Wediwardena introduced Prageeth in France- Arundika

Government MP Arundika Fernando who dropped a bombshell in parliament stating that missing journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda was living in France, came up with more revelations today saying that the missing journalist was introduced to him by another media personnel Manjula Wediwardene in France recently.

Rethink CHOGM : UNP

The UNP said today it would request the Commonwealth heads to reconsider the participation at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November had the government failed to fulfill its promises to the Commonwealth before the Northern Provincial Council elections

Lankan Judge in the UN panel resigns

A member of a UN’s five-man tribunal set up to hear the Philippines’ complaint against China over South China Sea, has resigned saying his wife is a Filipino, the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Friday.

Kelaniya Science Faculty closes

The Science Faculty of the Kelaniya University has been temporarily closed as a result of the attack carried out on the students at the hostel last night, University sources said

It cannot be a Rajapaksa-Sampanthan agreement-MR

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today that all parties must get together for an all-inclusive political solution in the country and ‘it cannot be a Rajapaksa-Sampanthan agreement.’

Over 5600 Court martialed in SL

The government today said that some 421 military officers and 5205 other rankers were court- martialed since 2006 with Commodore T.M.P Mendis who was convicted of failing to take adequate safety measures and counter actions to protect the Galle Naval Base from the terrorist attack on October 18, 2006 among those who were martialed

DIG Questioning:- Only a drama: UNP

The UNP said today DIG Vass Gunewardane would be cleared in a blink of an eyelid from the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) radar claiming that the CID interrogation was only a drama

Hindi introduction: SLC writes to ICC

Sri Lanka Cricket today expressed its dismay over the playing of a Hindi song instead of a song which reflects the Sri Lankan identity when the Lankan team was introduced during the opening ceremony of the ICC Champions Trophy in London yesterday.

Mervyn meets BJP

The Indian Barathiya Janatha Party (BJP) delegate Ravi Sahnkar Prasad had said that he would provide all assistance to Minister Mervyn Silva in promoting religious co-existence among Hindus and Buddhists during a meeting held today with the Minister in Colombo. 

Ja-Ela robbery: businessman dies

The businessman who lost Rs. 7 mn in a robbery last Tuesday (28) at Ja-Ela had died of a heart attack, sources said

Russian President Vladimir Putin, wife announce divorce

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his wife Lyudmila announced on Thursday on national television that their marriage was over, ending years of media speculation about the couple’s relationship

Air force Bell 412 makes emergency landing

A Bell 412 helicopter carrying Air force personnel including a high ranking officer made a precautionary landing at grounds in Katupotha this morning, due to a suspected technical fault.The Air force refused to confirm whether the Commander of the Air force was on board during the emergency landing Pictures

India can’t solve Lanka’s political issues: BJP

A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led team, which is currently on a tour in Sri Lanka, has told the war-ravaged Lankan Tamils that India is ready to provide the “healing touch” but it cannot be expected to solve their political problems the Indian Express reported

US gold smuggler nabbed at BIA

A 45-year-old American attempting to smuggle 627 grams of gold valued at Rs.2.5 million into Sri Lanka from Singapore was arrested by customs officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport last night

Kelaniya Uni students attacked

At least six students were hospitalized after an unidentified group stormed the hostel of the Kelaniya University last night and attacked a group of students, police said

Masseuse fight in a massage clinic

A quarrel between two groups of masseuse working in a massage clinic in Mt Lavinia, led to the arrest of two women for allegedly pouring petrol on a third woman and attempting to set fire to her and also for assaulting and stabbing two other women.

Jaya writes to PM over fishermen issue

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has shot off a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding the release of 49 fishermen from the state who have allegedly been captured by the Sri Lankan Navy, the NDTV reported.

Video: Prageeth, are you there?

Responding to the statement made by UPFA MP Arundhika Fernando in parliament regarding the whereabouts of journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda, the Government said it was the duty of the law enforcement authorities to inquire into the statement. The Government would only ‘review’ the progress once a month.

Teacher caught kissing lady teacher

A teacher in charge of sports at a leading boys school in Colombo was charged before Colombo Fort Magistrate of having forcibly kissed the lady music teacher of the same school.

Video: JHU ready to discuss UNP’s draft constitution

JHU General Secretary and Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said his party was ready to discuss the UNP’s draft constitution

CID questions DIG Vass Gunawardene

Police sources said the CID is questioning Colombo North DIG Vass Gunawardene over the alleged abduction and killing of a businessman in Bambalapitiya

Three policemen arrested on murder charges

The CID today arrested three police officers including a sub inspector and two civilians on charges of having kidnapped and killed a businessman in Bambalapitiya

Video: Bring Prageeth to Sri Lanka: UNP tells Govt.

UNP parliamentarian Harin Fernando said today the Government must take steps to bring Prageeth Eknaligoda back to Sri Lanka if it knew his whereabouts

Another group of Indian fishermen arrested

A group of 24 Indian fishermen who were engaged in illegal fishing in the Northern seas off Talaimannar were arrested yesterday by the Navy along with five fishing Trawlers, police said

Govt.’s proposed Code of Media Ethics

The government is in the process of introducing a Code of Media Ethics to all Print and Electronic media with a series of guidelines that includes sections that could lead to broad interpretation such as “no publication should be done which contains criticism affecting foreign relations”

Govt. not worried if TNA wins NPC elections: Wimal

If the Tamils in the North vote the TNA to victory in the scheduled September PC polls it would not be of much concern to the government, as the government had decided to remove police and land powers from the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, National Freedom Front (NFF) leader and Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa said today

Video: TNA says PSC a ruse to dilute 13th-A

TNA spokesman Suresh Premachandran while failing to explain its stance on the proposed Parliament Select Committee on the 13th Amendment, detailed what he thought would be the modus operandi of the government subsequent to the PSC being appointed and its findings made law

Missing journo Eknaligoda living in France: Govt.

Government parliamentarian Arundhika Fernando told parliament a short while ago that missing journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda is currently residing in France

Public opinion first: UNP

A new constitution or an amendment to the Constitution should always put forward to the public before making it final, the United National Party said today

Pvt. Bus passengers get ‘smart card’ upgrade

The country’s first pre-paid card system for private buses would be introduced from  Thursday, the Lanka Private Bus Owners Association said today.