November 23, 2024 5:58 am
Results: 162
Sri Lanka’s bakery owners have decided to reduce the price of a loaf of bread (450g) by Rs 5 with effect from midnight tomorrow (February 26). MORE..
Jaffna incident: IGP admits shortcomings
We should admit the fact that there may have been shortcomings on the part of the police with respect of the incident in Jaffna which resulted in the deaths of two university students, IGP Pujith Jayasundara says. MORE...
Siva Senai in Sri Lanka gets Shiva Sena Support, Colombo Worried
Shiv Sena in Mumbai has extended its support to a new Sri Lankan Tamil outfit called Siva Senai, triggering concerns among the mainstream politicians of the island nation that sectarian outfits will reopen wounds of a 20-year-old civil war that ended only in 2009. MORE...
Jaffna University Conflict: Non-Fictional Clash of Clans?
(FEATURE) The violent argument that occurred in the University of Jaffna earlier this month has possibly left considerable doubt in the minds of Lankans: Are we falling prey to racism? Is peace an intricate luxury that we seemingly cannot afford? MORE.....
Sri Lanka will not be flooded by Indians - Harsha
Officials in Sri Lanka have described as “premature” the controversy currently raging in the island over the Lankan government’s intention to sign an Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) with India. MORE...
Lack of transparency in Chinese contracts were the concern – Harsha
Our major concern was the lack of transparency with the way infrastructure projects were originally awarded to the Chinese, Deputy Minister Foreign Affairs Harsha Desilva said in an interview. Speaking to Finance Asia he added that where we could, we were able re-negotiate and restructure the contracts to bring the overall costs down. MORE...
Information bank for economic diplomacy to be established soon - Harsha
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Harsha de Silva says that a ‘Knowledge Platform’, an online internet information bank is being set up by the ministry to promote economic diplomacy and that it would be launched by the end of the first quarter of 2016. 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...
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...
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..
Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption efforts not rhetorical – Harsha
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Harsha de Silva says that at the international level Sri Lanka’s commitment to contributing to efforts to combat corruption remains strengthened as never before specially following the democratic changes in country this year. 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...
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...
Danuna Tilakaratne acquitted in Hicorp case
The Colombo High Court today acquitted Danuna Tilakaratne from the Hicorp fraud case. Thilakaratne, former son-in-law of ex-Army Commander Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, had surrendered to Colombo High Court in December last year and was released on bail. 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...
Nauru allows Lankan asylum-seekers to roam freely
Nauru announced Monday (Oct 5) that asylum-seekers, including those from Sri Lanka, at an Australian immigration camp on the Pacific island will no longer be locked up, saying they will instead be free to roam around the tiny nation. 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..
SL army saved Tamil civilians, LTTE killed them, says Fonseka
Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, who commanded the Sri Lankan army during Eelam War IV, says that it was the LTTE which targeted Tamil civilians and not the Lankan armed forces. 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...
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..
Harsha focusing on economic diplomacy
Deputy Foreign Minister Dr Harsha de Silva today said that the main economic issue in Sri Lanka is the weaknesses in the country’s economic relations with other countries. MORE..
Two more Deputy Ministers appointed
Two more Deputy Ministers have been sworn in before President Maithripala Sirisena on Thursday. MORE..
AG claims witness intimidation in Thajudeen case
The Attorney General today informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate regarding the alleged intimidation of witnesses in the murder case of former Sri Lankan Rugby player Wasim Thajudeen. 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..
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...
Couldn’t win the war without China’s help: SF
Sri Lanka will maintain the close relationship with China that provided strong support to help Sri Lanka end its 30-year civil war with the Tamil Tiger rebels in May 2009, a leading military officer has said. 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..
Dr. Thenuwara appointed new President of FUTA
Dr. Chandragupta Thenuwara, of University of Peradeniya has been appointed as the new President of the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA). 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..
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...
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...
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...
Grade five scholarship examination tomorrow
The grade five scholarship examination will be held on Sunday (23) at 2907 centres countrywide. MORE...
Sri Lanka seeks to emulate Singapore as war legacy fades - Harsha
Sri Lanka is moving past its history of ethnic strife and seeking to emulate Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai as one of the region’s premier trading and financial hubs, Harsha De Silva told Bloomberg. 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.
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...
Three held with over 1,300 model ballot papers
Thalathuoya Police today arrested three suspects and seized 1,324 model ballot papers being transported in a three-wheeler from Kandahandiya to Galaha. 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..
