Mahipala suggest new venues for UNP rally

Sabaragamuwa Chief Minister Mahipala Herath said the UNP should hold its May Day rally in Jaffna but in the Donkey Island in close proximity.

Campaigning reformists…

A group of UNP reformists were engaged in a campaign at Hulftsdorp, today calling the party members to take part in the commemoration of the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa that is to be held in Colombo on the same day. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Reformists campaigning for Colombo event

A group of UNP reformists were engaged in a campaign at Hulftsdorp, Fort this morning calling the party members not to betray the party by participating in a May Day rally in Jaffna but to take part in the commemoration celebrations of the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa that is to be held in Colombo on May Day.

Send a team to SL: Congress MPs

A group of Parliamentarians of the Congress Party in India urged the Indian government to send a team of officials to Sri Lanka to help the returning IDPs to get their original land, the Indian Express reported.

Ranil visits Kilinochchi

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe visited Kilinochchi over the weekend during his current tour to the North.  Here Mr. Wickremesinghe talks to the villagers in the area. UNP MP for Jaffna District Wijekala Maheswaran was also present.

Govt. to export surplus rice, vegetables

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said there was a surplus of rice and vegetables in the country now and steps would be taken to export them to gross an additional income.

SL focusing on foreign empl. market

The government is to hold talks with several powerful countries including the United States in order to send local labour as there was a large number of vacancies in those countries, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said.

Bread price increased by Rs.3

The price of a 450 g loaf of bread will be increased by Rs.3 with effect from Monday, All Ceylon Bakery Owners' Association (ACBOA) Chairman N.K. Jayawardena said. He said that the decision was taken due to the increased of wheat flour price. 

Video: Promote harmony and co existence; Hakeem

Minister Rauff Hakeem while roundly condemning the incidents in Dambulla said that it is the desire of his party to promote communal harmony and coexistence among all communities living in the country.

Abduction attempt on foreigner foiled

An Abduction attempt on a Guinea national ( A country in the African continent) was foiled today by the Mount  Lavinia police. Three persons were arrested in connection with the abduction where they had demanded a ransom of 2 million rupees for the release of the abductee.

Factionalism destroying cricket says Ranatunga

Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga said that factionalism is the biggest factor that is destroying cricket in Sri Lanka. The former Sri Lanka cricketer turned administrator called all parties including the countries umpires who are divided into various associations to join hands

Father remanded for incest

A man who was taken into custody for raping his daughter was remanded by the Badulla magistrate until the 10th of May. The father had allegedly raped his 18 year old daughter on the 7th and 8th of February this year and was later taken into custody by the Police. 

Fined for urinating in public

A man who was produced in court on charges of having urinated in public was today fined Rs.50 after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

SF at Nawaloka

Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka waves at the crowds who were waiting for him at the Nawaloka Hospital. Pix by Pradep Dilrukshana

Increase in bread price will only cost as much as two bulath vitas -Wimal

Minister Wimal Weerawansa said though bread prices would go up by 5 or 6 rupees after the imposition of a Rs. 15 tax on a kilogramme of wheat flour, the most unfortunate family that eats bread for all three meals would have to additionally spend only a sum equivalent to the price of two quids of betel (bulath vitas).

Won’t make Kelaniya another Libya: Mervyn

While denying allegations that he was behind the attack on the house of Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha Vice Chairman this morning, Minister Mervyn Silva today said he will not allow to transform Kelaniya into another Libya, his media secretary said.

Fonseka admitted to Nawaloka

Former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka was admitted to Nawaloka Hospital after he threatened to stage a hunger strike if the prison authorities failed to follow court orders, Mrs Anoma Fonseka said.

Protest over mosque issue

A protest organized by a group of Muslims was held in front of the Davatagaha mosque, Town Hall against the relocation of a Mosque in Dambulla. Pix Pradeep K. Pathirana

Mervyn goes before disciplinary panel

Public Relations Minister Mervyn Silva appeared before a three member disciplinary panel headed by senior lawyer Champani Padmasekara of the SLFP at the party headquarters in Colombo a short while ago to answer allegations against him, informed sources said.

Video: Traffic at Town hall due to protest

A traffic jam reported in the Town Hall area due to a protest by a group of Muslims in front of the Davatagaha mosque against the relocation of a Mosque in Dambulla, the police said.

MSD officer remanded

A Police Sergeant attached to the Ministerial Security Division, who was a body guard of the Western Province Governor Alavi Moulana, was remanded by the Mt.Lavinia Magistrate, Ruchira Weliwatta for causing injuries to another body guard.

SL refugee returns lower -UNHCR

The UNHCR said that the number of Sri Lankan refugees returning home has fallen in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the previous year and part of the reason could be the suspension of the Colombo-Tuticorin ferry service from India.

We never used cluster bombs-Army

The Sri Lanka Army today denied reports that security forces had used cluster bombs during the war and requested to provide any evidence so that an investigate can be launched, the Press Trust Of India reported. “I wish to reiterate that Sri Lanka Army, Navy or Air Force never used cluster bombs,” military spokesperson Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasuriya said.

Bread price to go up

Bakery owners announced today that they would increase the price of bread soon due to the Rs.8.50 increase in wheat flour prices. The price increase would be between Rs.3 and 5, the All Ceylon Bakery Owners' Association Chairman N. K. Jayawardena said

22 senior police officers transferred

The Police Headquarters said today that six SSP’s, five SP’s and eleven ASP’s have been transferred with immediate effect. According to the Police Headquarters these senior officers have been transferred based on the requirement of the Sri Lanka police service

Cartoon of the day

TNA forced to seek int’l help: Sampanthan

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has been forced to seek international assistance to find a political solution to the national issue as all its efforts to come to a deal with the respective governments have failed, its leader R. Sampanthan said yesterday

Tendulkar accepts Rajya Sabha nomination

Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has accepted the Rajya Sabha nomination proposed by the Congress, according to reports. He is the first active sportsperson and cricketer to have been nominated to the Rajya Sabha

Two students killed after foot bridge collapse

In a tragic incident which took place in Kalutara today, a young couple who were returning home after attending a tuition class succumbed after the foot bridge they were walking on collapsed

Medical students protest

Pictures show medical students from universities around the country together with the Medical Faculty Student Action Committee (MFSAC) staging a protest march from Colombo General Hospital to the Temple Trees to hand over a memorandum against the private medical institution in Malabe. The procession was stopped by police at the Kollupitiya junction. Pix by Samantha Perera