From farmers to forces

Soldiers purchase paddy from farmers in the east to be used in their military camps. Around 1700 tonnes of rice are needed annually for the consumption of soldiers. Pix by Pradeep K. Pathirana

Hambantota port now active

Vehicles were offloaded from ships berthed at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Port at Hambantota marking the commencement of regular commercial activities. MP Namal Rajapaksa and Deputy Minister of Ports and Highways Rohitha Abeygunawardena participated in the event. Pix by Jayamal Chandrasiri

MR meets British MPs

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was in London to attend Queen Elizabeth’s diamond jubilee celebrations, held talks with a group of British Parliamentarians at the Sri Lankan High Commission in London yesterday. Pix by Sudath Silva

Sri Lanka Cricket to cut jobs

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage informed Parliament a short while ago that staff on contract basis at the Sri Lanka Cricket is to be cut by 60 percent soon. He said that the decision has been taken due to overstaff of staff on contract basis.

Restraining order on dissolution of NCPC annulled

The North Central Province Civil appellate high court today dismissed the petition and annulled the restraining order on the Chief Minister of the NCP against the dissolution of the North Central Provincial Council before the term ends.

Venus travels across the sun

School children and office workers are gathered at the Planetarium to catch a rare glimpse of Venus inching across the face of sun. The next transit of Venus will occur in another 105 years in 2117. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Trincomalee murder over illicit love affair

Two suspects were arrested for the Killing of  Eswaradasan Keniswaran of Wairwan Kovil St. Palapettu, Trincomalee. The victim was hacked to death on April 18, 2012 at Aiyakarni by unidentified persons.

Let’s have taverns in villages- Felix

Despite the government’s much hyped policy against boozing, a Cabinet minister said in Parliament that liquor shops should be made available at the village level for ordinary people to enjoy a drink after a hard day’s work.

Commercial ops at H’tota port starts

Two ships carrying vehicles have berthed at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Port at Hambantota marking the commencement of regular commercial activities, a short while ago, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority said.

21 Sri Lankan Tamils arrested

Twenty-one of the 151 Sri Lankan Tamils taken into custody by the Kollam police on Sunday night were arrested on Tuesday for violating the Foreigners Act.

Channel-4 director also deported

A director of London based Channel-4 TV station, Stuart Cosgrove, who managed to enter Sri Lanka on Sunday despite being blacklisted, was deported yesterday morning, informed sources said.

Fuel price reduction considered; Susil

A fuel price reduction will be considered if the present downward trend in fuel prices continues in the world market, Petroleum Minister Susil Premajayantha told Parliament today

Former AG in Court

Former Attorney General Mohan Peries today gave evidence at the Homagama Magistrate’s court in connection with a statement he had made at the United Nations last year. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Only god would know: Mohan Peiris

Former Attorney General Mohan Peiris giving evidence at the Homagama magistrates’ court said that he does not know the whereabouts of missing journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda and had made the statement to the effect that Ekanligoda was abroad due to intelligence reports stating so.

Channel-4 journalist deported

Shirani Sabaratnam, who works at the London-based Channel-4 TV Station as an editor and a presenter, arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday. On arrival she was detained at the airport by Sri Lankan law enforcement authorities and later deported to Britain, informed sources said.

Inquiry into Baratha's case concluded; CID

The CID today submitted a report to the Colombo Magistrates court stating that they have concluded investigations in to the murder of former MP Baratha Lakshman and three others when the case was taken up today

Three killed in train tragedy

Three persons of the same family were killed when the trishaw they were traveling had collided with an oncoming train in Ja- Ela last night. , police said

Eighty one year old hacked to death

An  eighty one year old man was hacked to death early this morning in Polonnaruwa. Two others who had been in the vicinity of the incident had also been attacked and sustained injuries

Train services disrupted

Train services on the Kelani Valley line was halted and also services on several other lines disrupted as Engine Drivers absented themselves from work today, official sources said.

Diaspora not doing enough for NE

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leadership had ignored a request by some party members and parliamentarians to form an NGO to raise funds from the Tamil Diaspora to help war affected people in the North and East, former MP M.K. Sivajilingam said.

Mysterious illness closes Mulleriyawa ward

Employees and in-house patients of a ward at the Mulleriyawa National Institute of Mental Health have fallen ill mysteriously, forcing the authorities to close down the ward from yesterday, hospital sources said.

Duke of Edinburgh hospitalized

Buckingham Palace yesterday said 90-year-old Prince Philip - husband of Queen Elizabeth II, was  hospitalized with a bladder infection.The announcement came as the U.K. was celebrating the queen's Diamond Jubilee.

‘Poson Kalapaya’

The colourful Maharagama ‘Poson Kalapaya’ organized by the Maharagama Urban Council attracted large crowds last night. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Poson Dansala at Sirikotha

United National Party (UNP) has organized Dansalas this afternoon at its head quarters “Sirikotha”, Pitakotte and with the participation of Parliamentarian Dr.Jayalath Jayawardene who served food to a child for Poson full-moon poya day. Pic by Waruna Wanniarachchi

The blessing of blood

A blood and eye donation campaign was organized by Udaya Enterprises at Dehiwala, Karagampitiya this morning to mark the Poson Poya day.  During the past few years, more than 3070 people have donated their blood at this annual campaign. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

SL refugee killed in India

A Sri Lankan Tamil refugee was killed and three others were injured after a motorbike collided with a Navy official's car at Mandapam, police said.

Exposition of relics

The exposition of sacred relics of Ven Arahats Sariyuth and Mugalan commenced with the distinguished participation of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse. Addressing the ceremony organised by the security forces, the Defence Secretary said it was a pleasure that the security forces after saving the country from terrorism have now taken to religious activities. Pix by Wasasntha Chandrapala

Freedom on a blessed day

Cattle which were to be sold to butchers were released by the Ministerial Security Division today.  Many believe releasing cattle from being slaughtered as a blessing. Pix by Pradeep K. Parthirana

No ban on porn websites

The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) said today that no pornographic websites have been banned in the country, despite numerous claims by officials and a misconceived public notion.

MR in UK

President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in London to attend the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee celebrations, Presidential Spokesman Bandula Jayasekara said. Britain gears up for four-day long celebrations from June 2-5 to mark the 60 years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.