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..
Eksath Senaratna case: parents withdraw petition
The petitioner, who accused Cabinet Spokesperson Rajitha Senaratna’s son of abducting his underage daughter, has withdrawn the petition he had filed at the Colombo High Court, Ada Derana Court reporter said. MORE...
Enjoining order preventing SLFP’s CC meeting extended till Aug 24
The enjoining order preventing the Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) from convening without the consent of the party’s Chairman, has been extended until August 24 by the Colombo District Court. MORE..
Three PSD officers involved in Thajudeen’s murder, says Rajitha
Cabinet Spokesperson Rajitha Senaratne on Thursday (06) charged that three officials attached to the Presidential Security Division (PSD) have allegedly involved in the murder of former Sri Lankan Rugby player, Wasim Thajudeen, who had died under suspicious circumstances. MORE...
Former LTTE members seek self-rule for Tamils
The Crusaders for Democracy, a group of former members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), on Tuesday urged the Sri Lankan government to “honour its commitments” made in the past at the international level on the Tamil question. MORE...
Railway unions to stage strike from midnight today
Train services around the country would likely come to a standstill from midnight today following a strike called by the Joint Trade Union Alliance (JTUA) of Railway Employees. MORE...
UN document leaked to undermine September’s rights report: Channel 4
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Channel 4 News has reported that a leaked UN document raises concerns over the prospects for genuine justice for the Sri Lankan victims of alleged war crimes. MORE...
Australia may return Sri Lankan asylum seekers
Sri Lankan asylum-seekers intercepted at sea could be handed back to their home countries if a Labor government assessed they were not owed refugee protection, Leader of the Australian Labor Party Bill Shorten has said. MORE...
A/L tuition classes, seminars banned from July 29
The conducting of tuition classes, seminars, workshops and printing model papers targeting students sitting for the 2015 G.C.E. Advanced Level examination has been prohibited with effect from midnight on Wednesday (July 29) until the exams end on September 08. MORE..
Lankan asylum seekers killed in Australian road crash
The two men who died in a crash in Darwin on Wednesday night were Tamil asylum seekers from Sri Lanka who came to Australia for a better life, their friends have 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...
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...
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..
Showers, thundershowers in sea areas
Sea area extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota will be rough at times as the winds can strengthen up to 60 kmph at times while other sea areas around the island may be fairly rough at times, the Met 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...
MoU of ‘Good Governance’ alliance signed
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the formation of the “United National Front for Good Governance,” which is to contest the upcoming General Election under the UNP’s “Elephant” symbol, was signed at the Temple Trees, today (12). MORE...
Reginald, Amunugama opt out of electoral contest; Sudarshani to go with UPFA
Former MP Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle says that she will not contest the forthcoming General Election from any party other than the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA). 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..
No final decision on nominations yet, says Rajitha
A final decision has not been taken by the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) on whom to give nominations at the forthcoming election, Cabinet Spokesperson Rajitha Senaratne said. 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 to invite foreign observers for parliamentary polls
Sri Lanka will invite foreign observers for the parliamentary elections due to take place on August 17, election monitors said on Saturday. 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..
Teen brothers murder man over ‘dishwater’ incident
Two teenage brothers, from the same family, have been arrested in connection with the murder of 42-year-old man in Dodangoda, Kalutara. MORE..
Migrants say Australia paid smugglers to turn back
Indonesia’s foreign minister on Saturday demanded answers from Canberra over claims that Australian officials paid thousands of dollars to turn a boat back to Indonesia after Prime Minister Tony Abbott refused to deny the allegations. MORE..
Air Marshal Gunatilleke appointed new CDS
Air Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke has been appointed as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) with effect from June 16, the Air Force Spokesman said. MORE..
MPs who failed A/L questioning CC nominees’ qualifications - CaFFE
A number of MPs have used the debate on the composition of the Constitution Council (CC) and the appointment of civil members to the CC to derail the progress made by the 19th amendment to the constitution, a Sri Lankan election watchdog said. 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..
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..
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..
India unsafe if Sri Lanka is not kept secure – Seneviratne
Sri Lanka has recalled its envoy to India Sudharshan Seneviratne, within a year of his appointment and just when bilateral ties were looking up between the two neighbours. MORE..
SLFP Parliamentarians Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Chandrasiri Sooriyaarachchi, Hemal Gunasekara and Pandu Bandaranayake have received ministerial portfolios. 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..
