3000 TN fishermen go on indefinite fast

Thousands of fishermen along with their family members from 63 fishing hamlets in the district on Thursday commenced an indefinite fast demanding the authorities to initiate immediate action for getting the release of 23 fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan navy.

Golden Key Investors demand justice

Golden Key Investors today staged a protest outside the Hulftsdorp Court Complex demanding justice to be served to them. They complained Golden Key administration was enjoying privileges while depositors were suffering. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Video: Fuel price reduction an election gimmick: UNP

While claiming that the announcement of a reduction in fuel prices and electricity tariffs was an election gimmick, UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said today that the government could in fact reduce the prices of petrol by Rs. 24 a litre, diesel by Rs. 15 and kerosene by Rs. 35 if the tax imposed on them was reduced by 50%.

Sendil admitted to hospital in Colombo

The UPFA Uva Provincial Council candidate Sendil Thondaman, who was injured in an accident in Bandarawela last night, was admitted to a Private Hospital in Colombo, police said today. VIDEO

Smuggling attempt foiled by Customs

Two Chinese and two Sri Lankans were arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this afternoon while attempting to smuggle "Walla-Patta" logs and gold slabs worth Rs.28.5 million and Rs.10 million respectively, Customs spokesman Leslie Gamini said.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB)

Lankan ISI agent under NIA custody

A special court on Wednesday granted six days custody of suspected ISI agent Arun Selvarajan to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The judge, however, dismissed a petition by CBI to include it as a party in the investigation.

Uva campaign worse than Southern and Western : PAFFREL

While claiming the election campaign carried out by various political parties for the Uva Provincial Council was not worse than the campaign in the North Western Province, election watchdog PAFFREL today said it was certainly worse than the Southern and Western Provincial Council election campaigns.

BJP leaders to attend Colombo meet

Even before the dust could settle down over Indian representation at the strategic conclave of Sri Lanka, two senior BJP leaders would be participating in a global conference of Asian political parties in Colombo.

CEB asks consumers not to panic

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) today appealed to its nearly five million consumers not to panic when they receive the monthly electricity bill this month based on the previous tariff despite President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s announcement of a 25% tariff reduction with immediate effect.

J.R.’s 118th birth anniversary

The 118th birth anniversary of the late President J.R. Jayewardene was held at the J.R. Jayewardene Centre Auditorium this evening. The official website of J.R Jayewardene and his Century Reminiscence were launched at the event. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Pope approves Joseph Vaz as Lanka's 1st saint

Pope Francis has approved the decision by the Vatican's saint-making office to canonize the Indian born Rev. Joseph Vaz as Sri Lanka's first saint, foreign media reported.

One killed, 19 injured in accident in Bandarawela

One person was killed and nineteen others including UPFA Uva provincial council candidate Sendil Thondaman were injured in an accident in Bandarawela this evening, police said

India's CBI to grill Selvarajan for LTTE links

Days after the arrest of Arun Selvarajan by National Investigating Agency (NIA) and reports about his alleged connections with politicians, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought permission from a court to quiz the Sri Lankan national about his possible links with the LTTE.

Fuel price reduction not sufficient: LPBOA

Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA) President Gemunu Wijeratne said today the three-rupee price reduction on diesel was meant to deceive the people and that it would in no way be helpful to the people.

150th birth anniversary of Anagarika Dharmapala

The 150th birth anniversary commemoration of Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala was held today at the Independence Hall with the participation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.  He is seen paying homage to the statue of Anagarika Dharmapala at the Independence Hall. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja.

Final UNP rally at Bandarawela

United National Party (UNP) final election rally was held at Bandarawela last night with the participation of several UNP parliamentarians. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Six dead in two accidents

At least six persons were killed and three were injured in two separate road accidents in Kekirawa and Bandaragama this morning, the Police said.

Lankan fishing boat apprehended off Chennai

Five Sri Lankan fishermen along with their boat have been apprehended for fishing in Indian waters and 300 kg of tuna fish seized from them by the Indian Coast Guard off Chennai.

68th Anniversary...

The United National Party’s 68th Anniversary was held in Passara this evening. Picture shows party leaders led by UNP’s National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe during the event. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Sajith’s name will be given prominence-Ranil

UNP National leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said that prominence would be given to UNP MP Sajith Premadasa when appointing a deputy leader for the party.

Probe on SL is of great importance-new UNHRC Chief

The new UN Human Rights Chief Prince Zeid Ra'ad Zeid Al-Hussein of Jordan has remarked that he attaches great importance to the investigation on Sri Lanka led by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) while urging the Lankan authorities to cooperate with the investigation.

Saudi Courts to recruit translators from Sri Lanka

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Justice has decided to recruit translators with a sound knowledge of English, Sinhala and Tamil from Sri Lanka, Arab News reported.

SL, a country with growing influence in political domain-Abe

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who will be in Colombo tomorrow, described Sri Lanka as a country with a growing influence in economic and political domains.

Akashi meets MR in Colombo

Senior Japanese diplomat Yasushi Akashi called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees a short while ago, president’s media unit said.

Election campaign in Uva

An election rally was held in Diyathalawa yesterday with the participation of UNP’s Chief Ministerial candidate Harin Fernando, UNP MP Ruwan Wijewardene,Rosy senanayake and Ranjan Ramanayake. Pix by pradeep pathira

Senadirajah elected as ITAK leader

Tamil National Alliance MP Mavai Senathirajah was elected as the new leader of Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) at the party convention held in Vavuniya today, an official said.

Import of potatoes suspended

The import of potatoes has been suspended from midnight today because of the increase in local harvest, Finance Ministry said.

Rs.2 mn worth illegal drugs detected at BIA

A stock of illegally imported medical drugs valued at Rs. 2 million has been detected by the staff of customs preventive office at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Customs media spokesman Leslie Gamini said.

TN spikers asked to return from SL

Two Tamil Nadu volleyball players, V. Hariharan and L. Manoj, who were asked by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) to come back midway from the Asian youth volleyball championship in Colombo, returned to the Chennai city on Friday.