Release Tamil political prisoners-TNA

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) today renewed its request for the release all ‘Tamil political prisoners’.

Hundreds of African tusks seized

Customs officials this monring seized nearly 600 tusks of African elephants worth millions of rupees. Here tusks being unloaded at the Customs warehouse in Bloemendhal. Pix by Nisal Baduge

African tusks seized by Customs

In the largest ever seizure of tusks in Colombo, Customs officials this monring seized nearly 600 tusks of African elephants worth millions of rupees that came in two containers bound to Dubai from Kenya.

SL must co-operate with int’l probe-SF

Sri Lanka must co-operate with any international investigation into alleged war crimes, ex-army chief Sarath Fonseka has told the BBC, a day after his release from jail.

Video: We will see it later -Hirunika

When questioned whether she would join with former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka, Hirunika Premachandra, the daughter of late Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra said that she would consider it later.

Case against Hirunika?

A case will be filed against Hirunika Premachandra for the contempt of court   making statements on the court’s inquiries regarding the shooting at Mulleriyawa case, Counsel to MP Duminda Silva, Hemantha Warnakulasuriya stated today at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.

Major operation undertaken in East Province

Police said that that they had taken into custody 258 warrant holders who had been absconding from court, in raids conducted last Sunday covering all the police stations in the Eastern Province

Home sweet home

Former army chief Sarath Fonseka having a dinner with his wife Anoma and daughters Aparna and Apsara following Fonseka's release from prison, at their residence in Thalawathugoda last night. AFP - Ishara S. Kodikara

Pick pockets had field day at Nawaloka hospital

Those who pick pockets had their day at Nawaloka Hospital yesterday when a thief managed to pinch a purse of a young man during the rush when former army commander Sarath Fonseka was taken out of hospital after he was discharged

SL to benefit from RBI's $2bn swap arrangement

Sri Lanka is among the member nations of SAARC who will benefit from the RBI's $ 2 billion swap arrangement aimed at strengthening regional financial and economic cooperation, the Indian High Commission said today

US welcomes

The United States has welcomed the release of former army commander Sarath Fonseka. Describing Mr Fonseka as a political prisoner, a spokesman for the US embassy in Colombo said “We welcome the release of the former army commander Sarath Fonseka.”

Freedom…

Freed former army commander SarathFonseka flanked by his family members and parliamentarians waving at the crowds from an open truck after his release. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana and Samantha Perera

I salute the nation- SF

Sarath Fonseka who was released from the Welikada prison a short while ago addressed the public and said, “I believe that the public will serve justice for the injustice that was brought upon me..."

Video: Fonseka released

Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka, who was granted a Presidential Pardon was released from the Welikda prison a short while ago. His words as he came out of the prison were, “I will sacrifice my life for you who stood by me and supported at all times. I will always be there for you.”

I will sacrifice my life for people-SF

Sarath Fonseka told the gathering at the Supreme Court a short while ago that he will sacrifice his entire life for the people of Sri Lanka.

No Lankans affected-SL

The government said that no loss of life or casualties among the Sri Lankans living in Italy, have been reported due to the earthquake that struck on Sunday.

SF back to Prison

Sarath Fonskera, who was taken to the Supreme Court from the Nawaloka Hospital, has been taken back to the Welikada prison a short while ago.

Video: SF at the hospital

Pictures show former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka among the people after being discharged from the Nawaloka hospital. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana and Romesh Danushka de Silva

NSB Chairman tenders resignation letter

Chairman of the National Savings Bank Pradeep Kariyawasam says he has tendered his resignation letter to President Mahinda Rajapaksa today.

Video: SC allows to withdraw SF’s appeals

The Supreme Court has allowed to withdraw Sarath Fonseka’s two appeals against the verdict of the white flag case and terminated proceedings on the appeal against the Second Court Martial a short while ago

Video: Van escorting SF damaged

The Prison van that was escorting Sarath Fonseka from the Nawaloka Hospital to the Suprme Court was damaged by the people who gathered at the Nawaloka Hospital.

Video: SF taken to Supreme Court

Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka was discharged from the Nawaloka hospital a short while ago and taken back to the Supreme Court amidst a large gathering in front of the hospital

Large crowd at Nawaloka awaiting for SF

A large crowd, including media personnel and supporters are currently gathered outside the Nawaloka hospital waiting for jailed Sarath Fonseka, who has been discharged earlier today.

‘TN Congress was not for Eelam’

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president B.S. Gnanadesikan said that his party was not for a separate Eelam but strongly believed that a solution to the ethnic question should be found within a united Sri Lanka, the Hindu reported.

UPFA PS member abducted

UPFA Bulathsinhala Pradeshiya Sabha member Lakmini Anupama Panditharathne (29) was abducted at Thebuwana, Warakagoda by an unidentified group that had come in a vehicle last night, police said

2 Arabs arrested for alleged sexual abuse

Two Saudi Arabian nationals and a Sri Lankan were arrested in a hotel in Hikkaduwa yesterday for allegedly sexually abusing a 17 year old girl and for offering women for prostitution, police said

SLMC urges govt. to strengthen good governance

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has urged the government to take steps, among others, to strengthen good governance, to restore civil administration and to maintain law and order, party’s General Secretary Hasan Ali said yesterday.

TNA softens its stance

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has softened its stance on its long standing demand for the re-merger of the northern and eastern provinces, and has instead noted that the modalities for such a merged unit could be discussed subject to the interests of the Muslim community

Sri Lankan President arrives in Qatar

President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived at the Qatar International Airport  today  to attend the Doha Economic Forum. Two Sri Lankan children greeted the President by garlanding him.  Sri Lankan Ambassador to Qatar,  Jayantha  Palipana was among those who received the President.  Pix by Sudath Silva

President addressed the Doha Economic Conference

Sri Lanka which successfully countered terrorism that threatened the country for 30 years is now regaining its place as the centre of economic and trade activities, and today people going ahead and ready to confirm the peace and economic prosperity said President Mahinda Rajapaksa.