HR activist charged with screening ‘No Fire Zone’

A Malaysian human rights activist claimed trial at the magistrate's court in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday to screening a documentary on the Sri Lankan civil war -No Fire Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka-without prior approval from the Film Censorship Board in Malaysia.

19 TN fishermen arrested by SL Navy

Nineteen fishermen, who ventured into the sea from Pudukottai district, were on Thursday arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy when they went for fishing in the Palk Strait, officials said

Sexual bribe: Principal granted bail

The Kottawa Ananda Vidaylaya Principal, who was remanded on charges of having solicited a sexual bribe from a child’s mother, was today released on bail by a Colombo Court

Albino monkey found in Ampara

A five-month-old Albino monkey is seen playing with a deer in Ampara Wild life veterinary unit. It was brought to the veterinary unit after it was found in a house in Wawin area in Ampara. Pix by Chandana Liyanaarachchi

Lankans nabbed with gold in Goa

Two Sri Lankan passengers were arrested with 12 gold bars valued at Rs 3.60 crore from the Goa International Airport today, police said

SLFP final rally held

The final rally of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) was held today with the participation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Kandy. Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne, many SLFP parliamentarians and the candidates contesting the election attended the rally. Pix by President’s media.

Minor tremor in Badulla

A tremor measuring 2.8 Richter scale was reported from Lunugala area in Badulla this evening, Geological Survey and Mines Bureau said

Video: Wedding ceremony of ex-LTTE cadres

Ex-LTTE cadres who have undergone rehabilitation and who are now attached to the Civil Defense Force had their wedding ceremony in keeping with their respective religious beliefs at the Kilinochchi-Mullaitivu Joint Headquarters today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Former LTTE leader Paduman acquitted

LTTE’s former Trincomalee leader who was indicted on charges of having attacked army camps, assaulting soldiers and killing them was acquitted by the Trincomalee High Court Judge R.Amal Ranaraja.

KP hits out at TNA

While claiming that the election manifesto of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) had stronger demands than the Wadukkodai Resolution and was harmful for the country, former LTTE arms procurer Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP today accused the TNA of obstructing the immediate release of most of the LTTE suspects in custody

No liquor in election areas

The Excise Department said today that all the liquor shops in North, North Western and Central Provinces would be closed on September 21 in view of the provincial council elections

Heavy rains, strong winds

The Meteorology Department in its weather forecast for the next 24 hours today warned people specially those living in areas bordering the sea to be vigilant about the adverse weather situation.

‘Green Channel’ to reduce Customs clearance procedure

The Customs Department has introduced a new import declaration procedure to expedite the clearance of import cargo, Customs spokesman Leslie Gamini said today

NPC a facade: Karu

Calling the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) elections as a façade, UNP deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya today charged that it was held merely as a ploy to satisfy the international community, and not as a genuine attempt to allow the people in the North to democratically elect their own leaders.

Army probing alleged rape by soldier in Haiti

The Army is investigating allegations made by the international media that a Sri Lankan soldier posted in Haiti had raped an 18-year-old woman

Five SL fishermen apprehended

The Indian Coast Guard on Tuesday apprehended five Sri Lankans along with their boat for fishing in Indian waters. They will be handed over to Tuticorin police on Wednesday.

International awards for ‘ADA’

The special bilingual edition (Unity Paper) issued by the ADA newspaper for the National New Year-2013, bagged two Silver Awards for Development and Media at the Spikes Asia 2013 awards held in Singapore yesterday

Mali national arrested in Negombo

A Mali national was arrested by the Ethukala tourist police officials in Negombo for overstaying his visa and violating immigration laws, police said

Video: CAA makes its biggest raid ever

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) made the biggest raid in its history when officers recovered a huge consignment of expired food items which could be worth nearly Rs 100 million from a large storage in Kotahena yesterday ???

149th birth anniversary of Anagarika Dharamapala

Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Shri. Y.K. Sinha offering floral tributes to the statue of Anagarika Dharamapala with Sri Lanka Mahabodhi Society Chairman Ven. Banagala Upatissa Thera during the 149th birth anniversary of Anagarika Dharamapala at Mahabodhi Society in Colombo today. Pix by Nisal Baduge

ADIC anti-tobacco campaign

While a legal battle had ensued over the pictorial health warning on cigarette packets, Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) staged an agitation campaign today outside the Fort Railway Station demanding the publication of the anti-tobacco gazette notification. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Govt. has no right to question UNP/TNA relations – UNP

The United National Party (UNP) today said, the Government had no right to question the UNP’s relationship with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) because the Government was directly interacting with former LTTE personnel without taking legal action against them

Horticulture programme in Kebithigollewa

Sri Lankan Civil Defence Force (CDF) Para Military Unit engaged in a Horticulture programme in the North-Central region of Kebithigollewa today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Bollywood carrier in emergency landing

A helicopter carrying Bollywood actors had made an emergency landing in Dompe this afternoon, the Police said. The helicopter was travelling from Colombo to Koggala when the prevailing weather forced the helicopter to land

No conditions from India-GL

While claiming that all Commonwealth member countries except Canada and India have confirmed the participation of their heads of government at the November CHOGM, Sri Lanka today dismissed as speculation the suggestion that India had made three conditions if it was to ensure the participation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

OIC and four other officers interdicted

The Officer-in-Charge of the Athurugiriya Police Station and four other police officers have been interdicted pending an inquiry, police sources said.

Video: Kelaniya undergrads over attack on hostel

Kelaniya University Students today staged a protest march from the Kelaniya University to the University Grants Commission in Colombo over the attack on the University’s Kannagara Hostel last Saturday. Pix by KushanPathiraja ???

Tamil issue is being resolved- SL envoy

The Tamil issue in Sri Lanka is in the process of being resolved and the country's government is trying to find a solution to alleged human rights violations involving Tamil citizens, Sri Lankan High Commissioner in India Prasad Kariyawasam said today.

Cormorant Strike IV

The Sri Lanka Army-organized, ‘Exercise - Cormorant Strike IV – 2013,’ now underway in the Eastern Province, entered its final week on Tuesday (17). Pix courtesy Army Media

Video: Traffic on Kinsey road

Heavy traffic had been reported in Borella area as one lane of Kinsey Road has been closed due to a protest march by the students of the Kelaniya University, police said