November 22, 2024 9:57 am
Results: 188
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...
Wigneswaran raises objections over Palaly airport expansion
Northern Province’s Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran has raised objections over the renovation of the Palaly airport in the Northern Province, one of the many large infrastructure projects proposed in Sri Lanka with the funding of the Indian government. 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...
Wigneswaran slams lack of funds for NPC
The Chief Minister of Sri Lanka’s Northern Province C.V. Wigneswaran on Tuesday expressed opposition to the Sri Lankan government’s plan to introduce “Grama Rajya” as the unit of devolution of power. MORE..
LG polls unlikely to be held in March - Lakshman Yapa
State Minister of Finance Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena says that it is unlikely the Local Government election will be held in March next year as scheduled. MORE..
Siyam’s father says Vass Gunawardena didn’t kill his son
In a surprising twist, the father of slain businessman Mohamed Siyam says that his son was not murdered by former DIG of Police Vass Gunawardena, who was sentenced to death after being found guilty over the killing. MORE..
Siyam murder: Vass Gunawardena, son and 4 others found guilty
Six suspects including former DIG Vass Gunawardena and his son Ravindu have been sentenced to death after being found guilty for the abduction and murder of businessman Mohamed Siyam by the Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar. MORE..
Govt to publish biographical book on Sobitha Thero
The government today said that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has decided to print a book which will include the biography of Venerable Maduluwawe Sobitha Thero and the services rendered by him to the country. 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..
Govt. mulls bail for Tamils held under terror act: Mano
The Ranil Wickremesinghe government is open to the idea of allowing Tamils held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to get bail, the New India Express quoted the Minister for National Dialogue on Ethnic Issues Mano Ganeshan as saying. MORE...
Accountability process would be purely domestic: FM
The process to fix accountability as mandated by the latest UNHRC resolution for the alleged rights abuses during the conflict with the LTTE will be completely domestic, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera has said rejecting claims that it was a hybrid mechanism. MORE...
UN will continue to press for accountability in Sri Lanka: Farhan
Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says that the United Nations (UN) will continue to press for accountability in Sri Lanka over incidents related to the alleged war crimes. 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...
Court to announce verdict in Shyam murder trial in November
The verdict in the murder trial of Bambalapitiya businessman Mohamed Shyam, in which former DIG Vass Gunawardena is accused, will be announced on 27 November. MORE...
Indian govt. urged to move resolution against Lanka
India’s Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader and former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has urged the Union government to move a private member resolution in the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) seeking an international inquiry into the alleged war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan Army in the last phase of the civil war. 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.
Tamil Eelam is the solution: Ramadoss
India’s PMK leader S. Ramadoss has said that if Sri Lanka was ready for an international inquiry into the alleged “war crimes and human rights violations,” the United Nations should hold a referendum among the Sri Lankan Tamils across the world for the creation of a separate Tamil Eelam, The Hindu newspaper reported. MORE...
Vaiko slams UN resolution on Sri Lanka
The United Nation’s resolution authorising Sri Lanka to hold a probe into war crimes is bound to turn detrimental to ethnic Tamils, India’s MDMK general secretary Vaiko has said. MORE...
Human Rights Council betrays Tamils: Vaiko
With the United Nations’ report on Sri Lankan war crimes likely to come up for discussion at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Wednesday, India’s MDMK general secretary Vaiko has said that it will be a black day for Tamils all over the world, The New Indian Express reports. 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...
Investigations under domestic mechanism victory for Lanka: Tennakoon
Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) and Centre for Human Rights and Research (CHR) are extremely encouraged by the resolution on Sri Lanka presented to UNHRC, which allows a for more domesticated mechanism to investigate alleged human rights violations. MORE...
Government to build 65,000 homes for war-hit families
The government has decided to take up the construction of 65,000 houses “on a priority basis” for Eelam War-hit families in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. 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...
Aust co-sponsors Sri Lanka resolution
Australia has co-sponsored a reconciliation resolution to the United Nations with the Sri Lankan government. MORE...
