CHOGM: Karunanidhi wants pro-Eelam leader to break indefinite fast

DMK chief M Karunanidhi on Friday urged a pro-Tamil outfit leader, on an indefinite fast here since the last three days to press for expelling Sri Lanka from Commonwealth of Nations and shifting a meeting of CHOGM from Colombo, to protest through other non-violent means.

Kelaniya Campus Students’ protest

The Students’ Union of the Kelaniya University today attempted to march from the Kelaniya University to the Presidential Secretariat regarding issues such as hostel facilities and student suppression by campus administration. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Gamage willing to resign as national organiser

United National Party (UNP) national organiser Daya Gamage had informed party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe that he was willing to resign from his post if a suitable replacement was found.

Children’s Park in Kalapaluwawa

A children’s park was opened recently in Sri Siddhartha Maha Vidyalaya premises at Kalapaluwawa, under the patronage of Housing and Engineering Services Minister Wimal Weerawansa. Pix by Waruna Wanniaarachchi

LTTE bunker destroyed

An underground hide out bunker in Pudukudirippu which was at risk of collapsing, has been detonated by the army today, Military Spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasuriya said.

Colombo – Katunayake to be opened on October 27

The Katunayake -Colombo expressway is scheduled to be open for vehicles on October 27. It will be preceded by three days of public viewing.

Video: No more at Hyde Park Corner

Those occupying unauthorised business premises at Hyde Park Corner (Ibbanwela Junction) were today evicted by the Urban Development Authority (UDA). Pix by Nisal Baduge

Kapukotuwa resigns

United National Party (UNP) Treasurer Senarath Kapukotuwa resigned from his post today in order to pave the way for party reforms

Video: CB Governor to blame for SL financial crisis: UNP

Central Bank Governor Nivaard Cabraal must be arrested as the person who is responsible for Sri Lanka’s financial crisis, the United National Party (UNP) said today

Video: Principals want salary anomalies resolved

A school principals’ union protested outside the Education Ministry in Battaramulla, to urge the authorities to resolve their issues including salary anomalies. The protest coincides with tomorrow’s Teachers’ Day. Pix by PradeepPathirana

53 students remanded in Samanthurai

Fifty three students including three female students of the South Eastern University in Samanthurai were remanded by the Samanthurai Magistrate today.

Wigneswaran to take oaths before MR

Retired Supreme Court Judge and Northern Province Chief Minister elect, C.V. Wigneswaran will take oaths before President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Chief Minister on October 7, at the Temple Trees, the TNA said.

Khurshid to visit SL to take up fishers issue

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid will visit Sri Lanka on October 7 to hold discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa and senior officials there on halting the recurring attacks and arrests of Indian fishermen

Traffic due to student protest

A traffic Congestion is reported in Maradana , and its surrounding areas due to a protest march by the University students of Kelaniya.

Customs team apprehends Lankan

A day after the district police had arrested a Sri Lankan Tamil who landed at Arichalmunai off Danushkodi from Jaffna, a Customs team apprehended a Sri Lankan Tamil, who arrived clandestinely from Talaimannar and two refugees who attempted to flee to Talaimannar on Thursday

TNA leader meets President

TNA leader R. Sampanthan met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees this morning, the President's office said

Switzerland defends deportation of Sri Lankans

Switzerland on Thursday defended the deportation of two asylum seekers who were arrested upon returning to Sri Lanka, saying they were accused of backing Tamil rebels

Pay salary arrears

The National Health Services Union (NHSU) held a protest outside the National Hospital yesterday demanding the authorities pay salary arrears. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Weliweriya shooting: Army exceeded its remit

The Court of Inquiry appointed Army Commander Lt. General Daya Ratnayake had found that the army had exceeded their legal duties during the Weliveriya shootings, and a ‘summary of evidence’ is currently under way in order to frame charges for a Court Martial

Video: Invoking blessings on Army

Army Commander Lt. Gen Rathnayake visited the Devatagaha Mosque in at Lipton Circus to invoke blessings on the army. The Army is celebrating its 64th anniversary this year, Observances invoking blessings on the army are being held at religious places of worship island-wide. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

District Judge orders count of sealed ballot papers

District Judge Ranga Dissanayake, today ordered the Puttalam police through the Registrar of Courts to inform the officers who conducted investigations into the marked ballot papers found at St. Andrew’s College Puttalam, to open the sealed packets containing marked ballot papers and subject them to a recount

Leaflets to highlight 21 demands

The Trade Unions Coordinating Centre launched a leaflet distribution campaign at the Fort Railway Station to highlight their 21 demands which includes a salary increase for state employees. Pix Nisal Baduge

Video: ‘School children addicted to sexual enhancement drugs’

The Cosmetics Devices and Drugs Control Authority said there was a high tendency of school children getting addicted to sexual enhancement drugs to merely get a kick out of such drugs, which has become a serious issue

Video: Fruitful results

A cheerful Dayasiri Jayasekara arriving at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple today just after taking oaths before President Mahinda Rajapaksa, as the North Western Province Chief Minister. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Protest against appointment of CP Chief Minister

A protest was held in Kandy town against the appointment of Sarath Ekanayake as Chief Minister of the Central Province by supporters of Anuradha Jayaratne who obtained the highest number of preferential votes in the Province

Namal appointed new rugby captain

Namal Rajapaksa replaced his brother Yoshitha as Sri Lanka’s national rugby captain ahead of the Serendib International Cup 2013 to be played in Sri Lanka later this month, as preparation for next years Asian Five Nations tournament

SL wants Nepal to stop screening three films

The Sri Lankan Government has pressurised the Nepali authorities to stop the screening of all three documentaries from Sri Lanka selected for the Film Southasia (FSA) 2013.

Tissa Attanayake’s resignation accepted

UNP media spokesman Gayantha Karunathilaka said today that UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake’s resignation as the Kunadasale organiser has been accepted by party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today

Navy operation to rescue 65 on-board stranded vessel

The Sri Lanka Navy has launched an operation to rescue 65 individuals on board a vessel stranded between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, the Navy said.

Undergrads clash in Sammanthurai; 23 injured

At least 23 undergraduates attached to the South Eastern University in Sammanthurai were injured and 41 undergraduates were arrested by the police following a clash between two students factions of the Science Faculty a short while ago, police said.