November 22, 2024 7:36 am
Results: 102
Sri Lanka could accept international actors in war crimes probe
Sri Lanka’s foreign minister said on Thursday he is willing to consider international participation in investigating possible war crimes during the 26-year Tamil insurgency. MORE...
Neo-fascists opposing closer India-Sri Lanka ties - Mangala
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera has criticised “neo-fascists” in Sri Lanka for opposing closer ties with India. MORE...
SL to sign convention of protection from enforced disappearances
Today Sri Lanka will sign the International Convention for the protection of all persons from enforced disappearances, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said. MORE..
Court returns Wimal’s passport
The Negombo Magistrate this morning (28) returned the passport of MP Wimal Weerawansa, Ada Derana reporter says. 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...
New electoral system based on German Model - Mangala
The government today said that it is laying the groundwork for a new constitution, including a new electoral system based on what is popularly known in Sri Lanka as the German Model. 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..
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...
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...
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...
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...
Trade minister says no to CEPA
Sri Lanka will not be discussing a trade agreement with India entitled Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) during a visit to India tomorrow, said the Minister for Development Strategies and International Trade, Malik Samarawickrama on Sunday. MORE...
Sri Lanka set to announce reconciliation plans
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera would make a statement in Geneva on Monday, the inaugural day of the the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)’s three-week-long session. MORE...
UN probe report handed over to govt
The UN probe report on alleged war crimes committed during the final phase of Sri Lankan military’s battle against the LTTE has been handed over to the government. 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..
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...
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...
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..
New cabinet to be sworn in on Sep 02
The Cabinet of Ministers of the new government will be sworn in next Wednesday (September 02), UNP Chairman Malik Samarawickrama told Ada Derana. MORE..
SLFP, UNP will form the National Government: Malik
The United National Party (UNP) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) have reached a final consensus over forming a National Government, UNP Chairman Malik Samarawickrama said in a statement today (26).
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..
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...
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...
The Leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF) and former Minister Wimal Weerawansa arrived at the Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) to give a statement today. MORE..
Shashi Weerawansa arrives at FCID
Shashi Weerawansa, wife of former Minister Wimal Weerawansa, today arrived at the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) to give a statement. MORE..
Dr Sudarshani Fernandopulle, Lasantha Alagiyawanna and Eric Prasanna Weerawardena of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party have decided to resign from their respective Deputy Ministerial portfolios. MORE..
Mahinda signs nominations to contest from Kurunegala
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Thursday (09) signed nominations to contest under the United People’s Freedom Alliance ticket for the Kurunegala electoral district, National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa said.
Gota could lose civil rights in ‘MiG deal’ probe - Mangala
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera today welcomed the the US State Department report which had revealed the existence of the LTTE’s financial network and said that it reflected the “failure” of the former government. 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...
We have to rise above hatred and feelings of vengeance - Mangala
The Sri Lankan government pursues a policy of engagement, dialogue and cooperation with all countries and international organisations and will remain open to the ideas of others, their views and opinions, says the country’s foreign minister. 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...
No discussion on LTTE ban at TNA-GTF meet: Mangala
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister says that topics such as lifting the proscription of the LTTE or war crimes allegations did not feature in his recent discussion with the Global Tamil Forum and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in London. MORE..
Four new Deputy Ministers sworn in
Four SLFP Parliamentarians today took oaths as Deputy Ministers before President Maithripala Sirisena. MORE..
Shashi Weerawansa grilled by FCID
Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa’s wife, Shashi Weerawansa, arrived at the Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) to give a statement regarding a property transaction. MORE..
Over 100 MPs signed no-confidence motion against PM - Wimal
National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa says that the motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will be submitted today. 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..
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
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..
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..
Rajapaksa vows legal actions against those who make ‘baseless’ allegations
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says that he would not hesitate to take legal actions against those who make ‘baseless’ allegations about him. The observation was made at a special event held at the Matugama Nandana Temple on Wednesday (14) afternoon. 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...