Resolution on Sri Lanka tabled at UN Human Rights Council
A resolution calling for a “credible justice process” with “Commonwealth and other foreign judges” in order to prosecute for mass atrocities committed during the final stages of the island’s armed conflict has been tabled at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
UN members should back hybrid court in Sri Lanka - HRW
The call by the United Nations’ top human rights officer for a domestic-international hybrid court to address allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sri Lanka should receive strong endorsement by members of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, Human Rights Watch said today. 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..
Brigadier who ordered Weliweriya shooting arrives amidst protest
The Sri Lankan military officer who allegedly ordered troops to open fire on protesters demanding clean water in the Rathupaswala area in Weliweriya two years back, was escorted out of the airport premises under tight security after he arrived in the island today. MORE..
UN should probe war crimes in Sri Lanka: Ramasamy
United Nations should probe the alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka, Indian Second Deputy Chief Minister, Penang, Malaysia, P. Ramasamy, has said in Coimbatore. 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..
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...
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...
TNA leader lashes out at Wigneswaran
The Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) president and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA)’s deputy leader in Parliament, Mavai S. Senathirajah, has come out against Chief Minister of the Northern Province and his colleague C.V. Wigneswaran for the latter’s “conduct” during the recent Parliamentary election campaign. 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...
Ex-DIG admitted to Colombo National hospital
Former DIG Vass Gunawardena, who is in custody following the murder case of Bambalapitiya businessman Mohamed Shyam, has been admitted to the Colombo National hospital following a sudden illness, Ada Derana Court reporter said. 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...
US decision on Sri Lanka sparks protests in Chennai
As a mark of protest against the U.S. supporting Sri Lanka in war crime probe, a group of members from Ilaiya Thalaimurai Koottamaippu in India, has attempted to stage a protest outside the U.S. Consulate in Chennai. 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...
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..
Former govt spent $6.5m to influence US
The former Sri Lankan government allegedly paid around US$6.5 million to a private equity fund manager over a five-month period in 2014 for consulting services which included influencing the U.S. government, according to documents obtained by Foreign Policy Magazine. 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..
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..
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..
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...
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...
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...
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...
President’s Coordinating Secretary appointed as Municipal Councillor
President’s Coordinating Secretary, Attorney at Law Rajika kodithuwakku sworn in as a member of Municipal Council, Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, before President Maithripala Sirisena today (Aug. 22). 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..
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.
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...
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...
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..
Funeral of free health service not far – Bandula
Former UPFA Parliamentarian Bandula Gunawardena says that the “funeral” of Sri Lanka’s world-renowned free health service is not very far. MORE..
Litro sends letter of demand to Bandula
The Litro Gas Lanka Ltd sent a letter of demand to former Minister Bandula Gunawardena demanding Rs. 1 billion in damage over several remarks made against it. 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...
Will the govt. give nod to road link SL with India?
A road and rail link between Rameswaram in India and Thalaimannar could be a reality soon as the government of India has asked Asian Development Bank to carry out pre-feasibility study for financing the project across Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka. 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...
UN awaits report on Sri Lanka to decide on international probe
The United Nations says that it’s exploring provision of a broad package of technical and financial assistance to Sri Lanka’s Northern Province, at the request of Chief Minister C.V Wigneswaran. 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..
PS chairman arrested over ‘distorted’ flag at UPFA rally
The Chairman of the Yatunuwara Pradeshiya Sabha and UPFA Kandy District candidate, Thusitha Kumara Welagedara, has been arrested on charges of hoisting a distorted national flag at a recent election rally. 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...
President cancels SLFP memberships of four including Rajitha, Hirunika
The President has ordered to cancel the SLFP memberships of Rajitha Senaratne, S.B. Navinna, M.K.D.S. Gunawardene, Arjuna Ranatunga and Hirunika Premachandra, the President’s Media Unit said in a statement today (28). MORE...
Sri Lankan refugee sentenced to 20 years’ jail for stabbing
A man found guilty of the stabbing murder of a fellow Sri Lankan refugee in Adelaide’s north has been jailed for at least 20 years by an Australian court. MORE..
Strong quake hits off Indonesia, but no tsunami warning
A strong earthquake hit off of Indonesia’s main island of Java on Sunday afternoon, causing residents to pour into the streets, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage, and no tsunami warning was issued. MORE...
