Meeting future politicos

The UNHR Commissioner Navaneetham Pillay today visited the Sri Lanka Youth Parliament in Maharagama. She was warmly welcomed by representatives of the Youth Parliament. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

MR meets Pillay

President Mahinda Rajapaksa met visiting Human Rights Commissioner for the United Nations a short while ago, the government information department said.

Couple found dead inside their shop

The bodies of a husband and wife were found inside their shop at the Kottamulla in Ratnapura today, Police said

Video: Sad to see religion being misused: Pillay

While expressing concern over the youth suicide rate in the country, the United Nation Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay said she was disturbed when religion was misused to mobilise young people of one community against another

Video: Customs seize close to 100 kg of heroin

Customs Revenue Task Force (RTF) officials today seized the largest-ever stock of heroin in Sri Lanka with the detection of more than 100 kilogrammes worth some one billion rupees imported from Pakistan Pictures

Find them for us: Parents’ Front tells Pillay

The Dead and Missing Persons’ Parents Front today held a demonstration outside the UN Office in Colombo to urge UN High Human Rights Chief Navi Pillai to inquire into the 50,000 Sinhala, Tamil and Muslims including soldiers who died or went missing during the war. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Audio: I won’t militarize the Police: Mallawaarachchi

Retired Major General Nanda Mallawaarachchi said today his appointment as Secretary of the new Public Law and Order Ministry would in no way lead to the militarization of the Police Department VIDEO

Weliweriya incident:top army officers relieved from posts

Army Commander Daya Rathnayake has ordered to relieve a Brigadier and three Lieutenant Colonels from their appointments to facilitate the further inquiries on the Weliweriya incident as recommended by the Court of Inquiry, the army announced.

Zimbabwe tour canceled

The scheduled Sri Lanka tour to Zimbabwe in October, this year has been canceled due to issues currently faced by the Zimbabwe Cricket, Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga said.

Import of vehicles: CB imposes 100% deposit requirement

The Central Bank has imposed a 100 per cent margin deposit requirement against the Letters of Credit opened with the commercial banks for the import of motor vehicles, other than buses, ambulances, lorries and trucks.

MEA opposes DMK debate on Katchatheevu

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India has opposed DMK's attempt to force a discussion on the sensitive issue of India's agreement with Sri Lanka on the Katchatheevu island

Australian Finch hits record T20 international score

Australia opener Aaron Finch smashed the highest score in a Twenty20 international on Thursday when he reached 156 in his team's 248 for six in the first of two matches against England

GL ticks off Pillay

The government yesterday conveyed its displeasure to United National High Commissioner Navanethem Pillay over her statement that the Police Department should be placed within the purview of the Justice Ministry

Another nabbed with gold in rectum

A Sri Lankan who attempted to smuggle three pieces of gold weighing 621 g worth Rs. 3.1 million to Mumbai has been arrested last night by Customs officers at the BIA, Customs Director and media spokesman Leslie Gamini said

Weliweriya witnesses step forward

Three witnesses who gave evidence during the magisterial inquiry into the Weliweriya shooting make their way outside the Gampaha Magistrate court complex after giving evidence. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Pillay at the HRC

Visiting United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner for Navanethem Pillay seen leaving the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission head office after participating in a discussion with its representatives. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Don’t turn CMC into a fish market: Mayor

Colombo’s Mayor A.J.M. Muzammil today warned council members not to turn the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) into a fish market, after intense verbal exchanges ensued when the Mayor permitted to table a motion regarding the burning of important documents of the CMC recently at the Borella cemetery

Video: 48 deportees arrive in SL

A group of 48 asylum seekers who illegally migrated to Australia and were deported, arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport in a special charter flight today. They are to be produced at the Negombo Magistrate Courts. Pix by Nirmala Ferdinandus-Airport ???

Test run from Kilinochchi-Omanthai

A train from Kilinochchi to Omanthai went on a test run today fir the first time since the 30-year war. The railway line from Kilinochchi to Omanthai is under construction and is scheduled to commence train services by September 14.

Final stamp for telegrams in SL from October

The 157 year-old telegram service in Sri Lanka will come to a stop from the end of October this year, Telecommunication and Information Technology Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya announced today

Video: South Korean PM visits container terminal

South Korean Prime Minister Jung Hong-won today visited the Colombo Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) which is being constructed by the Korean Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company Ltd. It is scheduled to be completed in 2016. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Appeal Court bans illegal animal slaughter

The Appeal Court today issued an order banning illegal animal slaughter that violates Sri Lanka’s laws and regulations. The order was given when the Appeal Court took up for hearing several petitions filed on animal sacrifice at the Munnewaram Kovil

Jaya slams Centre for ‘muted response’

Slamming the Centre for remaining a “mute spectator” on the frequent arrests of Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Thursday said there was no concerted action on securing their release

Fire destroys shopping complex

Two shops were completely destroyed in a fire that occurred at a shopping complex near Puttalam town early this morning. The floor-room of a shop selling push cycles on an upper storey of the building and its store room at the basement were completely destroyed in the fire. Pix by Jude Samantha

Boy drowns while flying kite

A five year old boy who was flying a kite in an abandoned paddy field at Kotatlawalapura in Nawagamuwa on Wednesday evening fell into a pit and drowned.

27 illegal asylum seekers netted

27 people were taken into custody from Ambalangoda, Galle and Beruwala areas while they were getting ready to flee to Australia illegally as asylum seekers last night, police said

Damned if I do, damned if I don’t: Sangakkara

Caught in a cross-fire of yet another debate of his loyalty to his country, Kumar Sangakkara’s representation at the Champions League T20 tournament will likely be decided by the country’s cricket governing body, Sri Lanka Cricket

German national drowns in Hikkaduwa

A 25-year-old German national drowned and went missing while bathing with three others at Hikkaduwa Sea behind a beach hotel in Hikkaduwa last evening, police said

Pillay goes off track

Visiting UN Human Rights Commissioner Navanethem Pillay yesterday went off her provided schedule, and had met a prominent Christian Priest in the Trincomalee District

Korean PM here

Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Jung Hong-won arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) a short while ago on a three-day official visit to Sri Lanka, Government Information Department said