I don’t think Mahinda is mentally retarded- says Rajitha
Mahinda Rajapaksa will lose his privileges as a former President, if he contests at the next general election, Cabinet Spokesperson Rajitha Senaratne affirmed. 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..
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...
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..
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...
Several Ministers to resign today
Several ministers of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) are set to resign from their respective portfolios today. MORE..
Sarath Fonseka’s parliament seat ruling on June 29
The court of appeal will rule on June 29 on the petition filed by Democratic Party leader, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, seeking an order to reclaim his lost Parliamentary seat and revoke the appointment of Parliamentarian Jayantha Ketagoda. MORE...
ITJP seeks info about 110 surrendered Tamil Tigers
The International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) Sri Lanka, headed by South African rights activist Yasmin Sooka, has asked the Sri Lankan government to give information about the whereabouts of 110 LTTE leaders who had surrendered to the Lankan military in full public view on May 18, 2009. MORE..
Road to be named after Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka
The road linking Ananda Mawatha and Ketawalamulla Road in Colombo 10 is to be named after Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka today (19) by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), the Government Information Department (GID) said in a statement. MORE...
Egypt’s Mohamed Morsi sentenced to death
An Egyptian court sentenced deposed Islamist president Mohamed Morsi and more than 100 other defendants to death on Saturday over jail breaks during the 2011 uprising. MORE..
Govt urges Saudi to raise minimum wage of housemaids
Sri Lanka has requested the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to increase the minimum wage of SR900 set for its domestic workers because of the rising cost of living in the island. MORE..
Heavy rain fall expected in parts of the country
The Department of Meteorology says that under the influence of Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), the possibility for rain and lightning activities over the country still persists. MORE..
Special teams to probe into missing persons
A few days after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry urged the Sri Lankan government to pursue vigorously complaints on missing persons and take the cooperation of the United Nations and the International Red Cross, the Presidential Commission on Missing Persons has announced its move to have four special teams to probe such complaints. MORE...
Ex-constable arrested for impersonating an ASP
A person has been arrested for allegedly impersonating an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) during a procession (perahera) of a Buddhist Temple in Badulla. MORE..
1,400 prisoners released under general amnesty
The Department of Prisons says that a group of 1,400 prisoners will be given a general amnesty in lieu of the Vesak Poya Day which marks the three noble events of Buddha’s life. MORE..
Five jailed in The Hague for supporting Tamil Tigers
Five Dutch nationals of Sri Lankan origin have been jailed for between 19 months and six years three months for raising money for the Tamil Tigers, which has been on the EU’s official list of terrorist organisations since 2006. MORE..
Two uni students arrested for damaging public property
Two university students arrested on charges of causing damage to public property during a protest opposite the UGC yesterday have been remanded until May 11, police said. MORE..
I never interfered to secure the release of an impounded container: Senasinghe
Deputy Justice Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe on Tuesday (28) dismisses allegations that he interfered to customs affairs in a bid to secure the release of an impounded container of copper rods, thus, he would instigate legal action against a print media institution that published an article to sling mud at him. MORE...
19th amendment hits another roadblock?
(UPDATE): The Parliamentary session was extended by one hour due to the discussion between Party Leaders with the participation of President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa. MORE..
AUDIO: Sri Lanka dispatches emergency relief assistance to Nepal, creates hotline
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Kathmandu has established a hotline for any inquiries regarding Sri Lankan nationals residing Nepal, in wake of the powerful earthquake that shook the country and Northern India. MORE..
Amnesty for army absentees ends
The recently declared General Amnesty period of Sri Lanka Army has come to an end today (25th April 2015), said Military Spokesperson, Brigadier Jayanath Jayaweera while speaking to the media. MORE..
New govt’s policies have created positive environment: Ban Ki-moon
Welcoming the new Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has stated that a positive environment has been created by the policies of the new government in Sri Lanka for a greater collaboration with the United Nations and the international community. MORE..
President appeals to parties to help adopt 19th Amendment
President Maithripala Sirisena today appealed to all political parties to assist in passing the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in order to firmly establishing freedom and democracy in the country. MORE..
SLFP decides to vote in favour of 19A
The SLFP Central Committee has unanimously decided to vote in favour of the 19th amendment to the Constitution a short while ago, Minister Rajitha Senaratne told Ada Derana. MORE..