Army says it has only ‘limited’ role in north
The Sri Lankan Army has maintained that its involvement in the Northern Province is limited “only to demining, construction works and infrastructure development in connection with the resettlement of people.” MORE..
Five sentenced to death over Lindula murder
Five persons were sentenced to death by the Nuwara-Eliya High Court today after they were found guilty in connection with a murder committed in the Lindula area in 2000. MORE..
The Supreme Court today dismissed the Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed by former UPFA Parliamentarian Sajin de Vass Gunawardena challenging his arrest and detention. 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 4 by the Fort Magistrate’s Court. 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..
Ada Derana wins at Sumathi Awards 2015
Ada Derana won the Best Television Investigative and Current Affairs news reporting awards at the annual Sumathi Awards 2015 held at Nelum Pokuna Theater in Colombo today. MORE..
Rs 220 billion plan to link Rameswaram to Sri Lanka, says Gadkari
The Indian government is working towards a Rs 220 billion (Indian rupees) project to provide connectivity between India and Sri Lanka for which the Asian Development Bank has expressed willingness to provide funding, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said. 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..
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...
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...
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..
US wants to build lasting peace and fellowship in Sri Lanka
The United States wants to build a lasting peace and fellowship among Sri Lanka’s various religious and ethnic groups, President Barack Obama’s ambassadorial nominee for Sri Lanka told lawmakers today. 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..
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..
US commends fight against corruption in Lanka
The US called on Sri Lanka to “continue on its path of ensuring accountability and reconciliation” in a statement delivered to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. In an opening statement delivered on Monday, the US said “we commend the people of Sri Lanka for restoring democratic institutions and combatting corruption”. MORE...
Four new Deputy Ministers sworn in
Four SLFP Parliamentarians today took oaths as Deputy Ministers before President Maithripala Sirisena. MORE..
No-confidence Motion against PM handed over to Speaker
The motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has been handed over to Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa last night, UPFA Parliamentarian Bandula Gunawardena said. MORE..
Unfair to question CB governor’s citizenship – Ranil
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says that it is unfair to question the citizenship of Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran. MORE..
Veteran actor J.H. Jayawardena passes away
Veteran Sri Lankan actor J.H. Jayawardena has passed away at the age of 94. 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...
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..
SLFP Parliamentarians Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Chandrasiri Sooriyaarachchi, Hemal Gunasekara and Pandu Bandaranayake have received ministerial portfolios. 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..
UN shows no positive progress for our issue, says Wigneswaran
Chief Minister of Northern Provincial Council Justice C.V. Wigneswaran on Monday (18) condemned the international community for its delay in handling the accountability issue in Sri Lanka and failure to bring justice to the Tamil people. 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...
Court bans LTTE remembrance events in Mullaitivu
The Mullaitivu Magistrate’s Court today issued a stay order banning the holding if any LTTE remembrance event up to 14 days from 18 May within the Mullaitivu police area, police spokes ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said. MORE..
Sri Lankan refugee accused of stabbing fellow refugee
A Sri Lankan refugee accused of murder allegedly stabbed another refugee through the stomach with such force the blade damaged the victim’s spine, an Adelaide court has heard. 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...
Special traffic plan from today
A special traffic plan will be implemented from today onwards from Polduwa junction to Sri Jaywardenapura, Rajagiriya and Horton roundabout to Kinsey Road, Police told Ada Derana.
UN group on missing to visit Sri Lanka in August
The United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances has confirmed that it will visit Sri Lanka from August 3 – 12. MORE...
No-confidence motion against Ravi next week – Bandula
Former Minister Bandula Gunawardena says that a motion of no confidence will be submitted in Parliament next week against Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, who he claims is responsible for the crises that have befallen the country’s economy. MORE..
UPFA Parliamentarian Sajin de Vass Gunawardena has been summoned to appear at the Criminal Investigations Department on Monday (May 11). 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..
The Mayor of the Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, Janaka Ranawaka, who was arrested this morning for allegedly assaulting the Opposition Leader of the Municipal Council, has been remanded until May 11 by the Hulftsdorp Magistrate court. MORE..
