CHOGM 2013: Country representatives visit SL

More than 70 representatives from 15 Commonwealth countries are currently in Sri Lanka on an advance visit to make preparations for their respective delegations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2013, the Task Force Secretariat for CHOGM 2013 said in a media

New law to prohibit publications defamatory of the major religions

The Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs Ministry is to introduce a new law seeking action against publications, either in print or online, that defames the original teachings and traditions of the major religions, officials said yesterday

Court orders removal of sign board

Pelassa Magistrate Namal Perera ordered the Moulavi of the Paragahadeniya Grand Mosque in Mawathagama and the Road Development Authority yesterday, to remove the sign board erected in front of the Mawathagama Paragahadeniya Mosque, which reads, ‘Mosque ahead- keep silence’, within 14 days.

Army report on Rathupaswala on Aug 21

The date of submission of the preliminary report of the committee appointed by Army Commander Daya Ratnayake to investigate the events that took place in Rathupaswala on August 1, has now postponed to August 21, informed sources said.

SL umpire Ponnadurai dies, aged 78

Former test and one-day international umpire Selliah Ponnadurai has died at the age of 78, Sri Lanka Cricket said on Thursday. Ponnadurai officiated in the country's maiden test victory over India in 1985

Pillay to make field visits to N/E

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, who will make an official visit to Sri Lanka from August 25 to 31, on the invitation extended by the Sri Lankan Government, will undertake field visits to the North and East of the country, her spokesperson Rupert Colville said

'Kotiya Sunil' arrested

Heroin dealer Kotiya Sunil had been arrested with 33 packets of heroin this morning at his residence in Wellawatte by the Wellawatte Police anti-vice squad.

Traffic Jam at Kelaniya

Heavy traffic is reported in Peliyagoda and surrounding areas as one lane of the new Kelaniya Bridge was closed due to the extension of the Katunayake-Colombo Expressway

India will secure rights over Katchatheevu: Jayalalithaa

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa today hoped that India will soon regain its rights over the Katchatheevu island that was ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974

Teacher damages mosque board

A Muslim school teacher has been arrested for damaging the board of the mosque in Paragahadeniya in Mawathagama in Kurunegala district

Lankan detained in Cyprus

Migrant support group KISA on Wednesday called for the release of a Sri Lankan man who has lived, worked and raised his children in Cyprus with his wife for the past 20 years but who has been detained for living on the island illegally

Video: Gotabaya to meet Navi Pillay

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa will meet the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navaneetham Pillai to brief her on the security situation in the country and on accountability when she arrives in the island, said Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Jagath Jayasuriya ???

Video: Four professors in London allegedly to support Tigers

At the Security Council meeting today, the State Intelligence Service (SIS) informed that four professors from local universities are in London on the invitation of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE).

Commissioners appointed to investigate into missing persons

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has appointed three members to the Commission tasked with investigating cases of persons who went missing from the Northern and Eastern Provinces during the war, Presidential Spokesman and International Media Unit said today

Video: Tension in Fort

A tense situation prevails in Colombo Fort after demonstrators pelted stones at the riot Police and are currently engaged in a sit down protest ???

Video: Army should have acted with responsibility – Rosy

UNP parliamentarian Rosy Senanayake said today the army should have acted with responsibility when taking on orders, whoever ordered them to fire at the innocent civilians who protested for clean water at Weliweriya ???

Traffic jam in Fort

Heavy traffic congestion is reported in Fort as one lane along the Olcott Mawatha in front of Fort Railway Station was closed due to the protest by opposition

Don’t let anybody cause public disturbance: Court

The Colombo Additional Magistrate ordered the Fort Police to take necessary action should anyone cause public disturbance during today’s planned opposition protest

Janaka Bandara admitted to hospital

Lands and Land Development Minister Janaka Bandara Thennakoon was admitted to the Dambulla Hospital following a heart attack, a short while ago

NZ's Fonterra head of milk products, Romano, resigns

New Zealand dairy giant Fonterra, the world's biggest dairy exporter, said on Wednesday its head of NZ Milk Products, Gary Romano, has resigned with immediate effect

Video: Vaas and his son further remanded

Former DIG Vass Gunawardana and his son Ravindu were further remanded till August 27 by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today

‘Need joint-fishing agreement between SL and India’

The National Fish Workers Forum and the Vangakadal Meen Thozhilalar Sangam has called for a subsidy package for taking up deep-sea fishing

Beheaded woman’s body found

A decapitated woman’s body was found near an Ambalama in Paraviyangala, Uva Paranagama this morning, police said. Uva Paranagama police are conducting further investigations

Eight police personnel interdicted

Eight police personnel attached to the Thanamalwila Police Station were interdicted on fraud charges, Police said.

Another ‘terror spot’ in Deraniyagala

A similar ‘reign of terror’ with complete police and political patronage to that of Noori - Deraniygala is reported from Maliboda - Deraniyagala, the Daily Mirror learns

Video: Indian Navy submarine catches fire, 18 sailors feared trapped

A huge explosion accompanied by a fire rocked an Indian Navy submarine docked in the high security Naval dockyard early on Wednesday, officials said. At least 18 people are feared trapped in the vessel ???

Indian arrested in Kopay

An Indian national who was on tourist visa was arrested near the Kalviyankadu yesterday by the Kopay police while he was engaged in selling clothes which is against the visa regulations, police said

Video: Weliweriya incident: Warning of coming events

Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera said yesterday the attack on innocent civilians who protested for clean water at Weliweriya was a serious warning about the future of the people in the country ???

Manchester Police on trail of Tiger supporter

The CID informed Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishanth Pieris that the International Crime Branch of the Manchester Police was on the lookout to arrest the man who invaded the Cardiff Cricket Grounds in Britain

Beggar’s collection confiscated

A parcel of money containing Rs.16,951, belonging to a 70-year-old female beggar was today confiscated by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court