Court sentences ousted Egypt president to 20 years in prison
An Egyptian criminal court on Tuesday sentenced ousted Islamist President Mohammad Morsi to 20 years in prison over the killing of protesters in 2012, the first verdict to be issued against the country’s first freely elected leader. MORE...
Sri Lankan asylum seekers on Nauru set to go to Cambodia
Five asylum seekers from Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Iran have agreed to be among the first to leave the Pacific island nation of Nauru for Cambodia under a deal that allows refugees rejected by Australia to be resettled in the Southeast Asian country, a refugee advocate said Monday. MORE...
Teenage lovers leap to their deaths at Diyaluma Falls
Two teenage lovers committed suicide by jumping from the top of the Diyaluma Falls this evening. MORE..
Govt vows to protect freedom of the Internet
The Sri Lankan government says that it has adopted several policy and institutional measures to combat internet crimes, whilst protecting the freedom of the Internet. MORE..
World’s first self-powered video camera developed
The world’s first self-powered video camera that runs without a battery and can produce an image each second has been developed by researchers led by an Indian-origin scientist. MORE..
Sri Lankan maid pleads not guilty to arson charge
A Sri Lankan housemaid accused of setting her Bahraini employer’s home on fire before fleeing has appeared in court for the first time to plead not guilty. MORE..
Army extends amnesty offered to absentees
Sri Lanka Army had decided to extend the general amnesty period offered for Army absentees, enabling them to receive their legal discharge from service. MORE..
Two brothers intentionally run over after dispute
Two brothers were killed and another person critically wounded after they were intentionally run over by a lorry driver in the Kehelulla area in Padiyathalawa. MORE..
SLFP says no to 19 A, if electoral reforms are not included
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) will comply with the new Government to pass the draft bill on the 19th Amendment, if constitutional changes take place for new electoral reforms, the opposition said on Wednesday (8). MORE...
UN Assistant Secretary-General meets Harsha de Silva
The Visiting UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP’s Regional Director Haoliang Xu, had discussions with the Deputy Minister of Policy Planning and Economic Affairs, Dr. Harsha de Silva on Monday (6). MORE...
Send firm message to Sri Lanka, OPS tells Indian PM
Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take up the arrest of 37 fisherman from Nagapattinam at the highest diplomatic-level and secure their release and 18 boats now in the custody of Sri Lankan Navy. MORE...
Four held with gold, foreign currency worth over Rs 5.4m
Four persons including 2 women have been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) when they attempted to leave the country with gold and foreign currency estimated to be worth over Rs 5.4 million. MORE..
Clash between uni students, police regrettable: PMO
The Prime Minister’s Office says the clash between protesting university students and police personnel was “regrettable” and that protesters refusing to allow their representatives to hand over the memorandum had resulted in yesterday’s unfortunate incident. MORE..
Police probe violent clashes between students and police
The police on Wednesday launched an investigation into the violent clashes which erupted between local university students and the police on Tuesday resulting in several people being injured. MORE...
SLFP to propose new reforms to 19 A
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on Wednesday (1) said that it will propose new reforms to the draft bill on the 19th Amendment. MORE...
Sri Lankan jailed over abusing woman at knifepoint
A Sri Lankan cook has been jailed for five years and two months for getting drunk and then forcing himself on his female colleague and raping her at knifepoint at her friend’s flat in Dubai. MORE..
3 Sri Lankans held for human smuggling
The Tamil Nadu ‘Q’ branch police have arrested three Sri Lankan Tamils for illegally migrating the refugees from the special camps to Australia. MORE..
Fonseka to continue in politics while protecting respect
Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka says he will continue to engage in active politics while safeguarding the respect for his new uniform. MORE..
Sri Lanka has many lessons to share: UN
“The findings in the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) country report make a strong case for Sri Lanka to be a leading and credible actor in the global deliberations around the development agenda for post-2015,” UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Subinay Nandy said. MORE...
Rameswaram fishermen launch indefinite strike
Fishermen in Rameswaram launched an indefinite strike on Monday demanding the release of 54 fishers who were apprehended by the Sri Lankan navy on Saturday night. MORE..
Arachchikattuwa PS member arrested for impersonating a cop
A UPFA member of the Arachchikattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha, M. Prabath Fernanado, has been arrested in the Wella area in Chilaw for allegedly impersonating a police officer. MORE..