Kotte Opposition leader also arrested
Opposition leader of the Kotte Municipal Council Sugath Appuhami has been arrested over the alleged assault on the Mayor of the Kotte MC, police said. Earlier today the Mayor of the Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, Janaka Ranawaka, was arrested for allegedly assaulting the Opposition Leader of the Municipal Council, police said. MORE...
Kotte Mayor arrested over attack on Opposition Leader
The Mayor of the Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, Janaka Ranawaka, has been arrested for allegedly assaulting the Opposition Leader of the Municipal Council, police said. MORE..
Sri Lankan-origin candidate elected to UK Parliament
Ranil Jayawardena, Conservative Party candidate of Sri Lankan origin who was running for election in North East Hampshire, has been elected to the UK Parliament.
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...
Indian Origin Tamils aiming to double representation in Parliament
The Indian Origin Tamils (IOT), who are 4.16 per cent of the Sri Lankan population of 20.3 million, are aiming to double their representation in a reformed Sri Lankan parliament. 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..
Wigneswaran defends raising convicts’ issue with Modi
Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran on Friday strongly defended his action of forwarding to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi a representation, seeking the release of four convicts of a case of rape and murder, popularly called the Premananda case. MORE..
UPFA politicians summoned on contempt charges
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today issued notice on 27 persons including 10 UPFA Parliamentarians to appear before the court on May 8 on contempt of court charges, after they violated a court order and staged a protest opposite the bribery commission. MORE..
Wigneswaran requests Modi to release 3 convicted of raping 13 girls
Chief minister of Sri Lanka’s Tamil-majority Northern Province C V Wigneswaran has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release three life convicts in the sensational Swamy Premananda case. MORE...
Opposition demands anti-graft chief’s sacking
Main opposition demanded on Tuesday the country’s anti-graft chief be sacked for summoning former president Mahinda Rajapaksa to answer bribery allegations amid renewed uproar in parliament. MORE...
Sri Lankan couple, daughters land near Rameswaram
A Sri Lankan Tamil couple with their three teenage daughters landed clandestinely at Arichalmunai, off Dhanushkodi in the early hours of Friday, The Hindu reports. MORE..
Sri Lankan arrested in Pakistan
With the Zarb-i-Azb operation underway in North Waziristan Agency, the Peshawar Police launched a massive search operation on Sunday, arresting more than 118 illegal residents, including a Sri Lankan national, from the posh Hayatabad Township bordering Khyber Agency. MORE..
Sangakkara honoured at Asian Awards 2015 in London
Sri Lankan batsman Kumar Sangakkara was presented with the award for Outstanding Contribution to Sport at the fifth Annual Asian Awards held in London last night. MORE..
Sri Lankan student’s film to premiere at Cannes Film Festival
Charmini Peli Kankanamalage is terrified she stole something from her child. 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..
Rohitha Abeygunawardena sacked from SLFP central committee
Former Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena has also been removed from the Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). 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...
Sacking of Central Committee members not unlawful: SLFP
The removal of four members from the Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) is not a violation of party’s constitution, a party source said. MORE...
Sri Lanka has potential to be a role model: UN
“If handled well, the case of Sri Lanka has the potential to constitute an example for the region and for the world of how a sustainable peace ought to be achieved,” says Pablo de Greiff, UN Special Rapporteur on Truth, Justice, Reparations, and Guarantees of Non-recurrence. MORE...
Several SLFP central committee members sacked
Several more UPFA Parliamentarians say they have been removed from the central committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). MORE..
Bandula sacked from SLFP central committee
Former Minister Bandula Gunawardena says that he has been removed from the Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). The UPFA MP said he has received a letter notifying him of this decision. MORE..
Indian fishermen protest arrests by Sri Lankan navy
The fishermen of Rameswaram staged a demonstration, protesting against the arrest of fishermen and confiscation of their boats by Sri Lankan navy and urging the authorities to secure their traditional fishing rights in the Palk Bay. MORE..
80% pictorial warnings from June
The government has unanimously passed regulations to include pictorial warnings about the negative health effects of smoking on all cigarette products. MORE..
Vajira Wijegunawardene appointed SEC Director General
Vajira Wijegunawardene has been appointed as the Director General of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Sri Lanka with immediate effect. 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..
