November 22, 2024 12:02 am
Results: 79
2016 Budget second reading passed
The second reading of the 2016 Budget was passed in Parliament today with a majority of 107 votes. A total of 159 members voted in favour while 52 voted against. 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..
Sumanthiran calls for removal of Wigneswaran from TNA
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) says that while a proposal has been made to ITAK calling for the removal of Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran from the TNA, it is not the opinion of the entire party. MORE..
CID extends detention order on Pillayan till Dec 10
The Colombo Chief Magistrate today permitted the CID to detain and question former Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan, who was arrested in connection with the murder of ex-MP Joseph Pararajasingham, till December 10 under detention orders. MORE..
The former Chief Minister of the Eastern Province Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan has been summoned to appear at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to give a statement in connection with a murder incident. MORE..
TNA hails U.S.-backed resolution on Sri Lanka
The draft resolution on Sri Lanka tabled at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) by the U.S. and other countries has addressed the main issues of accountability and reconciliation, according to the Tamil National Alliance leader, R. Sampanthan. MORE...
Wigneswaran lashes out at concentration of power in his party
Northern Province Chief Minister C.V.Wigneswaran publicly lashed out at “concentration of power” in the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), the party to which he belongs. MORE...
Move resolution for probe into Sri Lanka war crimes: PUCL
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The India’s People Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has called upon the Centre, as a member of the UN Human Rights Council, to move a resolution calling for a credible, independent, international investigation into the violations of humanitarian and human rights laws. MORE...
India has to maintain friendly relations with Sri Lanka: Venkaiah Naidu
Reiterating the Narendra Modi government’s stand on relationship with Sri Lanka, India’s Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said on Saturday that India has to maintain friendly relations with its neighbour. MORE...
TNA commends govt’s willingness to co-sponsor resolution
The Tamil National Alliances (TNA) today welcomed the draft text of a resolution on Sri Lanka tabled by the co-sponsors of the resolution at the UN Human Rights Council. 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..
Indian Government urged to study Lanka resolution by TN Assembly
Indian Union Minister of State for Shipping, Pon Radhakrishnan, has said the Centre would analyse the contents of the resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly (TNA) on the Sri Lankan issue and will take an informed decision, The Hindu newspaper reported 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..
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..
Sampanthan as Opposition Leader gives hope - DMK
DMK President M Karunanidhi today welcomed the appointment of Tamil National Alliance leader R Sampanthan as the Leader of Opposition in Sri Lankan Parliament, saying it has given hope for the Tamils in the island nation. 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..
Culture of excessive number of ministers must end - Sampanthan
Sri Lanka’s new Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan today said that while a national government in the present context in the country may be a national need, it would have been better if the two parties would have been able to come together without an increase in the number of ministries. MORE..
Sampanthan appointed Opposition Leader
TNA parliamentary group leader and Trincomalee District MP R. Sampanthan has been appointed as the Opposition Leader of the 8th Parliament. MORE..
Mano wants Sambandan as opposition leader
The post of Leader of the Opposition should be given to TNA leader R. Sambandan, Democratic People’s Front (DPF) leader Mano Ganesan says. MORE...
Tamil parties turn down U.S. call for internal ‘war crimes’ probe
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Leaders representing three constituents of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) have rejected the stand of the U.S., which favoured a domestic investigation mechanism on alleged crimes during the final stages of the Eelam War. MORE...
ITAK wants Opposition Leader post
The Ilankai Thamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) today said that the party’s Parliamentary Group Leader must thus be recognized as the Leader of the Opposition in accordance with Parliamentary practice and convention as they have now emerged as the largest political party in Opposition in Sri Lanka’s Parliament. 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..
Support a party which can address our issues, asks Wigneswaran
Northern Provincial Council’s Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran, who decided to stay “neutral” for the parliamentary elections, called upon Tamils to support a party which stood for retaining Tamil identity and safeguarding the right to self-determination.
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...
Major parties reject TNA’s demand for federalism
Major political parties in Sri Lanka have flatly rejected the Tamil National Alliance (TNA)’s demand for federalism. MORE...
Will not allow anyone to tear the country into pieces, says Mahinda
It is yet a secret that what types of pacts have been signed between the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the United National Party (UNP), former President Mahinda Rajapaksa claims. MORE...
Fire breaks out at CB Ratnayake’s house
A fire had broken out in a three-storied house belonging to former Minister C.B. Ratnayake located at Subadrarama Mawatha in Madiwela this morning. MORE..
Six arrested for abducting Sagala’s supporters
Police today arrested 6 suspects in connection with the abduction of two men, who were pasting posters of UNP Matara District candidate Sagala Ratanayake, and their three-wheeler in the Diyalape area in Akuressa. MORE..
