Govt justifies troops presence in North

A day after three key operatives of the banned LTTE were killed in a major military operation in Sri Lanka's north, the government today justified maintaining troops in the former war zones. 

BBS Gen.Sec. makes statement to Police

The Police today recorded a statement from Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera at the Slave Island police station for allegedly threatening a Buddhist monk on Wednesday.

Bodies of slain LTTE leaders identified by relatives

Relatives of three suspected LTTE operatives, who were shot dead by the military yesterday in Nedunkerni in Vavuniya,, today identified the deceased at the Anuradhapura hospital, police said.

No current plans to visit SL-UK MP

Britain Foreign Minister Secretary William Hague said that there are no current plans for the Minister of State Hugo Swire, to visit Sri Lanka.

Celebrating 'Avurudu'

A Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival was held at the Ranweli Hotel, Waikkala yesterday. Picture shows tourists taking part in traditional sports during the New Year celebrations. Pix by Jude Samantha

New Year: new opportunity for all Lankans to join together-Kerry

United States Secretary of State John Kerry issuing Sinhala and Tamil New Year’s message said that this New Year brings a new opportunity for all Sri Lankans to join together in the spirit of tolerance, reconciliation, and peace.

SL should honour commitments made in 2009: UN

The United Nations recalled the commitments made by the Sri Lankan Government in its joint statement with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in May 2009 and urged Sri Lanka to remain committed to its undertaking.

Students in NCP at risk of contracting renal disease

Rajarata University Senior Lecturer in Medicine Dr. Channa Jayasumana said tests carried out by the California State University had revealed that higher grade students in the the North Central Province were at risk of contracting renal diseases in their early youth.

World champs get what they asked for-SLC

Sri Lanka cricketers who refused to sign their annual contracts and left for their victorious campaign in the ICC World T20 tournament in Bangladesh over a disputed payment from International Cricket Council (ICC) events, have been assured of receiving almost what they demanded and have actually clinched much more with the prize money for winning the world title, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Treasurer Nuski Mohamed told “Daily Mirror”.

Balapitiyia PS dispute over contract system

A tense atmosphere prevailed during a monthly meeting of the Balapitiya PS last morning (10) due to an augment between the Chairman and the Vice Chairman over a proposal to do away with the contract system and to implement projects by employing laborers. Pix by Hemantha De Silva

Karu, Kabir call on Mahanayake Theras and discuss political situ

UNP Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya and UNP Chairman Kabir Hashim paid a courtesy call on the Mahanayaka Theras of the Malwatta and Asgiriya Chapters today and discussed the current economic, political, social and cultural situation in the country.

Video: Operation successful…

Soldiers are seen after the search operation at Nedunkerni in Vavuniya, where three LTTE operatives were shot dead. Pix by Romesh Madushanka-Wanni

MH370: Abbott 'confident' over signals

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said authorities are confident that signals heard in the Indian Ocean are coming from the "black box" flight recorders of the missing Malaysia Airlines plane.

A shot at the pot

A blind folded army soldier is seen smashing a pot of water as part of the traditional National New Year celebrations. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Audio: Army says Gobi shot dead

Ponniah Selvanayagam Kajeeban alias Gobi, a former LTTE intelligence cadre, was among the three LTTE leaders who were shot dead by the Army during a clash at Vedivachchikallu in Nedunkerni, Welioya, the Army said.

Lankan refugee ends hunger protest

After observing a fast-unto-death for 34 days demanding the closure of special camps for Sri Lankan refugees in the Tamil Nadu, Sri Lankan Tamil Chenthuran (alias) Murugan on Thursday called off his hunger strike following an assurance from senior police officers who promised to look into his demands

Lankan asylum seeker fighting for his life

A Sri Lankan asylum seeker on a bridging visa is fighting for his life after dousing himself in petrol following a decision by the Australian immigration department to deport him back to Sri Lanka

3 LTTE leaders killed in Nedunkerni

Three LTTE leaders were killed during a clash at Wedichuchikulam in Nedunkeni, Welioya last night, military sources said.

Rookantha,Chandraleka assault case:10 PSD officers released

Ten former Presidential Security Division (PSD) Officers, who were found guilty of assaulting songsters Rookantha Gunathilake and Chandraleka Perera, were released under the Presidential Pardon today, Prison Department official said

Plane originated from SL seized in Indonesia

A retired Swiss airline pilot flying around the world for the last two years in a plane he built himself has been arrested after straying into Indonesian airspace. According to an Indonesian Air Force official he was on a ferry flight from Colombo to Singapore

96 World Cup winning team staff was not ‘well treated’: Whatmore

On a red-carpet reception day when the two Sri Lankan players, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene hit out at Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board over retirement issues, the former coach has come out openly for not receiving the "better treatment" when the team first ever won the 50-over World Cup in 1996

Last tribute

The funeral of the Ven. Kalutara Dhammananda Thera of the Ampara Buddangala Monastery took place at Ampara H.M. Weerasinghe grounds today. Pix by Wasantha Chandrapala

Poverty remains in N & E of SL-UK

While claiming that Sri Lanka was on track to meet most of the millennium development goals (MDGs) including poverty, Britain however said on Wednesday that poverty still exists in areas in the north and east of Sri Lanka where large numbers of Tamils live.

Video: Govt. should make a statement on Wilpattu issue: UNP

While claiming that any kind of construction carried out in a National Park was illegal, the main opposition UNP today urged the government to make a statement on the controversial housing complex being constructed within the Wilpattu National Park

Video: Disabled war heroes celebrate New Year

A disabled war hero at the RagamaRanviruSevana taking part in the traditional ‘Kana MuttiyaBindeema’ competition today during the New Year celebrations held at the rehabilitation centre. Pix by PradeepPathirana

Video: 60 detained for subversive acts

Police said today that 60 people including 10 women had been arrested and detained by the Terrorist Investigations Division (TID) during the past two months for allegedly supporting subversive activities in violation of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

Expressway toll reduced for New Year

The entry fee charged from all categories of vehicles on the Expressways has been reduced from midnight today upto April 25 midnight, on the directive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Government Information Department said.

Ven.Gnanasara Thera asked to appear in Slave Island police

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organisation General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera was asked to be present at the Slave Island police station on April 12 for allegedly threatening a Buddhist monk yesterday, police said.

Pavitra avoids debate as House goes into holiday mood

Parliamentary proceedings came to an abrupt end at 2.25 pm today since there was no quorum in the House to carry out the day’s business.

UK says SL a country of concern

While claiming that the human rights situation in Sri Lanka has not improved during the past three months and placing Sri Lanka as country of concern, the 2013 Human Rights and Democracy Report, released by the Foreign Commonwealth Office said there was some progress in the investigation into the 2011 murder of British national Khuram Shaikh.