UPDATE: Over 250 Sri Lankans evacuated in Qatar fire
Over 250 Sri Lankans evacuated unharmed after a fire broke out today in a dormitory in Qatar, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said. MORE..
Will bring no-confidence motion against Ranil - Wimal
Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa says that a motion of no confidence will be brought against Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe. MORE..
Mahinda rejects Mangala allegations
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today denied allegations by Foreign Minister Mangala Samarweera that he had siphoned off state monies during his tenure and that his family held assets worth US$18 billion overseas. MORE...
Sri Lanka sets September date for war crimes probe
Sri Lanka’s new government yesterday said an investigation into allegations of war crimes would begin by September, amid international pressure to account for atrocities committed during the island’s decades-long separatist conflict. MORE...
FUTA condemns attack on former president
Condemning the Friday’s attack on Dr Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri and Dr Kumudu Kusum Kumara, the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations today said that the incident is a grim reminder of the political culture that people thought they had defeated on January 08. MORE..
To restore democracy, the US will always stand with SL- Kerry
In order to restore democracy, the American people will stand with Sri Lanka, thus, the US will establish an annual partnership dialogue with the island nation, US Secretary of State John Kerry said.
Kerry’s Sri Lanka visit to ‘show US support’
Top US diplomat John Kerry left early Friday on a landmark trip to Sri Lanka, the first such visit in a decade to the Indian Ocean island as it returns to the diplomatic fold. MORE..
Myanmar releases 17 Sri Lankan fishermen on Presidential pardon
Seventeen Sri Lankan fishermen who were in custody in Myanmar on charges of breaching International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) have been released following a Presidential pardon. MORE..
Cop arrested for threatening to shoot Rahula Thero
A Police Constable (PC) who allegedly attempted to open fire at the Venerable Wanawasi Rahula Thero, founder of the Jathika Namal Uyana, has been arrested by Galkiriyagama Police. MORE..
57 MPs visit Mahinda Rajapaksa
Around fifty-seven Members of Parliament today visited former President Mahinda Rajapaksa at his Carlton House in Tangalle. MORE..
35-year-old dies following stabbing in Tissamaharama
A person has been stabbed and murdered using a sharp object in the Tissamaharama area. Police said that a clash between two groups near the Beralihela school had led to the stabbing. MORE..
SLFP appoints new members to Central Committee: sources
Replacing the sacked senior members, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) sources on Monday (13) announced its bid to appoint five new members to the party’s Central Committee. MORE...
Sri Lanka vows to remedy root causes of terrorism
The Sri Lankan Government today vowed to remedy the root causes of injustice, discrimination and prejudice that have spawned hate and violence for many decades in the country. MORE..
Govt to evacuate Sri Lankans in Yemen
The Government today said that it is making arrangements to evacuate all Sri Lankans in Yemen, considering the prevailing volatile situation in the Arab nation. MORE..
Pablo de Greiff to visit Sri Lanka today
UN Special Rapporteur on Truth, Justice, Reparations, and Guarantees of Non-recurrence, Pablo de Greiff, will arrive in Sri Lanka for a six-day visit, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said on Sunday (29). MORE...
Over 26 SLFP MPs attend Ratnapura rally
Over 26 Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Parliamentarians attend a public rally currently being held in Ratnapura urging Mahinda Rajapaksa to be nominated as the party’s Prime Ministerial candidate. MORE..
President Sirisena leaves for Beijing
President Maithripala Sirisena today left for Beijing commencing a four-day state visit on the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping. MORE..
Sri Lanka’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Tamara Kunanayakam, today accused Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera of playing on racist and chauvinist anti-Tamil sentiment and termed him as “unsuitable” to represent the country internationally. MORE..
Sri Lanka plans to lift ‘terrorist’ ban on Tamil groups
Sri Lanka’s new government has announced plans to remove 16 groups and hundreds of Tamils from a list of “foreign terrorists” as part of reconciliation with its largest ethnic minority. MORE...
