Sharma is stooge of SL regime – Canadian envoy

Canada has launched a direct assault on the authority of the Commonwealth secretary general, attacking him as a stooge for a Sri Lankan regime it accuses of serious human rights abuses, London based, The Guardian reported on Tuesday.

Students released

Forty nine of the fifty three students of the South Eastern University in Samanthurai who were remanded were released on bail. Four of the students were further remanded for allegedly giving false evidence. Pix by Wasantha Chandrapala

We are suffering

A pensioner is seen shouting slogans at today’s demonstration organised by the All Island Collective of Pension Organisations. The demonstration was held outside the Fort Railway Station urging the government to resolve the anomalies in the Pension Scheme. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Lost and gained

In a 12-hour operation carried out by a team of doctors in the plastic surgery section of the Colombo National Hospital a completely severed penis was successfully rejoined, Unit’s Chief Surgeon Dr. Duleep Perera said

Unusual species of ants in Panadura

An unusual species of ants found in several areas in Panadura is being monitored by the Medical Research Institute, its director Dr. Anil Samaranayake said.

Mervyn’s coordinating Sec goes missing?

Two men including one who is suspected to be a coordinating secretary of Minister Mervyn Silva are reported to have gone missing around 5.00 a.m. today after their luxury jeep was found abandoned near the Gamini Theater Roundabout in Maradana.

Hail in Bandarawela

The Bandarawela town experienced hail accompanied with heavy rains this afternoon

Vass named key suspect in student assault case

Former DIG Vass Gunawardene has been named as one of the key suspects in the Malabe campus student assault case

Customs seize valuable cargo

Two barrels said to contain 50Kgs of wallapatta or sandal wood oil valued at Rs.10 million, were seized by the Customs this morning at the Katunayake cargo terminal. The goods were detected at the time were being prepared for export to Singapore

Maithri,Lakthilaka seek special security

UNP Southern Provincial Councillor Maithri Gunaratne said he and Provincial Councillor Shiral Lakthilaka had requested for special police security from the Police Chief

MR meets Kurshid

Indian Minister of External Affairs Salman Khurshid called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the President’s House this morning.

Che Riders mark Che Day

A motorcycle parade called Che Riders, organised by the Socialist Youth Union (SYU) to mark the international Che Day began today at the Hyde Park grounds in Colombo. The parade will end in Vavuniya on Sunday. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: Ranil willing to step down if another leader is found

United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has decided to handover the party leadership to any party member who could prove he or she was eligible to lead the party, UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said

Express mail service with several innovations

The Department of Post will mark the World Post Day with the official launch of its express mail service tomorrow with several innovative facilities provided to users, Post Master General Rohana Abeyratne said

Lankans arrested with 32 kg of gold bars

In a major operation, officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) busted a gold smuggling racket involving Sri Lankan nationals, who adopted a novel technique by hiding gold bars in the toilet of an aircraft bound for New Delhi

SC annuls 1st round of presidential polls, calls for fresh elections

The Maldives Supreme Court, in a midnight ruling, has annulled the results of the first round elections of September 7, in which Maldivian Democratic Party candidate, Mohamed Nasheed, stood first with over 45.45 per cent of the popular vote

Maliban milk powder prices increased

The price of a 400 gramme packet of Maliban milk powder has been increased by Rs. 70 while the price of a 1 kg. packet has gone up by Rs. 185 from last Friday, the Maliban milk powder company said

Alistair Burt out in cabinet reshuffle

British Foriegn Minister Alistair Burt has confirmed he is leaving his position as Foreign Office minister in today’s Cabinet reshuffle.

One step backward!

. Opposition and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe seen here leaving party head quarters ‘Sirikotha’ after the working committee meeting this evening. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

A Council to handle UNP affairs

Ending weeks of anxiousness and curiosity, the UNP Working Committee today decided to appoint a powerful supreme council to handle party affairs.

Ranil blames govt for Matara clash

United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said today no party members were involved in the clash at Matara. He accused the Government of manipulating the clash with the intention of destroying the main opposition party

Indian PM’s attendance at CHOGM in the balance

Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, who is on a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka, said Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s participation at the CHOGM would be announced in due time

DP members take oaths before SF

Five Democratic Party members who were successful at the recent Provincial Council Elections, took oaths today before party leader Sarath Fonseka at the DP head office in Kotte. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Abbott says won’t toe Canadian line

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott says he has no intention of following Canada's leader in boycotting next month's Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka because of human rights concerns

Earthquake off Ampara

A 4.5 magnitude undersea earthquake had been detected 400 km east, off the coast of Panama, Ampara today noon, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau said

Did Matara police look the other side?

A team of police personnel led by senior DIG Gamini Navaratne is conducting a special probe to check whether the police neglected their duties when the peace march organised by UNP reformists was attacked in Matara.

I will work with Dayasiri- Johann Fernando

North Western Provincial Councillor Johann Fernando-the son of Minister Johnston Fernando who came second in the preferential votes list to Chief Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said that he will work with the new CM as President Mahinda Rajapaksa asked all the elected members to work with him.

Wigneswaran sworn-in as NPC CM

Northern Province Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran is being greeted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa just after his swearing in at Temple Trees. Pic presidential media

Canadian PM won’t attend CHOGM

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper while confirming he would not attend the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo said the Sri Lankan government had failed to uphold the core values of the Commonwealth

Arrest warrant on Sathosa Chairman

The Fort Magistrate today issued a warrant for the arrest of the Sathosa Chairman as he was not present in court for the inquiry over his failure to produce the CCTV footage on the fire at the Sathosa building