No visas to meet VIP’s or for conferneces during CHOGM

The Government will not provide visas to any foreigner to attend conferences or meetings with Government officials in November except to those attending the scheduled events of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), the Ministry of External Affairs said

Sharma arrives

Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma arrived in Colombo a short while ago to attend the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo

Video: Typhoon Haiyan kills at least 100, flattens Philippine city

Typhoon Haiyan, possibly the strongest storm ever to hit land, has devastated the central Philippine city of Tacloban, killing at least 100 people and destroying most houses in a surge of flood water and high winds, officials said on Saturday

No official word yet, Manmohan may skip CHOGM

The Prime Minister’s Office late on Friday night denied that a final decision has been made to cancel Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s proposed visit to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Colombo beginning on November 15

Pakistan company wins Sri Lanka ID Card project

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) in Pakistan has won the Sri Lanka Identity Card project.

SL to set up national inquiry on torture-Sharma

The Commonwealth Secretariat will assist Sri Lanka in setting up a National Inquiry on Torture, its Secretary-General Mr. Kamalesh Sharma said in an interview to The Hindu at the Secretariat headquarters at Marlborough House on the eve of his departure to Colombo to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Pakistan Cricket Board owes $30,000 to SLC

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is yet to pay a sum of $30,000 to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for hiring a chartered plane after an armed attack on their team back in 2009.

City decoration

The bus halt outside the Fort railway station is seen removed to put up a new bus halt in line with the city decorations for the CHOGM. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Govt. wasting billions while poor are ignored

United National Party (UNP) Western Provincial Councillor Harshana Rajakaruna said the government was spending billions of rupees for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) while turning a blind eye to the plight of the poor, who were badly in need of relief.

Lanka bound heroin seized at karachi airport

Pakistan Customs on Friday seized about three kilogrammes of heroin that was being smuggled from Karachi airport to Sri Lanka through a courier company in a wooden box declared to contain crockery.

Congress fails to decide on PM trip to Sri Lanka

Amid growing political controversy over India’s participation in the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) meet in Sri Lanka, Congress top brass on Friday deliberated on the issue. A decision, however, is yet to be taken on whether Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will attend the November 15 event.

Cyril Dharmawardana passes away

Veteran actor and former Southern Provincial Council member  Cyril Dharmawardana (67) passed away today (November 8) at the Melbourne Peter Mac Hospital in Australia after battling cancer for the past couple of years, industry sources said.

WB funded city development to begin soon

The second phase of the World Bank funded Colombo City development project will include the extension of the Marine Drive to Roxy Theatre, to construct two beach parks in Crow Island and Marine Drive while constructing two fly overs for Pedestrians in Kollupitiya.

Video: Don’t privatise universities: IUSF protest

The Inter University Student Federation (IUSF) held a protest outsidethe Fort Railway Station today over the privatisation of universities and the violation of students’ rights. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

22,943 students gain university entrance

The University cut-off marks for the 2012/2013 academic year were released this afternoon with 22, 943 students gaining entrance out of the 55, 241 students who applied for university entrance, UGC said

CHOGM rehearsals at Nelum Pokuna

Students were seen at rehearsals outside the Nelum Pokuna Theatre preparing for the welcoming ceremony of the Heads of Government who will attend the CHOGM to be held in Colombo next week. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Law College Principal to relinquish post pending inquiry

The Sri Lanka Law College Principal Dr. W.D. Rodrigo has been asked to relinquish his post on December 31 until which time he would be on leave

Beautifying Town Hall ahead of CHOGM

The Civil Security Department (CSD) today added the finishing touches in beautifying Colombo City by planting bougainvillea along the roads leading to Town Hall ahead of the Commonwealth Week that is to begin next week. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Boycotting CHOGM may help SL Tamils-Desmond Tutu

A boycott of a meeting of Commonwealth leaders this month in Sri Lanka could help pressure Colombo to address alleged war crimes against minority Tamils, South African peace campaigner and Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu said on Thursday.

Cameron to demand SL war crimes investigation

British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Thursday he will demand that Sri Lanka investigates allegations of war crimes and human rights abuses when he visits the country for a meeting of Commonwealth leaders next week

23 injured in accident


At least 23 people were injured when a bus skidded off the road and crashed into a telephone post at Amunumulla junction on the Welimada – Haputale road this morning, the police said

Video: SL should withdraw from C'wealth: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today said that Sri Lanka should withdraw from the Commonwealth because the objective of the organisation, which had not changed in the course of history, was to maintain their colonial masters’ status

Video: UNP protest Packer’s venture

United National Party (UNP) held a demonstration at the Fort Railway station this evening against the impending casino business venture in Colombo. The opposition by Buddhist religious leaders and some political parties led the government to announce on October 23 that it will alter tax concessions granted to Australian gambling tycoon James Packer's Crown Ltd for a $400 million hotel resort that will include a casino. Pix by Pradeep Pathir

PBOA commends ban of mobile phones for drivers

Private Bus Owners Association (PBOA) President Gamunu Wijeratne said today they would fully agree with the initiatives taken to ban the use of mobile phones by Private bus drivers

Local Express Post System launched

A Local Express Post System commenced at the Postal Headquarters at D.R. Wijewardena Mawatha, Colombo today. The Secretary to the Ministry of Postal Services Hemasiri Fernando hands over the first mail to the Postmaster General D.L.P. Rohana Abeyaratne to inaugurate occasion. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Visa denied for IBAHRI delegation

Entry to Sri Lanka has been denied to participants of an International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) high-level delegation which includes the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers Gabriela Knaul, and the first UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers ParamCumaraswamy, IBAHRI said

UK Minister meets SL envoy over SL student murder

UK’s Minister of State for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Hugo Swire has held talks with Sri Lanka's High Commissioner in London, Dr. Chris Nonis on Wednesday on the recent murder of a Sri Lankan student Thavisha Lakindu Peiris, in Sheffield last Sunday

Three Lankan researchers forced to leave TN

Three Sri Lankan researchers were forced to leave Coonoor near Udhagamandalam in the early hours of today following pro-Tamil outfits' plans to stage demonstrations, police said.

No mod helmets for motorcyclists

The regulations, prohibiting the use of motorcycle helmets, which cover the whole face and helmets with tinted visors, will be strictly enforced with immediate effect, police said today

PM's visit will give India more leverage over SL: TNA

As Colombo is gearing up to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), moderate leaders of the Tamil National Alliance, which formed the Northern Provincial Council Government recently, say they are not opposed to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Sri Lanka, especially if it includes a trip to Jaffna