Free arrested fishermen before talks - Tamil Nadu CM
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam has sought Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention for the immediate release of 54 fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy on Sunday. MORE..
Sarath Fonseka bestowed with Field Marshal title
The Government on Sunday (22) awarded the Field Marshal title to former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka for the yeoman service rendered by him, achieving the victory over terrorism. MORE...
President Maithripala Sirisena today appointed eleven new Cabinet Ministers, five State Ministers and ten Deputy Ministers at a ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, a short while ago. MORE..
President halts all police transfers
President Maithripala Sirisena has ordered to halt all police transfers with immediate effect, the Presidential Media Unit said. MORE...
Sri Lankan Muslims won’t fall prey to ISIS trap – Fonseka
Former Sri Lanka army chief General Sarath Fonseka urged India and Pakistan to speedily resolve the Kashmir issue, adding that countries of the region should start behaving like neighbours. MORE..
Anura Yapa questioned by police over CPC losses
UPFA MP Anura Priyadharshana Yapa is being questioned by the Police Special Investigations Unit (SIU) in connection with the Rs 35 million in losses incurred by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), during his tenure as Minister of Petroleum Industries. MORE..
Stipulated prices for three food items
The Consumer Affairs Authority has introduced stipulated prices for three food items, with effective from Thursday (19). MORE...
Restraining order on Harbour protesters
The Colombo Magistrate on Tuesday (17) issued a restraining order on the officials of Harbour Container Transport Union preventing them from blocking the entrance to the Harbour. MORE...
11 more trade unions join container truck drivers’ strike
Eleven more trade unions have today joined to the strike action launched by container truck drivers at the entrance to the Colombo Port. MORE..
Interim report on missing persons this week
The Presidential Commission to Investigate into Complaints Regarding Missing Persons is to hand in an interim report to the President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday, the President Media Unit said in a statement. MORE...
Vigneswaran hits out at PM’s remarks
After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jaffna, the Chief Minister of Tamil-majority region in Sri Lanka hit out at Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe for his controversial comments on shooting trespassing Indian fishermen. MORE...
President Sirisena appointed UPFA Chairman
President Maithripala Sirisena has been appointed as the Chairman of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA), a party source said on Sunday (15). MORE...
Court issues notice on six including Finance Minister
The Appeal Court today (12 March) issued notices on six including Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, Secretary to the Treasury, Deputy Secretary to the Treasury and Director General of Customs. MORE..
Lankan jailed for molesting 13-year-old girl on flight
A 45-year-old Sri Lankan, who allegedly groped a 13-year-old girl who was travelling alone in a flight, has been sentenced to one year in jail. MORE..
ASP Ruwan Gunasekara appointed Police Spokesman
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ruwan Gunasekara has been appointed as the new Police Media Spokesman. MORE..
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Minor earth tremors were reported in several parts in the Polonnaruwa district at around 8.20 pm today (11), the Disaster Management Centre said. MORE...
Court acquits General Sarath Fonseka
The Colombo High Court on Monday (9) acquitted General Sarath Fonseka of all charges in harbouring Army deserters case. MORE...
TN wants bilateral fishermen talks with SL after mid-March
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs is working on fixing a fresh date for holding third round of talks between fishermen of Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu after the State government informed that it would be difficult to host it on March 11 as proposed by the island nation. MORE..
Canada spent $600,000 on MV Sun Sea before deciding to scrap
Almost five years after a derelict cargo ship with 492 Sri Lankan migrants arrived off the B.C. coast, prompting a change in Canada’s immigration laws, the government has failed to find a buyer for the vessel. MORE..
Final report on missing persons this month
The final report prepared by the Presidential Commission to Investigate into Complaints Regarding Missing Persons is to be presented to President Maithripala Sirisena in mid March. MORE...
Tamil families demand U.N. probe of missing members
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Families of the several missing people in Sri Lanka’s war-ravaged north and east have demanded a United Nations team to launch an investigation to locate their family members. MORE...
UN supports a credible domestic probe in Sri Lanka
The United Nations supports a credible domestic process that meets international standards to investigate allegations of war crimes in Sri Lanka, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffery Feltman said. MORE..
SLFP politicos barred from attending other party rallies
The Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has decided to prohibit people’s representatives of the party from participating in public rallies organized by other political parties, without approval from the party. MORE..
Bus strike on Kandy-Colombo route
Inter-provincial private buses operating on the Kandy-Colombo route have resorted to a strike action, since this morning, President of the Lanka Private Bus Owners Association Gemunu Wijerathne said. MORE...
