Japan interested in SL’s anti-terrorism skills

Japan's Maritime Self-Defence Force Admiral Katsutosi Kawano today said the Japanese Navy would like to learn from Sri Lanka’s experiences with anti-terrorism operations when he called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa at President’s House in Anuradhapura this morning

Bus plunges into transformer

A SLTB bus travelling from Polonnnaruwa to Colombo plunged into a transformer near Peliyagoda Police Station this morning damaging the transformer. No injuries were reported in the incident. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Allow us to set up a hut!

Students of the Institute of Indigenous Medicine of the Colombo University clashed with the police when they were refused to set up a temporary hut to carry out a Sathyagraha against the alleged failure of the institute to address issues faced by the students. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Sluice gates opened in Central Province

The Disaster Management Centre today declared a minor flood situation in the Central Province as major reservoirs including Upper Kotmale, Mausakele, Castlereigh, Lakshapana and Norton Bridge started overflowing as a result of the torrential rains

Bridge collapses on Rakwana- Deniyaya Road

The traffic on the Rakwana- Deniyaya Road came to a standstill this morning after the Kalupalama bridge at Hedaraliwatta collapsed while a lorry transporting a load of fertilizer was passing the bridge, police said. Pictures

A meritorious act

United National Party (UNP) Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya, was joined by UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake and several other MPs to serve food at a Dansala organised by the party at its headquarters ‘Sirikotha’, that was held today to mark Poson Poya. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Buddhism: The foundation of our culture and way of living: MR

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a Poson message said it was the teachings of Buddhism that built Sri Lankan’s thinking on respect for and sustenance of the lives of humans and all other living species which led to our nation earning the respect and friendship of other nations.

Video: Religious rituals at Poson

A devotee is seen engaging in religious observances at Kelaniya Temple this morning. Hundreds of Buddhist devotees engaged in religious observances at the Temple  in view of Poson Poya Day. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Rogue three-wheel driver arrested

A three-wheel driver, who had allegedly robbed 110,000 Yen and Rs 4,000 from a Japanese woman, was arrested in Colombo Fort yesterday

Video: STF nab 85 kilos of heroin

The Police Special Task Force (STF) on Wednesday seized 85 kilogrammes of heroin with a street value of more than Rs. 680 million when they took into custody a hybrid car with two suspects on the Biyagama Road in Kelaniya. Update

Lankan swims to TN rescued

A Sri Lankan Tamil was rescued by fishermen after they found him struggling to swim towards the Rameswaram coast of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday.

Clear lack of commitment to address gender equality in SL: UNFPA Rep.

Recent statements made by certain government ministers indicate a lack of importance in addressing issues of gender equality in Sri Lanka and they are of grave concern, UNFPA Representative in Sri Lanka, Alain Sibenaler, said yesterday

Video: NFF says consulting Parliament a good idea

The National Freedom Front (NFF) today commended the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP)’s decision to ascertain the views of Parliament on the letter sent by UN Human Rights High Commissioner regarding the appointment of an investigative team on Sri Lanka and her request seeking permission for the team to enter the country.

Local recruit of SL mission in Russia killed

A local recruit attached to the Sri Lankan Mission in Russia was killed on the spot today when a truck ran over him, the External Affairs Ministry said.

MR Condemns Karachi Terrorist Attack

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, in a message to Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif vehemently condemned the terrorist attack on the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi last Sunday which killed several security forces personnel and civilian employees.

Victory at last …

With the concerned authorities agreeing to resolve its grievances, the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) ended its continuous protests over the reduction of the Allied Health Sciences (AHS) degree course from four years to three years. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Cop trying to extort money from lovers remanded

A Police Constable (PC) who had allegedly attempted to extort a sum of Rs. 4,000 from young lovers at Perahera Mawatha in Colombo 3, after threatening to prosecute them in Court for indecent behaviour, was today ordered to be remanded till June 19 by a Colombo Court

Preparations for Poson

People in Colombo are seen busy making their lanterns and replicas of the Mihintale Rock in view of Poson Poya Day which falls tomorrow. Pix by Kushan  Pathiraja

Met Dept. to continue publishing weather forecasts

The Meteorology Department today denied reports which said there was a move to stop publishing weather forecasts

Flights operate from BIA to Karachi

The first Karachi-bound SriLankan flight which was scheduled to take off from Colombo left this morning, the SriLankan Airlines said

Indian fishers urge the Centre to release SL fishermen

Although the fishermen in India has called for an indefinite strike demanding the release of its counterparts, fisherfolk in Rameswaram have urged the Centre and State to release Sri Lankan fishermen detained by India for trespassing into their waters

Plea in HC Seeking Release of Convict

A petition has been filed before the Kerala High Court, seeking the release of a convict who was transferred from a jail in Sri Lanka to India, as per a bilateral agreement between the two countries on exchange of convicts

Rameswaram fishermen to continue strike

Notwithstanding the Sri Lankan government ordering the release of all 82 Tamil Nadu fishermen, arrested on Saturday and Sunday, the Rameswaram fishermen have decided to continue their strike till the Sri Lankan authorities returned all confiscated boats

Video: Hague to investigate claims of Tamil rape victims being deported

William Hague has said the government will investigate claims that Tamil asylum seekers are being deported from the UK to Sri Lanka despite evidence they have been subjected to rape and sexual abuse by the country's security forces ???

Govt. to consult P’ment on Pillay’s request

The Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the main constituent of the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) yesterday decided to ascertain the views of Parliament with regard to the letter sent by UN Human Rights High Commissioner Navi Pillay on the appointment of an investigative team on Sri Lanka and her request seeking access for the team to visit the country

Sexual exploitation: Matter referred to AG

The Police Special Investigative Unit which conducted investigations into a complaint by a 22-year-old girl that she had been sexually exploited by a wealthy businessman since she was 12 was referred to the Attorney General for his advice.

SL reiterates its rejection of the OHCHR investigation

Sri Lankan Government today reiterated its categorical rejection of the investigation launched by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on alleged violations of human rights and international humanitarian law during the war and described the process as ‘prejudiced and biased’.

Video: BBS challenges BASL to debate on letter sent to AG

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organisation today condemned the issuance of a letter by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) to the Attorney General alleging that the BBS had brought Buddhism into grave disrepute, and challenged the BASL for a debate to discuss the accuracy of contents of the letter.

Video: Govt. must respond to CB’s ex-Dep. Governor - Harsha

United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian and well-known economist Dr. Harsha De Silva said today the government should answer the allegations made by the Central Bank’s former Deputy Governor W.A. Wijewardene that the computation of external public debt was below international standards.

Video: FNO against Jaya’s demand

Federation of National Organisations (FNO) today held a protest in front of the Indian High Commission over Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s demand to hold a referendum in the North and East and India’s interference in the Sri Lankan internal matters. Pix by Samantha Perera ???