Kotakethana murder: Victim’s teenage son arrested
Police today arrested the 18-year-old son of the woman recently killed in the Kotakethana area in Kahawatta in connection with the shocking murder. MORE..
Kapila Wijegunawardene named chairman of selectors
Former cricketer Kapila Wijegunawardene has been appointed as chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee, the Sports Ministry confirmed on Wednesday. MORE...
Speaker needs more time on Opposition Leader’s post
Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa says that he needs more time to consider his decision on the Opposition Leader’s post, which subject of controversy after 26 Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MPs joined the new Government to accept ministerial portfolios. MORE...
Dinesh to get Opposition Leader post?
A proposal signed by some 60 Parliamentarians, requesting to appoint Mahajana Eksath Peramuna leader Dinesh Gunawardena as the Opposition Leader, has been handed over to the Speaker, former Minister T.B. Ekanayake told Ada Derana. MORE...
Government to assist thousands of war widows
Government is to set up a welfare center in the former war-torn north to assist thousands of women widowed by the country’s three-decade war, a statement from the prime minister’s office said on Monday. MORE...
Sri Lankan boat with six fishermen on board arrested off Chennai
Indian Coast Guard on Friday seized a Sri Lankan fishing boat with six fishermen on board for allegedly fishing in Indian waters. MORE..
Mahela to build grassroot cricket in Sri Lanka
Former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene is set to take over a role with the country’s cricket administration to develop the infrastructure of the local game at the feeder level. MORE...
Sri Lankan fishermen welcome Ranil’s ‘shooting’ remarks
Fishermen of the Jaffna peninsula in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province say they welcome Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe’s remarks that Indian fishermen may be shot if they intruded into Sri Lankan waters. MORE..
The Colombo Fort Magistrate on Tuesday (31) granted bail to MP Sajin de Vass Gunawardena on a case filed by the Bribery Commission over failure to declare his assets. MORE..
Sarana Gunawardena released on bail
The Attanagalla Magistrate on Monday (30) granted bail to ex-Minister Sarana Gunawardena who was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on charges of criminal breach of trust. 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..
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..
Sarana Gunawardena further remanded
Former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena, who was arrested on charges of financial fraud and criminal breach of trust, has been further remanded until March 30 by the Attanagalla Magistrate’s Court. 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..
Bribery Commission files action against Sajin
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption today filed action against MP Sajin de Vass Gunawardena under section 9 of the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities Law No. 1 on 1975. 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...
Parliamentarian Sajin Vass Gunawardena currently being questioned by the Fraud Investigation Bureau over an alleged financial fraud, a police source said.
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..
Calls for international war crimes probe insulting - Chandrika
Sri Lanka is united against an international investigation into alleged war crimes during its 26-year-long civil war, according to its former president, Chandrika Kumaratunga. 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...
Tamils seek positive action to resolve problems - Wigneswaran
Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran says that even though security concerns should be left to the Central Administration in any Country, it should not transgress the limits of protection of the Country to a protracted pursuit of purposeful military occupation with political undertones in place. MORE..
All 77 stranded contractual workers return from Sri Lanka: Swaraj
All 77 Indian workers left stranded in Sri Lanka following a labour dispute there have since returned to the country, Indian External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj informed the Rajya Sabha today. MORE..
The Attanagalla Magistrate on Thursday (12) remanded ex-Minister Sarana Gunawardena until 23 March. Gunawardena was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today morning. MORE...
Time to replace 13th Amendment with a more dynamic system: Wigneswaran
It is time the 13th Amendment was replaced with a more dynamic system of devolution of powers, according to Sri Lanka’s Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran. MORE...
Sarana Gunawardena arrested by CID
Former Deputy Ministers Sarana Gunawardena has been arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today on charges of criminal breach of trust, police spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said. MORE..
India, Sri Lanka to release fishermen ahead of Modi’s visit
President Maithripala Sirisena has ordered the release of 86 Indian fishermen in Sri Lankan custody as a goodwill gesture ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the island. MORE..
India takes up fishermen issue after Lanka threat
A day after Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that Indian fishermen may be shot if they “intruded” into his country’s waters, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday raised the matter with the Sri Lankan government and emphasised that it was a humanitarian” and “livelihood” issue for the fishermen. 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..
