Bangladesh restricts Fonterra dairy products pending tests

Customs authorities in Bangladesh have restricted the import of more than 600 tonnes of powdered milk mainly from New Zealand-based Fonterra pending mandatory chemical tests, a senior official said on Tuesday.

Video: UNP calls for Independent Police Commission

The United National Party (UNP) today said the Police Department could not be streamlined and depoliticized just by bringing it under the purview of a new ministry

Pillay needs more time to fully assess HR situation

UN Human Rights Commissioner Nawaneetham Pillay said today at the UNHRC office in Jaffna that she had many questions regarding the Human Rights situation in Sri Lanka and that it would take her some time to give a full assessment of the situation in Sri Lanka

SL- Belarus sign 7 bilateral agreements

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko signed seven agreements and memorandums of understanding today

Kelaniya Bridge closed from 8.00 p.m. today till 6.00 a.m. tomorrow

The entrance lane to Colombo over the new Kelaniya Bridge will be closed for traffic between 8.00 p.m. today till 6.00 a.m. tomorrow because of the ongoing work on the Colombo-Katunayake Highway, police said

Video: The golden rectum

A 50-year-old Sri Lankan was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on charges of having attempted to smuggle 600g of gold worth Rs.3 million last night, Customs Director and media spokesman Leslie Gamini said ???

Child drowns

A two and a half-year-old child drowned in the sea near a hotel in Marawila last morning, police said. They said the child had managed to escape the attention of the parents and reach the seas in close proximity to their house

Local group promoting sexual violence on Facebook

Local users of the popular social networking site ‘Facebook’ were appalled when attempts made by them to report and block several pages and groups that promote sexual violence, were not accepted by Facebook administrators

More lands released in Jaffna-military

The military said that several army camps in the Jaffna peninsula were closed down today, further reducing the presence of troops in the area

Some countries using UNHRC to attack SL-MR

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has condemned the practice of certain countries for using the UN Human Rights Council against countries like Sri Lanka and Belarus, the President’s office said

Proper dietary habits lead to a healthy life: Veddah Chief

Veddah Chief Uruvarigelage Vanniyale Ettho said one must be cautious of his dietary habits and be a nature lover to live a healthy life.  He said a recent survey conducted by the western and indigenous medical specialists had found that no-one in the Veddah community suffered from renal diseases or diabetes although many others in the Redeemaliyedda division were victims of such ailments

12 batches of DCD-free milk powder released

Twelve more batches of milk powder imported from New Zealand and Australia were released to the market after laboratory tests by the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) had found they were free of dicyandiamide (DCD), the Health Ministry said today

Evidence recorded from 72 witnesses- Army

The Army said today that the Court of Inquiry appointed by Army Commander Lt. General Daya Rathnayake into the recent Weliweriya shootings, recorded evidence from 72 witnesses which include 58 Army personnel ‘associated with the incident’

Video: Ravana Balaya against Pillay visit

Protesters carrying placards against the visit of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay marching to UN compound in Thummulla. The protest march was organised by Ravana Balaya organisation today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana ???

Gang robs Rs.2.2 million

A gang of robbers have reportedly robbed Rs.2.2 million from a petrol station in Thihariya and have got away, the police said

Pillay raises “religious tensions” with Hakeem

Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem said today that visiting UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay raised concerns regarding the rise in religious tensions, and said that he briefed her about the steps taken to curb violence directed at religious groups.Pictures

Doggy wedding!

The Police Kennels Headquarters organised a doggy wedding ceremony in Kandy to marry some of the canines in their care.Nearly twenty canine couples were ‘married’ at the ceremony.  Pix by Shane Senaviratne

Remove party symbols painted on the roads: UPFA

Sri Lanka Freedom Party  (SLFP) General Secretary and Minister Maithripala Sirisena today directed the police and the authorities to take immediate steps to remove the party symbols that are drawn on streets, Government Information Department said.

35 Indians caught poaching

The Navy last night arrested 35 Indian fishermen and confiscated their four boats when they were caught fishing off the coast of Kalpitiya well within Sri Lanka’s territorial waters, Navy spokesman Kosala Warnakulasooriya said today

N’Eliya Deputy Mayor remanded

The Deputy Mayor of Nuwara Eliya, Tissa Senaviratne who surrendered to Court was remanded until September 9 on allegation of child abuse

Video: Vaas remanded in separate case

Former DIG Vaas Gunawardhana was ordered to be remanded till September 4, by the Fort Magistrate today over a separate case of intimidating CID officers probing his case. Pictures

Ravana Balaya demo causes major traffic snarl up

A protest organized by ‘Ravana Balaya’ near United Nations office in Colombo  against UNHR Chief Navanethem  Pillay is causing major traffic congestions on roads in proximity to Bauddhaloka Mawata and Tummulla Junction

Karunanidhi asks Centre to follow Indira's path

DMK president M Karunanidhi on Sunday stressed that setting up of an Indian naval base in Dhanushkodi or Mandapam near Rameswaram will bring a "lasting solution" to the issue of alleged attacks on fishermen by the Sri Lankan navy.

Showcasing their talents

The annual ‘Sunshine Camp’ organised by the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) for the differently abled commenced today at the Dehiwela YMCA premises. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: OMG! I’m scared

The scholarship exam for Grade five students commenced this morning at 2,836 examination centres.  Picture shows students were waiting to enter an examination centre. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: I have not come here to criticize-Pillay

The visiting United Nations Human Rights Chief Navaneetham Pillay told the media today that she came to Sri Lanka not to criticise but to assess the human rights situation in the country.

Army refutes allegations, denounces heist

While deploring the fact that some parties were trying to implicate the Army in the alleged robbery that took place at the Bambalapitiya residence of a senior journalist

Saudi Lawyer to represent murdered SL woman

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Riyadh has hired a Saudi lawyer to plead the case for a Sri Lankan woman who was allegedly killed by her American husband in the Kingdom

Video: MR inspects Colombo-Katunayake Highway

President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his way to Belarus this morning inspected the Colombo-Katunayake Highway, the President’s office said. The President held talks with officers involved with the road construction as well.

Pillay in Colombo

United Nations Human Rights Chief Navaneethan Pillay who arrived in the country this morning, is seen here on her arrival at the Cinnamon Lakeside hotel, Colombo, where she will be staying. (Pix by Kushan Pathiraja)