Nalaka Thero reveals Champika’s alleged plan
In a bid to fulfill the demands of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), a pact has been signed between the United National Party (UNP) and Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero, Convener of the National Joint Committee, Gunadasa Amarasekara said. MORE...
MR to pay attention to TNA’s reasonable demands
A fair consideration will be paid to sort out the reasonable demands of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the former President said. MORE...
TNA reiterates self determination, North-East re-merger
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA), a coalition of four parties in Sri Lanka, on Saturday reiterated its adherence to the right to self determination for Tamils and the re-merger of the Northern and Eastern Provinces under federal structure. 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...
Kalawana OIC among 3 cops suspended
Three police officers including the officer-in-charge (OIC) of the Kalawana Police Station have been suspended for allegedly neglecting duties. MORE..
Ten ex-LTTE members to contest election?
Crusaders for Democracy (CFD), an organization of ex-LTTE cadre and their supporters, will be putting up ten former militants in the Jaffna-Kilinochchi electoral district for the August 17 Sri Lankan parliamentary elections, the New India Express reported. 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..
Rajitha confirms new alliance with UNP
Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine Dr Rajitha Senaratna today said that they will not reverse the promise made to the public at the recent Presidential Election, to establish good governance within the country. MORE..
Paranavitana turns down UPFA nominations
Karunaratne Paranavitana has turned down nominations extended to him from the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) to contest the forthcoming General Election from the Ratnapura District. MORE..
Ex-LTTE cadres to contest as independent group
Former cadres of LTTE have decided to contest the Sri Lankan parliament elections as an independent group after the main Tamil party TNA refused to field them in the August 17 polls. MORE..
Former LTTE militants to contest polls as ‘Crusaders For Democracy’
Former militants of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and their supporters have decided to form a political party named “Crusaders for Democracy” and seek tickets from the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to contest the August 17 Sri Lankan parliamentary elections. MORE..
Murder in Nivithigala: First casualty of election?
A 38-year-old man who was critically wounded following an attack with sharp objects by an unknown group of individuals while he was riding a motorcycle in Nivithigala-Ratnapura, has succumbed to injuries after being admitted to hospital. 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..
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..
Minority parties didn’t raise their voices properly - Rajitha
Cabinet Spokesman and Health Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratna says that a final decision will be reached regarding the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, introducing electoral reforms, at the special cabinet meeting to be held on Friday (12). 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..
Three-wheeler used in Raviraj assassination found – CID
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that the three-wheeler which is believed to have been used in the assassination of the former TNA Parliamentarian Nadarajah Raviraj, has been located. MORE..
Raviraj Assasination: Five navy personnel remanded
Five navy personnel arrested over the 2006 assassination of TNA MP Nadarajah Raviraj have been remanded until June 5 by the Colombo Magistrate Courts. MORE...
AUDIO : Remembrance week for war dead - Sivajilingam
A remembrance week for Tamils killed in the last phase of conflict will be held from May 12-18, TNA Northern Provincial Councillor M.K. Sivajilingam said today. He added that commemoration events will be held in Tamil Nadu in line with those in Sri Lanka. MORE...
Term of LG bodies will not be extended – Rajitha
The term of the local government bodies that were extended until May 15 will not be further extended and would dissolve automatically, Cabinet Spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said. MORE..
TNA shared its vision for a united Sri Lanka - Kerry
US Secretary of State John Kerry says that it was interesting to hear Sri Lanka’s Tamil leaders share their vision for a united and peaceful Sri Lanka, even though there are difficult issues still to “get over.” MORE..
Kerry holds talks TNA, backs justice for Tamils
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry ended a visit to Sri Lanka Sunday after pledging support for minority Tamils following decades of ethnic war, a local Tamil politician said. MORE..
ITAK ‘entitled’ to post of Opposition Leader
Weighing in on the standoff over the Opposition Leader post, Sri Lanka’s main Tamil party today said that no MP elected from the UPFA or UNP can hold the position and that the ITAK is entitled to it, having the next highest number of representatives. MORE..
Four dead, 1 injured after gem mine collapses
Four persons were killed and another person wounded due to the collapsing of an earth embankment at a gem mine in Gileemale, Ratnapura. MORE..
Prabhakran is my Leader, but Modi is my Political Model - Sritharan
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP from Jaffna district, Sivagnanam Sritharan, who was once a bitter critic of India during the war, has undergone a major political makeover and now believes the problems of Sri Lankan Tamils cannot be solved without the India’s help. MORE..
Soldier dead, 28 injured in army truck-bus collision
Two soldiers were killed while another 28 persons were wounded following a traffic collision involving an Army truck and a passenger transport bus in Ratnapura new town today. MORE..
