We will fight to release SF: Karu

“We will fight to release General Sarath Fonseka. They have taken revenge from him and he has lost everything. We will fight for his right to be free,” Karu Jayasuriya says UPDATE

Sajith and Karu to discuss a way forward

The current UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa and former Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya are about to hold a press conference at the Bodhi Ranasinghe Foundation, on the new regulations  with regard the party’s policy on speaking to the media

Visa process keeps body in mortuary for weeks

Immigration officials have refused to issue a visa to a Sri Lankan man wanting to attend his father's funeral because he presented a risk of becoming an illegal immigrant.

Security guard awaits verdict over attempted murder of ex-girlfriend

DUBAI: A security guard is awaiting the court’s verdict in a case in which he knifed his Sri Lankan ex-lover on July 6 last year with an intention to kill her.

DMK warns UPA on attacks against TN fishermen

CHENNAI: Lashing out at the Centre for continued attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen by their Sri Lankan counterparts and the island nation's navy, key UPA coalition partner DMK warned yesterday that neither such incidents nor delay on the government's part to intervene can be tolerated.

Sri Lanka denies attack on fishermen

Sri Lanka's navy denied allegations by Indian media that its ships attacked Indian fishermen and damaged their boats in the seas off Kachchativu Island.

National flag should be hoisted in Katchativu: HMK

RAMANATHAPURAM: The members of Hindu Makkal Katchi-Tamil Nadu have urged the government to hoist the National Flag at Katchativu during Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations.

Magazine prison under control

The tense situation that arose today with 1,700 prisoners rioting within the Magazine remand prison was brought under control by around 5.30pm 

SL can see transformation in 15 yrs with trilingual policy: Abdul Kalam

Sri Lanka could see a great transformation in the next 15 years with the launching of a trilingual policy, former President of India Abdul Kalam said today.

Situation still not under control

The tense situation prevailing in the Magazine remand prison in Welikada is yet to be under total control. Despite the heavy presence of the military and special forces the situation within the Magazine remand prison is still tense due to heavy resistance from the inmates UPDATE

Heavy traffic on Baseline Road

Heavy traffic has been reported on Baseline Road as the road from the Dematagoda junction up to the Welikada Prison entrance has been temporary closed by the police due to the tense situation inside the Magazine Prison

Fonseka is safe

A spokesman for the Prisons Department said that former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka is safe as he is serving his term in a cell given to him in the Welikada Prison

Shortage of nurses in NE to be solved

The health ministry decided today, to appoint nurses with five years of permanent service or more and have served out of the North-East, to hospitals in that province to ease the severe shortage of nurses

Graham Ford new coach

The Government Information Department says that Graham Ford will replace Geoff Marsh as coach of the Sri Lanka Cricket team

Govt. not showing interest in implementation of 13th Amendment: UNP

The main opposition UNP today said there is no point in discussing devolving land and police powers to the provinces as the government had not shown an interest in the full implementation of the 13th Amendment

Tense situation at Magazine Prison in Welikada

A tense situation was reported from the Magazine Prison in Welikada. The sound of gun fire was heard from the prison premises, a reporter said VIDEO

12.5mn gold arrested at BIA

A passenger who landed at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) from Sharjah was arrested with more than 12.5 million rupees of gold, airport customs said

SF indicted for mutiny

Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka and his personal assistant Senaka Haripriya de Silva were yesterday indicted at the Colombo High Court on charges of having committed mutiny and insubordination and harbouring army deserters.

Five political parties to register with TNA: MP

As the much anticipated talks with the government had failed the five main political parties that are grouped together under the TNA are contemplating to register with the TNA as a political party, with the commissioner of elections, MP Suresh Premachandran said in Vavuniya.

New unit to monitor tourists

The Immigration and Emigration Department will set up a special unit to monitor the activities of some tourists to Sri Lanka because several of them come here for purposes other than tourism, a senior official said yesterday.

Further restrictions on smoking

An expert said yesterday Sri Lanka had the potential to introduce legislation calling for the total ban on tobacco consumption by those born after 2000.

SF’s Fundamental Rights Petition deferred until May 3

The Supreme Court yesterday (23) re-listed to be mentioned on May 3 the fundamental rights petition of former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka for the alleged infringement of his fundamental rights to freedom from torture, freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention.

30 political parties to be suspended

The Elections Department has decided to suspend the registration of 30 political parties, which had failed to submit relevant documents such as their statements of accounts and policy statements for several years, an official said today.

Only three Ministers had the gall to make practical decisions: Reginald

There were only three Education Ministers who had a vision for the national education system in Sri Lanka and the spine to take pragmatic decisions; they were C.W.W. Kannagara, I.M.R.A. Irriyagolla and Richard Pathirana, Small Crops Exports Development Minister Reginald Cooray said.

Postal Trade Union asks to remove Postmaster General immediately

The Joint Postal Trade Union today carried out a sathyagraha at the Postal Headquarters calling on President Mahinda Rajapaksa to remove the Postmaster General form his post with immediate effect failing which they would go on strike.

Sirikotha attack - Police to seek AG’s advice

Mirihana Police today informed the Nugegoda Magistrate they would send the extracts of the investigation report on the Sirikotha attack to the Attorney General for his instructions.

Will accept 25% salary increase

The Ceylon Electricity Board trade union alliance today decided to accept the 25% salary hike for this year but vowed to take action in 2013 to get another 20% increase in their salaries.

Mahela reappointed

Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan has resigned from the captaincy and former skipper Mahela Jayawardene has been reappointed to the role, the island nation's sports minister said on Monday.

Won't captain team: Dilshan

Cricket captain Tillakaratne Dilshan has resigned as captain of the national team, Sri Lanka cricket announced today, paving way for Mahela Jayawardene to take over the role.

Police probing into the mysterious death of a PC

The Kandy police have commenced a special probe into the mysterious death of Police Constable Anura who was found dead on Rajapihilla Road in Kandy on Saturday evening.