Concerns regarding SL NGO freedom of expression

The United States is concerned by reports that the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defense has ordered registered Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and civil society groups to cease their media engagements and activities

Dayasiri, Harin exchange blows

North Western Province Chief Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara and United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian Harin Fernando are reported to have exchanged fisticuffs during the commercial break of a political programme on a private television channel on Tuesday night.

NGO’s to defy Defense Ministry ban

The Civil Society Collective (CSC), a coalition formed by the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) said today the move by the Defence Ministry to ban NGOs from conducting news conferences and workshops was illegal and therefore they would continue their activities ignoring the ban.

Jacqueline sends bunny cake to Indian Health Minister

Actor Jacqueline Fernandez has sent a bunny-shaped vegan cake with the words "Be Sweet to Bunnies - Ban Animal-Tested Products" written in icing, along with a letter to Indian Health Minister Harsh Vardhan hoping to urge him to have a heart for animals.

Video: Valuable gifts

President Mahinda Rajapakse and Australia's immigration minister Scott Morrison pose for a photograph in Colombo during a ceremony held to commission two Australian-gifted naval patrol boats. They will be deployed for preventing people smuggling operations. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Australia denies SL asylum seekers were ill-treated

Australia on Wednesday rejected allegations by Sri Lankan refugees returned to the island nation that they were mistreated and said their return sent a strong message to those thinking of following suit

Two arrested with Rs 50 Mn worth gold

Two suspects were arrested last night with nine kilogrammes of robbed gold worth around Rs.50 million in their possession. It is said to be the largest gold robbery to be detected in Sri Lanka in recent times

Protest for Consumer Rights

The Alliance for protection of consumer and farmer Rights today staged a protest near the Health Ministry in Colombo urging the authorities to establish a standard for every canteen in Government intuitions and schools. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Australia has committed 'piracy on the high seas': Malcolm Fraser

Former Liberal Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser has characterised Australia’s interdiction and detention of  more than 150 Sri Lankan asylum seekers at sea as ‘‘piracy on the high seas’’.

Scott Morrison in SL

Australian Immigration and Border Protection Minister Scott Morrison arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning for two day official visit. Pix by Deepa Adikari

Obama nominates Sison to top UN Security Council post

US President Barack Obama has decided to nominate US Ambassador to Sri Lanka  Michele Sison as the Deputy Representative of the US in the UN Security Council

Disaster for Brazil as Germany run riot

Brazil's World Cup dream was smashed into oblivion as majestic Germany ran riot to win an extraordinary semi-final 7-1 on Tuesday and send the South American hosts crashing to their worst ever defeat in their 100-year footballing history

Customs briefing

A brief media discussion was held this evening at the Sri Lanka Customs auditorium in view of the opening of its new headquarters on July 14. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Aluthgama incident, scripted drama: BBS

Budu Bala Sena (BBS) today said it suspected whether the Aluthgama incident was a scripted drama enacted either by the Government or the Opposition just like the incident which occurred during the concert held in Colombo participated by famous actor Shahrukh Khan despite repeated protests by religious leaders

OHCHR expresses concern over return of SL asylum seekers

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has expressed deep concern over the decision by Australian authorities to return the 41 Sri Lankan asylum seekers without sufficient screening of their protection claims and needs

MR asks for report from Eran

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was present at the parliamentary sessions today asked United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne to submit a report on the Ministry Secretaries doing part-time jobs as directors in private organisations.

Pope must apologise to Buddhists: BBS

Bodu Bala Sena Leader Ven.Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera said Pope Francis should apologise to Sri Lankan Buddhists over the alleged atrocities committed by Christian colonialists

Gmail in Sinhala

Google has added 13 languages including  Sinhala to Gmail’s interface to now cover 94 percent of the world’s Internet population, the company said Monday

Video: Talks on abolishing executive presidency

Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera and the National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader and Minister Wimal Weerawansa today held a discussion at Battaramulla over the abolishing of the executive presidency and the establishment of good governance. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

My resignation letter not accepted: Thevarapperuma

UNP parliamentarian Palitha Thevarapperuma said Party’s National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe refused to accept his resignation letter submitted to him in Parliament a short while ago

36 asylum seekers released; five remanded

Five asylum seekers were remanded till July 14 on charges of people smuggling, while nine children were released with no charge and 27 released on a cash bail of Rs.5,000 and a surety bail of Rs.100,000 each when they were produced in the Galle Magistrate’s Court

Video: Temporary army camp at Aluthgama

A temporary army camp will be setup at Aluthgama despite requests by residents for a permanent camp, Military Spokesman Ruwan Wanigasooriya said.

3 injured in lorry accident in E01

Three people were injured following a Lorry accident between Kottawa and Pinnaduwa on the Southern Expressway (E01) this morning, police said

Tony Abbott defends turning back of SL asylum seeker boats

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has defended Australia's policy of turning back asylum seeker boats after the High Court granted an interim injunction to prevent the government handing 153 asylum seekers to the Sri Lankan authorities

Teen pleads guilty to murdering SL student in UK

A Teenager has admitted to murdering a Sri Lankan pizza delivery driver attacked and killed in Sheffield on his last shift

Video: NGO wings clipped

The National Secretariat for Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs), a body functioning under the Defence Ministry, has banned NGOs from holding news conferences, workshops and training of journalists and the issuance of media releases

UN deplores return of asylum-seekers to SL by Australia

The UN refugee agency UNHCR has expressed concern over the deportation of 41 Sri Lankan asylum seekers from Australia.

Dalai Lama statement misleading: PNM

While expressing displeasure on the statement issued by Most Ven. Dalai Lama on Sri Lankan Buddhists, Patriotic National Movement (PNM) Chairman Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera on Monday said Dalai Lama has been misled on how Muslims were being treated in Sri Lanka.

Khuram Murder case: PS Chief pleads innocence

Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Sampath Chandrapushpa Vidana Pathirana today making a statement from the dock during the Khuram Sheik murder trial told High Court Judge Rohini Walgama said that his political rivals had intentionally involved him in the Khuram Sheik murder case in a bid to tarnish his character and to damage his political career

Dasa Mudalali passes away

A well-known businessman and Kelaniya Dasa Group of Companies founder S.D. Gunadasa who was better known as ‘Dasa Mudalali’ passed away on Sunday at the age of 83.