Robbery at financial institution in Rawatawatta
Two unidentified men entered a financial institution in the Rawatawatta area in Moratuwa today and stole an unconfirmed sum of money, police said. MORE..
Man sentenced to death for possession of heroin
A man found guilty for the possession of 8 grams and 9 milligrams of heroin was sentenced to death by the Colombo High Court today. MORE..
Modi meets Rajapaksa, concludes Sri Lanka visit
In a personal gesture, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ended his two-day visit to Sri Lanka on Saturday with a meeting with the former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was ousted from power in elections in January. MORE..
We are going after Rajapaksa’s stolen assets: Mangala
The Sri Lankan government has asked India to help with its investigation against the former regime of Mahinda Rajapaksa for alleged corruption, Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera told The Hindu. MORE..
Rajapaksa says RAW rallied opposition to his presidency
Claiming that the Research and Analysis Wing conspired with “Western agencies” CIA and MI-6 to rally the opposition led by President Maithripala Sirisena against his presidency, Sri Lanka’s former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says he does not, however, believe Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the government was responsible. MORE..
Weerawansa questioned about his assets and liabilities
Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa is being questioned by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption in relation to his assets and liabilities, an official said. MORE...
India, Sri Lanka mull resuming ferry services
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday discussed with her Sri Lankan counterpart Mangala Samaraweera the possibility of resuming ferry services between the two countries, The Hindu reported. MORE..
Sushma says India, Sri Lanka destinies intertwined
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is here on a two-day official visit ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival next week, said India and Sri Lanka were bound by ties of history, geography and culture, and their destinies were intertwined. MORE..
DMK urges Modi to ensure ‘harsh comments’ are not made
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader TKS Elangovan on Saturday said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi must discuss the fishermen issue with Sri Lanka and ensure that such harsh comments are not made from the other side in near future. MORE..
President leaves for London on a three-day visit
President Maithripala Sirisena accompanied by First Lady Jayanthi Sirisena today left for the United Kingdom on a three-day official visit. MORE..
MR’s message read at rally in Kandy
A message from former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was read at the public rally currently being held in Kandy. MORE..
Sushma Swaraj arrives in Sri Lanka
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj arrived in the island today on a two-day official visit, in preparation for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit later this month. MORE..
Public opinion can’t be changed with threats – Rajapaksa
Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa says that public opinion cannot be changed with threats and intimidation and that it is wrong to prohibit SLFP members from attending rallies organized by other political parties. MORE..
UPDATE: Mangala slams ex-government’s policy
“With the previous government choosing to operate with a sense of impunity, opportunities for reconciliation and restoration of human rights suffered,” Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said. The observation was made at the 28th Regular Session of Human Rights Council in Geneva, this afternoon. MORE...
Govt. seeks foreign help in corruption probe
The government said that it has sought assistance from India, the US and Britain to help investigate financial fraud allegations against the former government. MORE...
Indian FM to visit Sri Lanka this week
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will arrive in Sri Lanka on a two-day official visit on March 6 to pave way for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the island nation in mid March, the foreign ministry officials said Sunday. MORE...
Minister Mangala to meet Zeid tomorrow
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaweera will travel to Geneva to attend the High-Level Segment of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to be held on March 2nd, 2015. MORE...
Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera concluded a successful two-day official visit to China today, during which he paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and also held extensive bilateral discussions with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. MORE...
China formally backs trilateral partnership with India, Sri Lanka
China on Friday formally backed a trilateral partnership with India and Sri Lanka to establish a Maritime Silk Road (MSR) and promote the rise of Eurasia. MORE..
Even wives of politicians must be protected from govt - MR
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today said that not only politicians but even their wives and children have to be safeguarded from the government now as they are being “harassed” one by one. MORE..
Sri Lanka says China to be consulted on any project re-think
Sri Lanka will not make any decision on Chinese projects it is reviewing until it consults China, Sri Lanka’s foreign minister said on Friday, pledging that his new government would welcome Chinese investors. MORE..
