Sushma criticises demand for Eelam

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj on Thursday criticised the demand for a separate ‘Tamil Eelam' by some political parties in Tamil Nadu, even though the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) the main political force of the Tamils in the island nation favoured a genuine political solution within a united Sri Lanka

Postal workers protest

Employees of the newly opened Department Of Post office in Olcott Mawatha today staged a token strike lamenting the facilities and safety measures at the newly opened location. They said they would continue the protest for three days if no immediate solution was provided. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Sand laws relaxed

The Cabinet has decided to allow the dredging and transporting of sand without a licence from 6.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., Environment Minister Anura Priyadharashana Yapa told Parliament today

Gem stolen from Srisena Cooray’s house

The house of former United National Party (UNP) strongman Sirisena Cooray was burgled and a valuable gem and foreign currency stolen allegedly by a domestic aide, the Mullariyawa Police has told a Colombo Magistrate

Visual arts students’ protest

Students of the University of Visual and Performing Arts staged a protest urging the government to upgrade the hostel facilities and to base student admission on the placement exam and not on the Z score marks. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Contraband seized at BIA

Customs seized cigarettes, beedi, enasal and paanparat worth around Rs.5 million hidden in the luggage of 37 Sri Lankans coming to Colombo from Bangkok, India and China. Three persons were arrested by the Customs. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

AL student transfer cancelled

The transfer of students from one national school to another for Advanced Level studies has been cancelled by the Education Ministry in a circular, Minister Bandula Gunawardane said today

Govt. doctors to strike over DAT allowance

Government doctors will go on a countrywide strike tomorrow due to the government’s failures to meet their deadline to increase a transport allowance which was promised to them earlier this year

Ranil in Hulftsdorp

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe met with people in the Hulftsdorp area to discuss problems faced by the people. The UNP leader criticized the government of raising prices of goods and noted that the government has proven its failure to manage the economy. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

I will enter politics if people want me- Malaka

Minister Mervyn Silva’s son Malaka Silva says that he has not decided to enter active politics at the moment, but if there is any request from the public he will seriously consider it. “I have not decided to enter politics right now as I am busy with business and social service activities,” he told Daily Mirror online.

We bought…but not paying says NSB

Setting an appalling precedent, putting the country’s equity market’s credibility on the line, National Savings Bank (NSB) in a newspaper advertisement has said that the bank’s director board has decided not to pay the moneys due on the The Finance-NSB transaction.

Thamara refuses to go to Cuba!

Sri Lanka’s Representative in the UN Thamara Kunanayagam has reportedly refused her new post as Ambassador in Cuba external affairs ministry sources said. Her request to the government to appoint her as the Sri Lankan ambassador to the Embassy in Venezuela, which is to be opened soon, has not yet been considered.

Jaffna GA Sukumar transferred

Imelda Sukumar , Government Agent for Jaffna has been transferred with immediate effect to the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo. She is the most senior civil servant and she is now in the Special Grade of the Sri Lanka Civil Service.

Greece Olympic flame

Greek actress Ino Menegaki, playing the role of High Priestess, lights the Olympic flame during a dress rehearsal for the torch lighting ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the site of ancient Olympia in Greece May 9, 2012. The official lighting ceremony for the London Games will take place on May 10. REUTERS

Eight fined for ganja possession

Eight youths who pleaded guilty for possessing ganja sticks at the Galle Face Green on the Vesak Poya day were ordered to pay a fine of Rs.40,000 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate

Trial against Dhanuna’s mother fixed

The trial of the money laundering case which was filed against Dhanuna Tillekaratne’s mother Asoka Thillekaratne in the Colombo High Court today fixed for November 5

Illegal cigarette stock seized

Pictures show a stock of illegal cigarette carton seized today by the airport  customs at the Katunayake airport. Customs Officials said that two people were arrested and the stock was brought from Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia and the suspect appeared as a leader of Hajj pilgrims’ group. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Fresh bid to secure pardon for Rizana

In a fresh effort to secure a pardon for Rizana Nafeek who has been sentenced to death under Islamic sharia law in Saudi Arabia, a group of Sri Lankan MPs recently visited the victim infant’s grandparents, Foreign Employment Minister Dilan Perera said today

Anoma, Sajith at SC

Mrs. Anoma Fonseka, UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa and several politicians were present at the Supreme Court Complex today to attend the hearing of former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka appeal against the white flag case judgment. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Don't copy my action- Malinga

Lasith Malinga is a unique cricketer in many ways. It is not just his slinging action that is a standout feature; he's probably the only cricketer in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) who has hardly attended more than a couple of practice sessions and still stands out as the highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 20 scalps in eight matches.

SC allows SF to remain at Nawaloka

A five member Supreme Court bench today allowed former Army commander Sarath Fonseka to remain at the Nawaloka Hospital for treatment until further medical recommendation.

IP, SI and PC interdicted

Police Chief N.K. Illangakoon today interdicted an Inspector, a Sub Inspector and a constable of the Tambuttegama police on charges of neglecting their duty. They are alleged to have purposely delayed the inquiries into a complaint of child abuse and had attempted to avoid arresting the suspects.

Vesak bhakthi geetha

The All Ceylon Buddhist Congress (ACBC) organised a recital of Buddhist devotional songs to mark Vesak bringing the Vesak Zone at Independent Squire to life last evening. Pic by Pradeep K. Pathirana

Woman remanded over 6-year-old boy's death

A six year old boy, who was attacked by a woman with a stone at a school in the Ella area last week, succumbed to his injuries at the Badulla hospital last night, police said.

Indian worker electrocuted in Mirigama

A 62 year-old Indian national working at a private company in Mirigama died last night after being electrocuted at his work place. Police media unit said in a statement that the body was now lying in the Watupitiwala hospital mortuary.

Speaker request MPs to speak correctly

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa asks MPs not to speak in Parliament in the manner how members of death welfare societies speak at meetings. The Speaker made this remark when Public Relations Minister Mervyn Silva started casting aspersions at UNP MP Ajith P. Perera during question time.

Tamara to Cuba, Ravinatha to Geneva

Despite objections by Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN Tamara Kunanayakam of herself being transferred from her post, Sri Lanka's ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU Ravinatha Aryasinha has been appointed the new Permanent Representative to the UN, informed sources said.

Somali fishermen rescued & brought to SL

Four Somali fishermen, believed to be stranded in the middle of the high seas, were rescued by a group of Sri Lankan fishermen and brought to the Modera fishing harbour this morning.

Situation under control

Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal addressing a press conference in Colombo today forecasting a higher inflation rate and lower growth for this year stimulated by negative local and global economic factors adding that the situation was under control. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Situation was under control-Cabraal

The Central Bank today forecast a higher inflation rate and lower growth for this year stimulated by negative local and global economic factors but added that the situation was under control. Pictures