Indo-Lanka MoU sought to bring back Tamil refugees

A Sri Lankan Tamil refugee rehabilitation organisation which has been working in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka for the past 30 years, has sought a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Sri Lanka and India to facilitate and expedite the return of the refugees to the island nation.

Govt to take appropriate action on LTTE ban

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) organisation could consolidate but the government could not be “very sure” about it, the General Secretary of UPFA Susil Premajayantha said at a media meeting held at the SLFP Headquarters in Colombo today.  

Ranil off to Singapore

Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe left for Singapore on a two day visit, his office announced today. The statement said he was expected in the country on Thursday, October 23.

NTUC protest seeking salary hike

The National Trade Union Centre (NTUC) today staged a protest in front of the Fort Railway Station urging the authorities to introduce a salary hike of Rs.10, 000 in the upcoming budget and insisting on several other demands including the setting up of laws to increase salaries of private sector employees as well. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Gota meets Indian Defence Minister

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Monday called on Indian Defence Minister Arun Jaitley during which a number of issues came under discussion, Indian media reported.

Resume live telecast of Parliament sessions: UNP

The main Opposition United National Party (UNP) today urged Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa to resume live telecast of parliamentary sessions.

Settle payments to SL refugee with interest: Madras HC

Coming to the rescue of a Sri Lankan refugee who had served the Tamil Nadu government for 32 years, the Madras High Court bench Monday directed the government to settle the emoluments due for him with 12 percent interest.

JHU to meet President

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) today said its resolutions would be discussed with President Mahinda Rajapaksa with the objective of deciding whether to back him at a future Presidential Election.

Heavy traffic at Fort

Heavy traffic congestion was reported in Olcott Mawatha due to a mass protest by the National Trade Union Centre near the Fort Railway Station.

Video: Campaign urging higher allocation for education

The Socialist Students Union today launched a signature campaign near the Fort Railway Station to urge the government to increase the budgetary allocations for education up to 6 per cent in next year’s budget. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Five surrender over assault

Five suspects including a member of Imbulpe Pradheshiya Sabha surrendered to the Balangoda Police today over an alleged assault on Sabaragamuwa University Students, Police Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said.

Video: Inefficient Foreign Service led to ECJ ruling: UNP

The main opposition United National Party (UNP) today accused the government of failing to maintain an efficient Foreign Service and instead it was blaming the UNP for the European Court of Justice (ECJ) lifting the sanctions placed on the LTTE.

Fishermen get hot

A tense situation prevailed after a group of fishermen staged a protest in front of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ministry in Maligawatta this morning urging the Ministry’s attention on their issues. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Ex-IGP Balasuriya new Law and Order Secretary

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mahinda Balasuriya has been appointed as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Law and Order.

International drug racket busted in Delhi

With the arrest of three persons, including two Sri Lankans, the Delhi Police Special Cell claimed to have busted an international drug syndicate operating from Chennai which supplied heroin to Sri Lanka by concealing it in processed food tin cans.

Video: Tense situation in Maligawatta

A tense situation is reported in Maligawatta, opposite the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ministry during to a protest staged by a group of some 500 fishermen over several issues.

What’s there to ‘learn from SL’, asks Vaiko

MDMK chief Vaiko on Sunday termed the recent comment that ‘India has to learn a lot from the Sri Lankan Army’ by the Indian Defence Secretary “humiliating”.

JHU wants Cabinet reduced to 25

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) adopted eight resolutions at its 11th convention yesterday -- including one calling for the reduction of the Cabinet to 25 members and another to amend the Constitution so as to get rid of the presidential immunity before the next presidential election is held.

11th JHU convention in Maharagama

Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) Leaders engaged religious observances at its 11th convention in Maharagama today. Pix by Jayamal Chandrasiri

India series chance for fringe players: Jayasuriya

Sri Lanka Cricket's (SLC) chairman of selectors Sanath Jayasuriya on Sunday said the upcoming five-match One-Day International (ODI) series against India will help their team in trying out their fringe players before the World Cup.

Walk through life

A young boy holds his sibling’s hand as they walk across the ground while participating in AIDEX 2014 – the annual sports meet for Jaipur limb users organised by the Colombo Friend-in- Need Society. The event was held at the Wesley College Grounds today. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

Wimal to back MR

Leader of the National Freedom Front (NFF) Wimal Weerawansa said he would back President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a future Presidential Election, since he had received a positive response to the 12 point proposals submitted by his party.

Ranil: Rs.10,000 rise for public servants

A future UNP government would give Rs.10,000 salary increment to public servants and Rs.2000 increment for pensioners until anomalies were resolved, United National Party (UNP) National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said today in Kotte.

Students continue satyagraha: Police demolish structure

The structure erected by the students of the Sabaragamuwa University on which the undergraduates held a Satyagraha campaign had been demolished by the Police on a court order, the Sabaragamuwa Police said.

How s that? asks Sanga

After the West Indies’ pullout from the India tour due to a pay dispute and Sri Lanka Cricket's decision to fill in with a five-match ODI series, Kumar Sangakkara has expressed concerns about the SLC decision

24 injured in bus accident

At least 24 passengers were injured after a bus travelling from Dammulla to Eheliyagoda was skidded off the road and veered into a waterway at Godamawita this morning, Police said.

Customs bust Forex smuggling attempt at BIA

A Sri Lankan male was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) departure lounge this morning while attempting to smuggle out foreign currency worth Rs. 40,785,81 concealed in his rectum.

Madras court comes to rescue of Sri Lankan refugee

The Madras High Court Bench has imposed a cost of Rs.10,000 on the Director of Social Welfare for not disbursing the emoluments due to a Sri Lankan refugee who retired last year after 32 years of government service.

Removed…

The tent erected by the students of the University of Sabaragamuwa to stage a Sathyagraha campaign was removed by the police yesterday on court order. Pix by Balangoda M. Geethakara

Two Lankan heroin peddlers held

In an inter-state joint police operation, the anti-narcotics wing of the Delhi Police and the Chennai city police nabbed two Sri Lankans and an Indian national, who were part of a gang involved in international heroin smuggling from a hideout at Poonamallee.