Hopeful of tangible results on SL Tamils issue-Indian minister

Shipping Minister G K Vasan today said he expected tangible results from the recent dialogue between External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse towards ensuring safety of Tamils in the island and also put an end to attacks on Tamil Nadu fishermen.

Ranil in Matara

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and several other party officials today visited the Matara prison to see those who were remanded following the attack between two groups of UNP supporters in Matara last Saturday. Pix by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk

Sharma shrugs off jibe by Canadian Senator

One of India’s most distinguished international civil servants has shrugged off a ferocious personal attack from a Canadian politician who described him as a “shill” or stooge of the Sri Lankan government

Four policemen arrested for soliciting bribe

Four police personnel including a sub inspector and three constables attached to the Kalutara police station were arrested for allegedly soliciting a bribe from a bootlegger, police said.

Nine arrested over Wadduwa abduction

Nine people have been arrested in connection with the abduction of Wadduwa Serene Pavilion CEO Anura Lokuhetti yesterday, police said.

Unusual ants not new breed –MRI

The unusual species of ant found in and around Panadura has been identified as Monomorium Floricola by the Medical Research Institute (MRI), Director Dr. Anil Samaranayake said

Mannar Bishop to take up poaching crisis with TN

Mannar Bishop the Rt. Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph said he intended making representation to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayaram and DMK Leader Muthuvel Karunanidhi with regard to poaching by Indian fishermen and that he would demand immediate action be taken against them

UNP rebels stick to their guns

The ‘Jathika Pawra’ organisation which organised last Saturday’s protest march in Matara demanding a change in the United National Party (UNP) leadership, yesterday reiterated that the UNP leader should resign

Firefighting drill at BOC

A firefighting drill by the Sri Lankan Air force and the Colombo Fire Brigade was held at the Bank of Ceylon Headquarters adjoining the World Trade Centre today.  More than 1,500 bank employeesparticipated. Pix by KushanPathiraja

UN slams Lankan boat returns as possible rights breach

The United Nations has slammed as a possible breach of the Refugee Convention the Abbott government's plans to speedily send a group of Sri Lankan asylum seekers home

NWPC: Setback for UPFA at inaugural meeting

In a major setback for the ruling UPFA at today’s inaugural session of the newly elected North-Western Provincial Council (NPC), UPFA member Dharmasiri Dassanayake was elected NPC Chairman instead of the ruling party choice Indrani Dassanayake

Video: The protesters attacked us, we retaliated: Mangala

United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera today said his supporters attacked those who took part in last Saturday’s protest march against the UNP leadership in retaliation

‘Kudu Ruwan’ remanded for 14 days

One of the suspects involved in the shooting of a rival gangster in Dematogoda surrendered to Court this morning and was remanded for 14 days by the Colombo Magistrate

Serene Pavilion CEO abducted and released

Wadduwa Serene Pavilion CEO Anura Lokuhetti was abducted and left by the roadside at Bandaragama early this morning. He alleged that he was assaulted by the gangsters who abducted him. The tourist resort CEO was admitted to the Panadura Base Hospital

Some boycott NPC oath taking ceremony

Several constituent party members elected to the Northern Provincial Council from Tamil National Alliance (TNA), today boycotted the swearing in ceremony held to appoint TNA Ministers and PC members at Weerasingham Hall in Jaffna

Lankan team attack case adjourned

A special bench of the Lahore High Court on Thursday adjourned till October 24 the hearing of the Punjab government appeal seeking cancellation of bail granted to Zubair alias Naik Muhammad, alleged mastermind of attack on Sri Lankan cricket team

Video: New Dy. Minister intends to work hard

The newly appointed Deputy Minister of Minor Export Crop Promotion, Nishantha Muthuhettigama said he had been given a ministry so that he could work for the people, and that he intended to work hard towards the betterment of his ministry

MV Ocean Princess docks at Colombo Harbour

MV Ocean Princess made its maiden voyage to Colombo yesterday with 672 passengers aboard. The agency services for this cruise line is provided by Malship (Ceylon) Limited, a company representing many International Shipping Lines in the Conventional and Container shipping business. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana ???

Video:Dilshan retires from test cricket

Former Sri Lanka Cricket Captain T.M. Dilshan today officially announced his retirement from test cricket at a press conference held at the Cricket Board. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Ranil fears govt. eyeing facebook

Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today asked Parliament whether the government had decided to ban the social network site facebook or limit access to it.

Video: Add nine more

Nine new parliamentarians were sworn in as Deputy Ministers before President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat today. Pix by President’s Media???

Lankan elected to top post at UN General Assembly

The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, elected the Minister Counsellor of the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York, Waruna Sri Dhanapala, as Vice Chair of the Second Committee for its 68th Session.

Tendulkar to retire after 200th Test

Sachin Tendulkar has decided to call it quits. In a media statement released through the Board of Control for Cricket in India on Thursday afternoon, the 40-year-old Tendulkar said his 200th Test will be the last time he will be seen in India colours

Uni students protest

Students of the University of Visual & Performing Arts today held a protest outside the University premises urging the authorities to resolve several issues, including administrative and students’ issues. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: Sampur Plant is a ‘bribe’ given to Dr. Singh -JVP

The agreement to set up the Sampur Coal Power Plant Project was signed by the Sri Lankan Government mainly to induce Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to attend the CHOGM in Colombo, JVP parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayaka said. “Signing the agreement is clearly a ‘bribe’ given to Dr. Singh ,” he said.

Kidnapped Libya PM 'Is Released'

Libya's Prime Minister Ali Zeidan has reportedly been freed after being kidnapped by scores of gunmen in a pre-dawn raid

Get your Eyes Tested

An eye clinic was held in the Colombo Eye Hospital to mark the World Sight Day which falls today. The theme for this year is Get your Eyes Tested.

Britain cuts funding for the Commonwealth

Britain has pulled funds from the Commonwealth over concerns about its leadership and performance, it emerged on Wednesday, as the troubled organisation faces mounting criticism over its forthcoming summit in Sri Lanka, the Telegraph reported

Video: Army celebrates 64th anniversary

The Army celebrated its 64th anniversary today at the CR and FC Grounds under the patronage of Army Commander Daya Ratnayake. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana ???

Disaster rehearsals tomorrow

A disaster management rehearsal would be held tomorrow (October 11) covering in all the 25 Districts in the country in line with the International Disaster Reduction day, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said