SL rejects US criticism over rights record and democracy

Sri Lanka on Sunday rejected “patently unfair” allegations by the United States that its rights record had deteriorated in the five years since the end of a war.

19 Indians caught bottom trawling despite ban

The Sri Lankan navy arrested 19 Indian fishermen when they were found to have crossed the International Maritime Boundary and trespassing on Sri Lanka’s territorial waters last night.

Journalist Mel Gunasekera murdered

The Assistant Vice President at Fitch Ratings Lanka and senior business Journalist Mel Gunasekera had been found murdered at her house in Battaramulla this morning, Police said

Mass grave site suspended due to the festival

The excavation work of Mannar mass grave site has been temporarily suspended due to the Kovil festival, police said.

'Minuwangoda Jeewan' shot dead

Two persons including an underworld criminal known as Minuwangoda Jeewan had been killed following a shootout with Police Special Task Force (STF) personnel in Ratmale, Dickwella last night, the Police said.

Journalist assaulted at rugby match

Sports journalist Shanaka Amarasinghe was reportedly assaulted today at the Navy rugby grounds in Welisara following the Navy- CR rugby match this evening, and a Police complaint is now being lodged.

Video: US not contemplating economic sanctions

The United States said today that it does not contemplate economic sanctions although a third resolution will be brought against Sri Lanka, owing to the ‘lack of progress on accountability and the deteriorating Human Rights situation in country’.

Milk powder price up

The Price of powdered milk will be increased with effect from midnight today. Accordingly, price of 400g packet will be increased by Rs.61 and a packet of one kilo gram by Rs. 152, Ministry of Cooperative and Internal Trade said.

14-year-old girl delivers baby

A 14-year-old girl was admitted to the Bandarawela Hospital after delivering a baby at her home, police said.

Video: Mudslinging campaign against SF

Democratic Party leader Sarath Fonseka said today about 10,000 books titled “Prabhakaran yali Upadi” had been printed in a press in Nugegoda slinging mud at him.

10-year-old girl found in a well

A body of a 10-year-old girl was found in a well at Shawasthipura in Anuradhapura this morning, police said

India refuses to support SL against US resolution in UNHRC

To avoid hurting Tamil sentiment ahead of elections, the government has refused to commit Sri Lanka any support against a US-sponsored UN resolution accusing its military of committing war crimes in the final assault on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in 2009

SL asks US to be objective

The Government yesterday expressed its dismay at what it termed as ‘the third consecutive attempt’ by the US to bring a resolution on Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)

Ranjan to be UNP’s WP chief ministerial candidate

United National Party (UNP) Ratnapura District parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake is expected to be the party’s chief ministerial candidate at the elections to the Western Provincial Council and would contest from the Gampaha District

Officer and soldiers detained in open military court

A group of soldiers led by a Lieutenant who were released on bail by the Dehiattakandiya Magistrate yesterday for alleged felling of some trees in Maha Oya Wildlife Reserve, were detained in open military custody, the army said.

Video: Implementing LLRC proposals: UNP ready to support Govt.

Opposition and UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe told visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal that his party was ready

Arrests were not meant to disrupt talks-Navy

Sri Lanka Navy today said it was compelled to arrest the Indian fishermen as they had clearly intruded into the territorial waters of Sri Lanka and that the arrests were not meant to disrupt the ongoing talks between the two governments on the fishing crisis

Video: JVP accuses Bribery Com. of evading tactics

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) parliamentarian Sunil Handunnetti today accused the Bribery Commission of attempting to sweep under the carpet the investigation against its Chairman by needlessly delaying the investigation

Egyptian expat kills friend over affair with his SL girlfriend

The Criminal Court in Kuwait City Thursday sentenced an Egyptian expatriate to death for murdering his compatriot inside the construction site of Shaddadiya University, in Kuwait

Injunction against Iraj refused

The Commercial High Court today refused an interim injunction asked for by songwriter Herbert M. Seneviratne’s widow to prevent Iraj Weeraratne from singing the song ‘ Aloke’, composed by her late husband.

Ex- Law College Principal gets top post at Presidential Sec.

Former Law College Principal W.D Rodrigo who left the Law College under a cloud  in November last year has been appointed Legal Director of the Presidential Secretariat from January 29.

SL navy spoiling conducive atmosphere created by fishing talks

Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa has reacted against the latest incident of arrests of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy on the high seas, saying elements in the Sri Lankan navy are trying to spoil a conducive atmosphere created by the recent talks between the fishermen of both countries

Nisha Biswal arrives

Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal arrived in Sri Lanka a short while ago Foreign Ministry sources said

New traffic plan at Pittala junction made permanent

The special traffic plan which was tried out yesterday at Pittala Junction to reduce traffic congestion in the area will now be made permanent. It will be in effect throughout the day from today, police spokesman Ajith Rohana said

Video: I am not a king-MR

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that he is not a king but just a temporary custodian of the state

Army men arrested for illicit felling

A lieutenant and 11 soldiers of the Commando Regiment were arrested today for allegedly felling trees without permit, the Forest Department officials said

Malinga to play in the Big Bash

Sri Lanka cricket (SLC) today announced that Lasith Malinga has been released to play in the semi-finals of the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia.

No power cuts in near future-Pavithra

Power and Energy Minister Pavithra Wanniarachichi today said that there won’t be power cuts or tariff increases in the near future

Video: JVP demands answers on data distortion

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today vowed to take up the issue of the government massaging economic data to lure investment in particular, and to hoodwink the public in general in Parliament.

Audio: Ginger 200% confident of receiving nominations

Despite reports that popular actresses and songstresses who aspired to represent the UPFA at the upcoming Western provincial likely to be rejected nominations, singer Judith White aka ‘Ginger’ said she is 200% confident of receiving nominations to represent the UPFA at the election ???