Missing persons hearing continues amid protests
The presidential commission investigating cases of missing persons has continued hearing on missing persons cases amid protests by Tamil groups who are demanding a credible investigation into such issues. MORE...
Bus strike on Tangalle-Colombo route
Private buses operating on the Tangalle-Colombo route have resorted to a strike action since this morning, President of the Lanka Private Bus Owners Association Gemunu Wijerathne said. MORE...
Tamil Nadu CM seeks Modi’s help to release fishermen
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Friday sought urgent intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure the early release of fishermen from Tamil Nadu and their boats held by Sri Lankan Navy on February 26. MORE..
Lankan jailed for molesting a 10-year-old girl in wheelchair
A Sri Lankan worker has been jailed for three months for molesting a 10-year-old girl on a wheelchair in a Dubai store where he worked and performed a lewd act in front of her. MORE..
Ex-Police Spokesman set to make special disclosure
Former Police Media Spokesman SSP Prashantha Jayakody, who left for Australia in 2013 after alleging unduly political pressure during his execution of police duties, is set to return to the country today. MORE...
Traffic jam due to protest near UGC
Severe traffic congestion has been reported near Ward Place in Colombo and nearby roads due to a protest in front of the University Grants Commission (UGC). MORE..
Sri Lanka: Killing of 21 Egyptians by IS ‘a crime against humanity’
The Government of Sri Lanka today condemned the gruesome killing of twenty one Coptic Christian Egyptians by the terrorist group, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Libya last Sunday. MORE..
Lankan accused of groping 13-year-old girl flying alone
A 45-year-old Sri Lankan vendor, who allegedly groped a 13-year-old girl travelling alone in a flight, has been charged with molestation in the Dubai Court of First Instance. MORE..
SLFP appoints new National Organiser, Treasurer and VP
(UPDATE) The Executive Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has appointed MP Susil Premajantha as the party’s National Organiser and SB Nawinne as the Treasurer while Anura Priyadarshana Yapa is to remain as the General Secretary. MORE..
Karunanidhi wants India to move resolution against Sri Lanka
DMK president M Karunanidhi on Friday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider moving a resolution in the UNHRC against Sri Lanka over alleged genocide and wanted India to support adoption of a human rights violation report in the world body. MORE..
School girl’s body found after suspected double suicide
The body of a 15-year-old school girl has been fished out from the Deduru Oya Reservoir this morning, two days after she allegedly jumped into the reservoir with a teenage boy in an apparent double suicide. MORE..
Body of missing teen found in Deduru Oya; search continues for girl
As a result of search operations launched from yesterday after two teenagers – a boy and a girl - allegedly jumped into the Deduru Oya Reservoir, authorities today recovered the body of the 15-year-old boy. MORE..
Sri Lanka’s fiscal targets pressured by weak trend of revenues, Moody’s says
Sri Lanka’s new budget continues the fiscal consolidation, but there are risks that revenue targets are not met while higher expenditure may revive inflation in the island nation, Moody’s Investors Service said. MORE..
Rights group says SL workers abused at Abu Dhabi worksites
Human Rights Watch on Tuesday accused an Abu Dhabi company building local branches of the Louvre and Guggenheim museums of mistreating its migrant workers from Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, despite some improvements five years after the group first raised concerns. MORE...
CAA instructed to ‘move fast’ on errant traders
Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen has instructed the Consumers Affairs Authority (CAA) to ‘move fast on errant traders’ who fail to give the recent budgetary benefits to Sri Lankan consumers. 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..
Ada Derana ranked most popular website in Sri Lanka
www.adaderana.lk – the official web portal of Sri Lanka’s most renowned News brand – has been ranked Sri Lanka’s most popular local website by Alexa Web Information Service, a subsidiary of Amazon.com. MORE..
Seven hospitalised after J’pura students clash
Seven students were wounded and hospitalised follwing a clash between two student groups at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura this evening. MORE..
Transfer of 10,000 police officers postponed to May
The transfer of nearly 10,000 police officers scheduled for February 01 has been postponed to May 01. Police Headquarters, in a communiqué, said that the transfer orders will come into effect from May 01, 2015. MORE..
2015 Interim Budget presented in Parliament
Ravi Karunanayake, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, presented the interim Budget for the fiscal year of 2015 to Parliament, a short while ago. MORE...