Dr Chris Nonis appointed Presidential Adviser
Former Sri Lankan High Commissioner to UK Dr Chris Nonis has been appointed as Adviser to the President on International Affairs, the President’s Media Division said. 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..
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...
Rohitha Abeygunawardena questioned by Bribery Commission
Former Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena is being questioned by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption following a compliant lodged with the commission, a source said. MORE...
Probe launched after National Flag taken down at Dalada Maligawa
Police have launched an investigation into a complaint alleging that a certain group had forcefully taken down the National Flag and raised the “Sinhala Flag” at the Audience Hall (Magul Maduwa) of the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), Kandy. MORE..
Mid-sea fight threatens to jeopardise talks between Indian, Sri Lanka fishermen
Fishermen in the region, who were looking forward to a new round of talks between their representatives with Sri Lanka, are in a state of suspended animation as a mid-sea fight seems to have turned the tides. They were hoping that bilateral talks would begin on March 5 once the state government received clearance from the Centre. 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...
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..
Jeffrey Feltman to visit Sri Lanka this week
One week after the UN Human Rights Council agreed to withhold the already delayed report on war crimes in Sri Lanka, the UN announced that Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s highest political official Jeffrey Feltman will visit the country this week. 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..
Bill for 80% pictorial warning passed in Parliament
The National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (Amendment) bill, which includes increased pictorial warnings covering 80 per cent of cigarette packets, has been passed in Parliament. MORE..
Navy provides treatment to Indian fisherman
Sri Lankan Navy personnel today offered treatment to an Indian fisherman after he was stung by a poisonous fish while poaching in the Palk strait, PTI reported. MORE..
U.N. rights chief backs delay for Sri Lanka war crimes report
Sri Lanka’s bid to postpone publication of a UnitedNations report into alleged war crimes has won the backing of U.N. human rights chief Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Monday. MORE...
President assures domestic mechanism to probe alleged rights violations
President Maithripala Sirisena assured the diplomatic community that his government will not hesitate to punish the offenders of human rights violations said to have taken place during the war after the conduct of a credible domestic inquiry through a judicial process into the allegations. MORE...
New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by 98 runs in World Cup opener
Hosts New Zealand gave the cricket World Cup a cracking start with a scintillating batting show as they crushed last edition losing finalists Sri Lanka by 98 runs in the opening match of the showpiece event here today. MORE..
I’ll miss playing for Sri Lanka – Mahela
As he gets ready to play the final phase of his 18-year long illustrious career, Mahela Jayawardene says he will miss the Sri Lankan dressing room after the conclusion of 2015 Cricket World Cup. 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...
President Sirisena ushers new chapter of hope for Sri Lanka - NY Times
It was just one month ago that Sri Lanka surprised the world by electing opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena as president, rejecting the authoritarianism, corruption and dynastic politics of the administration of the incumbent, Mahinda Rajapaksa. MORE...
Can’t call it “genocide” – Rajitha
Terming the resolution adopted in the Northern Provincial Council an “extremist position,” Health Minister and Cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne says President Maithripala Sirisena had promised to initiate an internationally approved, domestic inquiry process. MORE..
Former BBC producer to make film promoting reconciliation in Sri Lanka
A former BBC television producer is raising money to fund a film promoting reconciliation in Sri Lanka after decades of civil war. MORE...
Armed robbery at financial institute in Warakapola
An armed robbery has taken place at a private financial institution located in the Warakapola town. MORE...
Impounded boats will be returned: forum
The Rameswaram fishermen are elated as the new regime in Sri Lanka, headed by Maithiripala Sirisena, has decided to release their impounded boats, according to the Alliance for the Release of Innocent Fishermen (ARIF). 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..
Sarana Gunawardena’s passport impounded
The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today ordered the Department of Immigration and Emigration (DIE) to impound the passport of former Deputy Ministers Sarana Gunawardena. MORE...
The Sri Lankan government stepped up pressure in 2014 on human rights activists and journalists, particularly those urging justice for past war crimes, Human Rights Watch said in its World Report 2015 released today. MORE...