Three OICs interdicted

Three officers-in-charge (OICs) of three police stations in the Wayamba Province have been interdicted by Senior DIG Ashoka Wijetilleka over alleged cases of assault taken place in 2012, police said

Video: No civilians went missing: Gotabaya

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa rejected claims yesterday that civilians had gone missing in the North during the last stages of the war, insisting that all records maintained by the Army and the ICRC tallied with no discrepancies ? ? ?

Govt. should formulate its own rules

The Army proposed to the government that it formulate its own rules to deal with internal war situations as the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) principles, applicable to internal war situations had not adequately addressed various complex issues, and the existing rules were seemingly applied to state actors only

India assures its help to SL in all sectors

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assured Sri Lanka that India’s cooperation with Sri Lanka in all sectors will be given highest priority

Glass in injection vial

A material similar to particles of glass had been found in an injection vial at the Marawila Base Hospital yesterday

Video: US should open training for us- Gota

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that the United States should open up training opportunities to the Sri Lankan military

Video: ‘Vishwaroopam’ screening suspended

Cabinet spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the screening of the Indian film, Vishwaroopam, directed by Indian actor Kamal Hassan who plays its lead role has been suspended ???

PSC to look into extremism

Leader of the House Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said a Parliament Select Committee will be appointed to inquire into extremist, fundamentalist and other forces which ignite conflicts

Five arrested for gang rape

Five men have been arrested for the alleged gang rape of a 45 year old woman, in Wijerama Nugegoda late last night, the Police said

Chemical engineer to head BoI

Dr.Lakshman Jayaweera, a Sydney based chemical engineer, has been appointed new Board of Investment (BoI) Chairmn/Director General by President Mahinda Rajapksa, a statement by the BoI said

MR writes to Obama

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a congratulatory message to US President Barack Obama on his re-election, said the relations between the two countries will continue to flourish and expand into new vistas of cooperation under the Obama administration

Lankan held with satellite phone

A Sri Lankan  with Australian citizenship was on Wednesday arrested for using a satellite telephone prohibited in India

Antony rejects Lankan minister's contention on training issue

India yesterday rejected visiting Sri Lankan Foreign Minister G L Peiris’ contention that Tamil Nadu politicians are cynical in raising objections over training of its military personnel saying sentiments of the people of the state have to be respected

Indo-Lanka talks to resolve fishing crisis: President

Sri Lanka will initiate a dialogue with the Indian Government to resolve once and for all the issues connected to illegal fishing and trespassing into each other’s territorial waters by fishermen of both countries, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday

Bilingual national anthem proposal sent to President

The National Languages and Social Integration Minister have proposed to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the presidential secretariat to rewrite the ‘National Anthem’ with Sinhala and Tamil verses to be sung particularly at national events

Initial report on war is ready-Army

The Army will hand over its first report tomorrow (24) in response to observations and recommendations made by the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) with regards to the SL Army.

Mayor of Galle removed

The Mayor of Galle Methsiri De Silva was removed from his office, as Mayor and from his seat in the Municipal Council, by the Chief Minister of the Southern Province Shan Wijayalal Silva today

Australia beat SL by 32 runs

Australia beat Sri Lanka by 32 runs to level the five-match One-Day International (ODI) series in the fifth and final match at Hobart on Wednesday

Met Dept. warns of adverse weather

The Meteorological Department said today there was the likelihood of thunderstorms accompanied by heavy rains in the East, North Central, Uva and Central Provinces in the next 24 hours

1000 Lankan asylum seekers returned

The recent return of 13 Sri Lankan asylum seekers who voluntarily flew home to Colombo brings the total number of returned Sri Lankans to almost 1000 since August last year, the Australian High Commission said today

Tsunami warning drill

A tsunami warning drill will be held at 3.00 p.m. tomorrow in along the entire coastal belt covering 14 districts, a Disaster Management Centre spokesman said

Karaoke Wasantha granted bail

Surendra Wasantha Perera alias Karaoke Wasantha, who owns several Karaoke bars in Colombo, was arrested on charges of threatening the police and pretending to be a close relative of a prominent politician. He was later released on bail

Govt web sites hit in spate of attacks

A hacker on Tuesday breached the Web site of Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA), and also attacked and leaked the Web sites of two Sri Lankan TV channels and the Bureau of Foreign Employment over the last weekend.

Video: Media blackout for ceremonial sitting

All local and international media were prevented from entering the Supreme Court complex and not allowed to cover the ceremonial sitting to welcome Chief Justice Mohan Peiris, who was appointed to the post under controversial circumstances???

A ‘garbage tax’ too in the offing

Environment Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said the day would not be too far away when big cities in the country would have to collect a ‘Garbage Tax’ from city dwellers because solid waste disposal would become a huge burden in the future.

Govt. braces to face riots and uprisings

In an effort to strengthen the police to counter any people’s uprising, the Government has spent Rs.17.37 million to replenish its arsenal of riot control equipment by buying a large quantity of rubber batons, helmets, gas masks and tear gas canisters, Parliament was informed.

Video: ‘Snake girl’ found unconscious

The Colpetty Night Club dancer better known as the 'Snake girl', was found unconscious with injuries in Wellampitiya this morning, Police said. ???

US Embassy disturbed by threats to civil society in SL

The US embassy in Colombo said that it ‘is disturbed by the series of threats and attacks against legal defenders, civil society organizations and activists who have spoken out on recent events.’

Customs seize Rs. 150 m worth items

Colombo Port Customs seized cigarettes, shoes, cheese and cigarette lighters valued at around Rs.150 million which had been brought down from the Middle East recently Pictures

Bharatha’s driver recants

The Attorney General today informed the Colombo Magistrate that Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra’s driver who was a prime witness in the Mulleriyawa shooting has now changed his stance stating in an affidavit that the earlier statement was made under undue ‘influence’ by various parties to the case.