Video: Shout against private universities

Aesthetic University Students held a demonstration today calling for abolishment of the gazette notice authorizing the setting up of private universities in the country. Pix by Nisal Baduge

UK PM to attend CHOGM

British Prime Minister David Cameron and his foreign secretary William Hague will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be held in Sri Lanka in November, the foreign secretary said.

Video: Won’t take advantage of Pillay’s statement: UNP

The UNP today said it was disappointed and displeased over the statement made by UN Human Right High Commissioner on the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, but assured it would not use the statement for political advantage ???

Vaas granted bail in threat case

Former DIG Vaas Gunawardana was granted bail today by the Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage in connection with the threatening of CID officers

Ten Lankans held for illegal fishing in Indians waters

Ten Sri Lankan fishermen, who were arrested by the Indian Coast Guard in two different incidents for allegedly entering Indians waters illegally and fishing last month, have been handed over to police.

Man banned with illegal gold

A 40-year-old Indian national who attempted to smuggle several pieces of rough gold weighing 477g worth Rs. 2.7 million to Delhi was arrested this morning by Customs officers at the BIA, Customs Director and media spokesman Leslie Gamini said

TNA manifesto calls for North-East merger

The TNA has called for the merger of the Northern and Eastern provinces in its manifesto presented yesterday for the Northern Provincial Council election

Bharatha murder trial: witness describes events

A witness who gave evidence before Colombo Additional Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage yesterday once again described the ordeal he underwent at Walpola Junction, Mulleriyawa on local government election day during the shooting incident that took place there

Pakistan Minister meets MR

Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Mr. Ahsan Iqbal made a courtesy call on President Mahinda Rajapaksa this morning at Temple Trees, the President Media Unit said

Govt. grants 15-year tax holiday for foreign campus

The Government has decided to grant a 15-year tax amnesty for the project to set up a branch campus of Britain’s Central Lancashire University in the Mirigama Export Processing Zone

Video: Dictatorship can’t be measured by elections - UNP

The main opposition United National Party (UNP) today said holding elections regularly did not mean that a country’s ruler was not a dictator

Third defence seminar begins

The third defence seminar began today at the Galadari Hotel under the patronage of Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. More than 170 military personnel and foreign dignitaries from 53 countries are attending the seminar. It will end on Thursday. Pix by Pradeep Dilruckshana

Video: West may want to change SL’s destiny-Gota

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa today said that ‘there is a possibility that some western powers wish to have a Sri Lankan Government that is closely aligned with their interests and may seek to influence country’s destiny???

Police dismiss anonymous claim

An anonymous petition received by the Police Department states that a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) serving in the North was alleged to have been displaying pornographic visuals on a computer to a women police constable (WPC)

Pillay ignores contradictory report by her staff in Colombo: GL

External Affairs minister G.L. Peiris on Tuesday charged UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay of ignoring a report produced by the UN officials in Colombo about claims of the intimidating presence of the military in the North

Why monkeys misbehave?

A dearth of female monkeys, environmental damage and the shrinkage of their natural habitat have caused male monkeys to misbehave, said Dr Suhada Jayawardene, a veterinary surgeon attached to the Wildlife Conservation Department.

A dictator is a ruler who does not hold elections-MR

A dictator is a ruler who does not conduct polls and works according to his own agendas but this government has restored democracy and taken steps to hold elections in the North. Therefore, no one can accuse this government of being a dictatorship, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Lankan Professor files discrimination lawsuit in US

A Bethlehem Area School Board in Pennsylvania Ave, United States member and college professor has filed a discrimination lawsuit against the Phillipsburg School District, claiming he was passed over for full-time teaching positions based on his race and age.

SLFP Annual Convention

The 62nd Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Annual Convention held today at Maligapitiya in Kurunegala with the participation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.  Pix courtesy President’s Media

Uproar in the Rajya Sabha over Katchatheevu

Members from AIADMK, DMK, CPI and BJP on Monday created uproar in the Rajya Sabha over an affidavit filed by the Government in the Supreme Court on Katchatheevu, a small island ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974, and demanded that it be retrieved

Video: Some ministers tarnished SL’s image: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said today the manner in which some ministers behaved with regard to the visit of the UNHRC Chief to Sri Lanka had ruined the country’s image internationally

Uni-flow in Fort

The Colombo Fort Police traffic unit had initiated a new uni-flow traffic plan in front of the World Trade Centre in Fort yesterday because of road carpeting

Sanga-SLC call it a draw

Former Sri Lankan Cricket Captain Kumar Sangakkara after a spat with a high ranking official of Sri Lanka Cricket said today that discussions with the SLC Executive Committee were fruitful and that SLC President Jayantha Dharmadasa had taken the initiative to iron out issues that had surfaced recently

Vaas’ written statement referred to AG

Former DIG Vaas Gunawardena’s written statement on the alleged extortion of Rs.3 million from ‘Singapore Sarath’, who is a state witness in the Hasitha Madawala murder case, was today referred to the Attorney General by Mahara Magistrate Dharshika Wimalasiri.

Basil promises to facilitate TN-Jaffna fishermen meet

Sri Lanka’s Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa has promised to facilitate a meeting between fishermen’s representatives from Tamil Nadu and Jaffna to prevent the arrest of fishermen from both sides who often strayed into each other’s territories.

Noori case: Suspects re-remanded till Sept.9

The Avissawela Chief Magistrate Anushka Seneviratne today directed the Controller of Immigration and Emigration to stop the two men involved in the killing of Estate Superintendent Nihal Perera from leaving the country

Lankan man arrested for sexual assault in Sydney

A Lankan man was arrested at Blacktown Railway Station on Monday morning and charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault

Two killed in road tragedy

Two people, including a policeman, were killed and another injured in a collision between a tipper truck and a three-wheeler near the second mile post on the Mahiyanganaya-Randenigala Road this morning, police said. Pictures

Advert restriction on Fonterra continued

The interim order preventing Fonterra from advertising that its products are 100% perfect has been extended until September 20 by the Court of Appeal today

Brother and sister drowned

A nine-year-old boy and his seven-year-old sister have died after drowning in a quagmire in Vavanawatta,  Piliyandala.