Obama honours Sri Lankan science mentor
An Indian-American and a Sri Lankan-origin scientist and teacher are among fourteen individuals and one organization named winners of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM). 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..
National Govt: SLFP the only loser – Gammanpila
Leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, Provincial Councilor Udaya Gammanpila, says that there is a risk of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) being offered the position for Opposition Leader. MORE..
Colombo HC issues notice on Rajitha and son
The Colombo High Court today issued notice on Minister Rajitha Senaratna and his son Eksath Senaratna to appear before the court on April 02 in connection with the case filed against the alleged abduction of an underage girl. MORE..
Be patient with Sri Lankan govt.: Modi to TNA
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Sri Lanka’s Tamils to be patient with the new government in Colombo, The Hindu learns from sources. MORE..
AG gets six more months to decide on KP
The Court of Appeal on Thursday (26) granted more time for the Attorney General’s Department to submit a comprehensive report with respect to the Writ Application filed against Shanmugam Kumaran Tharmalingam alias Kumaran Pathmanathan (KP). 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...
TNA slams delay in UN rights report
Sri Lanka’s main Tamil party has expressed dismay over the UN’s decision to delay a report on the human rights situation in the country describing it as “justice delayed is justice denied”. MORE...
TNA: Enforce Witness Protection Act as it is
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is happy that the parliament has passed the Victims of Crimes and Witnesses Protection Act at long last. But it insists that the Act will be only as good as it is implemented. MORE...
Daya Ratnayake promoted to rank of General
The outgoing Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake who formally retired from the Army on Saturday (21) has been promoted to the rank of four star General effective from today by the President Maithripala Sirisena. MORE..
Chrishantha De Silva appointed new Army Commander
Former Chief of Staff of the Army Major General Chrishantha de Silva has been appointed as the 21st Commander of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) by President Maithripala Sirisena. MORE..
SC rejects Kumar Gunaratnam’s petition
The petition filed by Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) Central Committee Member Kumar Gunaratnam seeking to prevent him from being arrested and deported from the country has been dismissed by the Supreme Court on Wednesday (18). MORE...
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has decided to accept two ministerial portfolios and the deputy chairmanship of the Eastern Provincial Council. MORE..
Defence Ministry denies new Army Chief’s appointment
The Defence Ministry on Tuesday (17) denied reports that measures are underway to appoint a new Army Commander. MORE...
UPDATE: 15 Major Generals and 3 Brigadiers transferred
Fifteen Major Generals and three Brigadiers of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) have been transferred with immediate effect, army spokesman Brigadier Jayanath Jayaweera told Ada Derana. 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..
Bid to bring ex-LTTE cadre into Tamil political mainstream
N. Vithyatharan, former editor of popular pro-LTTE Tamil dailies Sudar Oli and Uthayan, has started a movement to bring into the Tamil political mainstream, former LTTE cadre and their supporters, who are either out rightly rejected or discriminated against by existing Tamil political organizations like ITAK and TNA. MORE..
Ten high-ranking army officers reinstated
Ten high-ranking army officers including a Major General, who were sent on compulsory leave following the 2010 Presidential Election, have been reinstated, a spokesman said. MORE..
India must push Sri Lanka on 13A - Sampanthan
The Indian government must continue pushing the Sri Lankan government towards the implementation of the 13th Amendment, Leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) R. Sampanthan said. MORE..
SC bars deportation of Kumar Gunaratnam until Feb 18
The Supreme Court today instructed immigration authorities not to take measures to deport Frontline Socialists Party (FSP) central committee member Premakumar ‘Kumar’ Gunaratnam, until February 18. MORE..
China official says Colombo Port City project going ahead
The China-funded port city project in Colombo was going ahead, a top Chinese official from the company executing it said Wednesday, days after the new Sri Lankan government claimed the deal was still being assessed. MORE..
Authorities told not to deport Kumar Gunaratnam
The Supreme Court today directed authorities not to take steps to deport Frontline Socialists Party (FSP) central committee member Premakumar ‘Kumar’ Gunaratnam, until February 13. MORE..
No Confidence Motion submitted against John Amaratunga
The No Confidence Motion against Minister John Amaratunga which was signed by 114 Opposition MPs has been handed over to the Secretary General of Parliament, Opposition Leader Nimal Siripala de Silva said. MORE..
Sri Lanka to go ahead with China-backed Port City Project
The Cabinet has decided to continue with the Chinese-assisted Colombo Port City Project, cabinet spokesman Dr. Rajitha Senaratna said today. MORE..
Wattala PS Chairman assaulted, evicted from chamber
The Chairman of the Wattala Pradeshiya Sabha, R.A. Thyagaratna Alwis, was reportedly assaulted and forcefully removed from the chamber during the monthly session of the local government institution this morning. MORE..