Military not holding anyone: Maj. Gen. Perera

The military on Saturday said they were not holding any persons under their custody.

‘Schoolgirls’ not spared in cyberspace

Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team | Coordination Centre (Sri Lanka CERT|CC) said they were not able to take any effective action against the administrators of the Facebook page ‘schoolgirls’ that had featured unauthorised images of young girls in an offensive context

Furious husband does ‘Tyson’ act

A man who lost control when he witnessed his wife in an embrace with her lover in a bus at the Dambulla bus stand, had allegedly bitten off a piece of the paramour’s ear.

Briton denies Buddha tattoo was 'disrespectful'

A British tourist is "shocked and upset" after being deported from Sri Lanka for displaying a Buddha tattoo on his arm, he says.

Sinister plan to paralyse BIA, says UNP

The main opposition UNP today charged that a sinister plan was under way to paralyse the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), by shifting the high-tech machinery and skilled staff to the Mattala International Airport which would be declared opened tomorrow.

Karunanidhi threatens again, says support to UPA doubtful

DMK chief M Karunanidhi today threatened to snap ties with the Congress-led UPA government if India doesn't vote against Sri Lanka at a session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on March 22.

MR sends greetings to new Pope

President Mahinda Rajapaksa while expressing his good wishes to Pope Francis on Saturday said that, “Your Holiness has been elected in a significant era when the world is facing unprecedented social and economic challenges and as such.”

Video: Sri Lankan monk assaulted in Tiruchi

A Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, Pathberiye Gnanaloka Thero, was assaulted by members of Tamil outfits at the Big Temple in Thanjavur, in Tiruchi, India on Saturday.

SL bars Briton with Buddha tattoo

Sri Lanka denied entry to a British tourist sporting a Buddha tattoo on his arm because he showed disrespect to Buddhism, a newspaper report said Saturday.

China ready to protect SL's sovereignty-Chinese President

Newly-elected Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday offered his support in protecting Sri Lanka's national sovereignty, hinting at Beijing's backing to stave off a US-backed resolution against the country at UN Rights Council.

Chidambaram hints at likely vote against SL

Barely 24 hours after DMK chief M Karunanidhi warned of pulling out his ministers from the cabinet over the Lankan Tamils issue, Indian Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Saturday hinted at a possible vote against Sri Lanka at a session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) later this month.

Act against SL, Karunanidhi tells UPA

DMK chief M. Karunanidhi today pressed the central government to take a tough line against Sri Lanka at the upcoming UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) meet in Geneva.

Trainee graduates also to undergo leadership training?

Following the introduction of leadership training programs in military camps for undergraduates, school students and principals, trainee graduates have been now identified as the most recent group to participate in a similar program, the Center for Graduates (CFG) claimed while expressing their concern over the move.

12 hour water cut in Colombo

Water supply to several areas would be interrupted from 8.00 pm today to 8.00 am tomorrow due to the laying of new pipe lines, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board announced

Constitutionality of hurried Bills challenged

Fifteen petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Constitutionality of 11 Bills hurriedly presented in parliament by the government to meet requirements of the 2013 Budget.

Basil pooh poohs Ranil’s MoU

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) National Ograniser and Minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday rejected United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s offer to sign a MoU with the Government over the fall out of the US-led resolution to be presented in Geneva.

Electric fence at Mattala to keep elephants at bay

An electric fence will be built around the perimeter of the Mattala Airport to stop wild elephants from entering the outlying areas of the airport.

China, Russia commend Lanka; UK, US urge probe

While several countries including China and Russia commended Sri Lanka at yesterday’s sessions at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva

Some elements trying to disturb racial, religious harmony: IGP

Police Chief N.K. Illangakoon today warned that some elements appeared to be making a subtle attempt to disturb racial and religious amity and co-existence that prevail in the country.

Video: Customs officers refuse to open container in media presence

Customs officers today shied away from opening two containers suspected to contain 62,000 litres of illegally imported Ethanol worth about Rs.40 million.

Why IC keeps mum on LTTE atrocities: SL

Presidential Special Envoy for Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe while saying that the country does not believe “That everything is fine” urged for the international community to give the country “time and space” to ensure overcome the ensuing challenges.

Sri Lankan court orders release of 34 TN fishermen

A day after India lodged a strong protest against detention of its fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy, a court in the island nation on Friday ordered the release of 34 fishermen, officials of a fishermen association in Rameswaram said.

‘India working out stand on resolution’

India is in the process of working out its stand on the UN Resolution against Sri Lanka, government today said with an emphasis that there should be accountability besides an “impartial, independent and transparent” probe into allegations of atrocities on Tamils

Japan won’t go with HR stands of other nations-Akashi

Senior Japanese diplomat Yasushi Akashi said that Japan was not ready to go with the human rights stands of other nations, ignoring the objective realities in Sri Lanka

Sajith back in WC

Former UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa has been re-appointed to the Working Committee of the UNP, party sources said

Ban on S’gamuwa university Students’ unions

Students’ unions and five faculty unions at the Sabaragamuwa University have been banned from last night, a Sabaragamuwa University official said a short while ago.

Interruption to TV and FM transmission in North

The viewers of the TV and the listeners of radio services in Mannar and Thalimannar complained that they were experiencing difficulties in viewing and listening to Lankan services while they could enjoy the Indian TV and FM transmissions

‘Parties with vested interests never praise Army’

Criticising various parties of attempting to tarnish Sri Lanka’s image, Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya said that those parties ‘never want to heap praise on the Sri Lanka Army for its decisive eradication of the world’s most feared terrorist outfit

Bharatha’s sister to speak at UNHRC today

Six family members of slain SLFPer Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra will attend the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session in Geneva today while one family member is scheduled to address the session with regard to the killing of Mr. Premachandra and other alleged politically motivated killings in Sri Lanka

Fate of SL can be similar to that of Sudan – Kiriella

Speaking on the decision to support the government to overcome the immediate aftermath of “what is now a certain resolution,” UNP Vice President Lakshman Kiriella said the country is faced with a grave situation ‘similar to that of Sudan’ and therefore the UNP is concerned about the future of the country