Shashi Weerawansa released on bail
Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa’s wife Shashi Weerawansa, who was arrested and remanded on charges of falsifying documents to obtain a diplomatic passport, has been granted bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. MORE..
Foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera left for a two day visit to China in a bid to strengthen relations, an official said here on Wednesday. MORE...
I too have falsified documents – Sannasgala
Popular author and tutor Upul Shantha Sannasgala says that the arrest of Shashi Weerawansa was not due to an issue with her, but an issue regarding her spouse ex-Minister “Wimal Weerawansa’s backbone.” MORE..
Shashi Weerawansa, the wife of ex-Minister Wimal Weerawansa was further remanded until 4 March by the Colombo Magistrate, this afternoon (25). MORE...
Court orders prison hospital to take charge of Wimal’s wife
The Colombo Chief Magistrate has directed the Prisons Hospital doctor to take charge of Shashi Weerawansa, who is being treated at a private hospital in Malabe while under arrest. MORE..
Ex-Minister Wimal Weerawansa on Monday (23) denied allegations leveled against his wife describing it as a “totally false” complaint. MORE...
Ex-Minister Wimal Weerawansa has been summoned to the Police Headquarters on Monday (23) morning and is being questioned by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers, a senior police officer told Ada Derana. MORE...
Wimal Weerawansa’s wife arrested
Shashi Weerawansa, wife of former Minister Wimal Weerawansa, who was under investigation for allegedly submitting forged documents to get a diplomatic passport, has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Police Spokesperson SSP Ajith Rohana said. MORE...
Sri Lanka to discuss domestic probe with UN
Sri Lanka’s government will next month look to win United Nations backing for a domestic probe into allegations of human rights violations during the final stage of the war, an official said today. MORE..
New Govt ends US lobbying contracts
In a sign of improving relations with the U.S., Sri Lanka has terminated lobbying contracts worth tens of thousands of dollars a month that the previous government had signed to help it win friends in Washington amid war crimes allegations, the nation’s ambassador says. MORE..
Goverment says foreign minister’s U.S. visit successful
The Sri Lankan government on Sunday said the just-concluded visit to the United States by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera was successful. MORE...
US hails post-election human rights climate in Sri Lanka
Samantha Power, the American ambassador to the United Nations, said on Saturday that it is “remarkable” to see the changed human rights climate in Sri Lanka, following the Presidential Election in January. MORE..
Mangala meets U.N. chief, urges war crimes report delay
Sri Lanka’s foreign minister met with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday, and U.N. diplomatic sources said he pressed his government’s desire to delay the release of a U.N. report on alleged war crimes during his country’s civil war. MORE..
Sri Lanka says seeking delay in UN war-crimes report
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said on Wednesday his country was seeking a delay of several months in the release of a U.N. report on alleged war crimes during his country’s civil war until the government had time to establish a mechanism to deal with the issue. MORE...
Mahinda Rajapaksa goes to jail
Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa spent time briefly at the main prison in Colombo visiting his recently acquired ally Tissa Attanayake. MORE...
Sri Lanka to strengthen ‘special friendship’ with China
Describing the bilateral relations between China and Sri Lanka as a ‘special friendship,’ Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed his desire to closely engage with the Chinese Government. MORE..
US security adviser Rice pledges help for Sri Lanka ‘transition’
The United States pledged on Friday to assist Sri Lanka’s new government in creating a more open and democratic society. MORE..
EU ban on fish imports from Sri Lanka not revoked
The European Union (EU) Thursday said the ban on fish import from Sri Lanka has not been lifted. MORE...
Gotabaya has still not given up hopes to topple the government- Rajitha
Revealing a confidential matter at TV Derana 360 programme, Minister Rajitha Senaratne last night alerted that the leftover elements of the previous government have still not given up hopes to topple the current government. MORE...