SL seeks more Saudi tourists

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh is aggressively promoting Sri Lanka as a tourist destination and plans to double Saudi tourist visits from 19,500 to 40,000 in the next three years

No additional foreign security for CHOGM delegates

No additional security contingents would be accompanying the visiting Heads of State during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be held in Colombo in November, External Affairs Ministry Secretary K. Amunugama said today

Power cut from Sept. 12 to 24

The electricity supplies to several areas in the Western Province - south and Southern Province would be terminated for a duration of two hours at a time operating rotationally in different areas from September 12 to 24 starting 8.30 am to 10.30 pm in order to facilitate the construction work of the Colombo Outer Circular Highway. See full schedule inside

Sumithrayo to observe WSPD

World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is an awareness day which is observed on September 10 every year was organised in Sri Lanka by the Sri Lanka Sumithrayo (SLS). Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Dhammadeepa Council to nurture religious amity

The newly-formed Dhammadeepa Council led by the Venerable Mahanayake Theras of the three Nikayas and the Diyawadane Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa said today it would formulate a national plan to end religious tension in the country in a manner that was favourable to all religious groups. 

India confirms warships to SL

While claiming that the agreement to provide warships to Sri Lanka was signed several years ago, India today said if Tamils were to be harmed by those warships, it would take suitable action

Probe on police officers made to kneel down

Police Headquarters today launched an investigation into the incident where police officers attached to the Kattankudi Police Station were allegedly forced to kneel in the presence of a senior police officer last Sunday, acting police spokesman Ajith Rohana said

Troops educated on wildlife protection

Troops deployed in the close vicinity of forest reserves and wildlife sanctuaries in the South were educated on the protection of wildlife and the conservation of forests reserves, the Army said.

Video: Govt. using Pillay as excuse to remove DS statue: UNP

The main opposition United National Party (UNP) today accused the government of attempting to remove the statue of late Prime Minister D. S. Senanayake that is at the Independence Square by using UN Human Rights Chief Navanethem Pillay as the excuse for doing so

Some 14.5% of Lankan men admit to rape

According to a UN survey on ‘violence against women’, a little more than 14.5 % or more than one in 10 men in Sri Lanka had admitted to having committed at least one rape FULL REPORT

IPL 7 may move to Sri Lanka

The next season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) - or at least some matches of the T20 tournament - may be played outside India. Sri Lanka or Bangladesh, or both, could be the likely host, a top cricket board official said

Contraband seized at customs

A stock of 626 packets of illegally imported cigarettes and three refrigerators valued at around Rs. 3,280,000 had been seized by custom officials at the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Customs Media Spokesman Leslie Gamini said today

More than 100 hospitalised for food poisoning

More than 100 people, including children, who took part in a Pooja at a Kovil in Dik-Oya, Hatton this morning had taken ill due to food poisoning and were admitted to the Dik-Oya Hospital, hospital sources said

MV Farah III sold as scrap

The wrecked Jordanian registered ship ‘MV Farah III’, lying at Mullivaikkal, in Mullative has been sold to a private party for scrap, and being demolished now, sources said

Two suspicious containers in RTF custody

Two more suspicious containers believed to contain drugs have been seized by the Customs Revenue Task Force (RTF) for further investigation upon their arrival from Karachi in Pakistan

IIFE exhibition at Galadari

The India International Fabric Expo (IIFE) for 2013 was commenced at the Galadari Hotel today. Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapakse was the Chief Guest at the event. The exhibition will end on the 10th Of September. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Nidhanaya resurrected from the Ashes: Lester

Globally renowned filmmaker Dr. Lester James Peries had all reasons to smile today when he met film journalists to share his views about the screening of the restored version of his celebrated movie ‘Nidhanaya’ at the prestigious Venice Film Festival last week - for the second time in 41 years

SL asks Pillay to give ‘specific info’

Sri Lanka today called on UN Rights Chief Navanethem Pillay to provide ‘specific information’ about intimidation or attacks on human rights defenders, journalists and communities, if any.

Video: JHU walks out of PSC

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) today walked out of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) sessions accusing it of having failed to scrap what the party described as ‘separatist provisions’ in the Constitution before the Northern polls ???

Army Commander meets US Army Chief

Army Commander Daya Ratnayake on Monday met Chief of Staff of the US Army, General Raymond T. Odierno in New Zealand and exchanged views on bilateral importance and mutual interest

Sunila passes away

Civil society activist Sunila Abesekera passed away in Colombo a short while ago, family members said. Sunila Abeysekera is an award winning human rights campaigner

Towards a future of peace

107 rehabilitated former LTTE cadres were released from their respective rehabilitation centres at a ceremony held today.75 former carders who were rehabilitated at the Welikanda rehabilitation camp, and 35 former carders rehabilitated at the Puththotam camp in Vavuniya were among those who were released after completion of their programmes. Pix by Wanni Romesh Madusanka

Video: Govt. mortgaging state property to China: UNP

The main opposition United National Party (UNP) said today the government was mortgaging valuable state property to China on the one side while creating hype about pseudo patriotism ???

Noori murder suspects to confess

Four suspects arrested in connection with the killing of the estate superintendent Nihal Perera today informed the Awissawela Chief Magistrate Anushka Seneviratne that they were willing to provide on camera statements.

Pillay expresses concern

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay today expressed her concern for the protection of human rights defenders, journalists and communities she met during her visit in Sri Lanka from any reprisal, intimidation or attack

EC requests media blackout

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya today requested all media institutions to refrain from taking photographs and video images of the marking of Postal votes, the government information department said

Rehabilitated former cardres released

107 rehabilitated former LTTE cadres were released from their respective rehabilitation centres at a ceremony in which Minister D.E. W. Gunasekara was the Chief Guest.

Customs seize foreign currency, gold at BIA

A Korean national carrying foreign currency amounting to Rs. 1,500,000 was arrested last night at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), customs officials said today.

Sri Lanka seeks higher wages for housemaids

A senior official from the Sri Lankan government told Arab News Sunday that it needs higher wages and adequate security for domestic workers coming to the Kingdom for employment

Prabha may have become CM, says SF

If Prabhakaran had surrendered, he would have been with the Rajapaksa family now and also have become Chief Minister, Former Army Commander and General Secretary of the New Democratic Party Sarath Fonseka said in Jaffna on Saturday.