMK welcomes Sri Lanka’s efforts to solve fishing dispute
Welcoming Sri Lanka’s efforts to solve the fishing dispute in Palk Strait, DMK today urged the Indian government to take steps for bilateral talks involving fishermen of the island nation and India and bring about a lasting solution to the vexed issue. MORE..
Pakistani army chief’s visit postponed
The scheduled Sri Lanka visit of Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif, NI (M), has been put off due to unavoidable circumstances, until further notice. MORE..
SC rejects FR against Arjuna Mahendran
The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka today rejected the Fundamental Rights (FR) petition seeking an independent inquiry into the controversial Central Bank Treasury bond issue and it’s Governor Arjuna Mahendran. MORE...
Release order for 37 Indian fishermen - Devadas
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has ordered the release of 37 Indian fishermen lodged in various prisons of the island nation after a meeting with a delegation of five Indian fishermen. MORE...