Lankan refugee exodus, fears of crisis in Tamil Nadu

As many as 150 Sri Lankan refugees are believed to have disappeared from camps across the Indian state of Tamil Nadu in the past fortnight, raising fears of another impending asylum-seeker tragedy in the monsoonal waters of the Indian Ocean, The Australian reported

Czech couple with insects arrested

A Czech couple was arrested after they were found to be in possession of thousands of insects collected in Weligama. The Police arrested the couple when they were about to enter ‘Southern Expressway’ at the Kurudugahatekma entry point

Explosion in Muhamalai

Three workers of the ‘Halo Trust’ demining agency were injured due to an explosion in Muhamalai this morning. The three workers are reported to have been involved in the demining process in the area when the incident occurred

Audio: Hemakumara drops bombshell over agricultural mishap

While faulting the government for its “stupid” and "foolish" decisions with regard to its Agricultural policy, former Presidential Advisor on agricultural affairs Hemakumara Nanayakkara said he would decide on his future political path “in the next few days”

Iran, SL ask for new world order

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa stressed the need for establishment of a new world order in their meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Friday.

I can still lend a helping hand

A soldier employed at the “Ranaviru Apparel” garment factory in Alawwa, which produces more than 50% of the uniforms required by the Army. Seen here is soldier talking to Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya who visited the factory today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Nepali nabbed and remanded

Kandy High Court Judge Manilal Waidyatilleke commending Court Sergeant A. Amarasinghe for the timely arrest of a Nepali national, who was indicted for possessing 80 grammes of heroin, ordered that the suspect be remanded.

Dengue eradication in Fort

The officials of the Colombo Fort police and the army today conducted a dengue eradication programme in Colombo Fort area. Pic Waruna Wanniarachchi

It does not pay to smuggle

Custom officers at the Colombo Port are seen inspecting perfumes, shoes and other luxury items worth Rs.15 million imported by a BOI registered poultry farm. They are alleged to have smuggled 23 container-loads of such luxury items out of the Port this year. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

“Future Minds” at BMICH

“Future Minds”, a higher education and vocational exhibition, began today and will go on till June 24 at the BMICH. Pictures show the opening ceremony of the exhibition. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Wijeweera’s in-law complains of breach of trust

A man who is alleged to have committed criminal breach of trust involving a motorbike and a digital camera belonging to former JVP leader Rohana Wijeweera’s brother-in-law was today remanded till July 6 by a Colombo Court.

Hi…

President MahindaRajapaksa met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad today in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilon the sidelines of the Rio+20 environmental Summit. Picture courtesy of President's Media Division

Will never let our ties shatter -MR to MS

At his meeting with Indian Premier Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the Rio+20 environmental Summit, President Mahinda Rajapaksa emphasized the historical relationship that existed between India and Sri Lanka, stressing that this relationship would never be allowed to disintegrate.

Celebrating his half-century

Tillakaratne Dilshan signals his half-century, Sri Lanka v Pakistan, 1st Test, Galle, 1st day, June 22, 2012 (AFP)

Julampitiye Amare identified

Gigana Gamage Amarasiri alias Julampitiye Amare was identified by three of the four witnesses at the identification parade held at the Walasmulla Magistrate Court today, in connection with the Katuwana double murder case

Uncertainty over boat's origin

The External Affairs Ministry said it was yet uncertain whether the boat that capsized en route to Australia originated from Sri Lanka. Media reports yesterday mentioned that the boat carrying the asylum seekers to Australia had originated from Sri Lanka

Salman as brand ambassador for SL?

Salman Khan may be appointed as brand ambassador for the inaugural Sri Lanka Premiere league, if buzz is to be believed

Monks in fatal accident

One monk was found dead and another five critically injured after a van they were travelling in met with an accident in Wellawaya early this morning, the Police said. The driver of the van was also injured and was admitted to the Wellawaya hospital

‘Thamalini’ to be sent for rehab

The Colombo Magistrate court today, ordered the rehabilitation of former LTTE women Political wing leader ‘Thamalini” after the CID told court that she had consented to undergo rehabilitation

Minister Athauda released on bail

Senior Minister Athauda Seneviratne who was accused of damaging private property was released on personal bail of 1 million rupees after he surrendered himself to the Warakapola Magistrates court this morning

‘Lanka can’t be complacent’

United Nations Human Rights Chief Navi Pillai had not made any reference to Sri Lanka in her address to the current UN Human Rights Council session, but the country could not be complacent about it, officials said yesterday

Lanka bat first against Pakistan

Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first in the first test against Pakistan on Friday. The hosts suffered a blow on the morning of the test when their left-arm fast bowler Chanaka Welegedera was ruled out with a sore shoulder.

Burglary at VIP’s house, suspect arrested

The Mt. Lavinia police arrested a man yesterday in connection with the burglary at the house of Nishantha Wickramasinghe, chairman of SriLankan Airlines and brother of First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa

JVP dissidents protest

The JVP dissident group yesterday staged a protest at the Lipton Circle urging the government to release political activists Lalith Kumara Weeraju and Kugan Muruganandan who went missing since December last year and other missing people. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

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What are the warrants against Amare: Police

Police Headquarters said in a statement today that at the time of his surrender on Tuesday, Gigana Gamage Amarasiri alias Julampitiye Amare had five warrants against him:

Against political interference...

A group of unemployed graduates today staged a protest against political inferences in the appointment of graduates to the public service. They say that the selected graduates were through political favouration. (Pix by Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk)

Preventing dengue

Female employees of the Agrarian Services Ministry are engaged in clearing up the premises to mark the dengue eradication programme today. Earlier Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena expressed his displeasure over the non-participation of Ministers in the programme. (Pix by Pradeep Pathirana)

K’yake expressway gets final touches

The construction of the Katunayake - Colombo highway is scheduled to end by November this year. Picture shows the carpet layout of the highway being carried out. (Pix by Pradeep Pathirana)

Wedihiti Kanda artefacts robbed

The guardian of the Wedihiti Kanda Temple in Kataragama has complained to the police that artefacts of historic value had been robbed from the stores of the temple