MP pulls out of SL trip over UN inquiry-report

British MP Sharon Hodgson, who is one of the MPs who canceled their planned visit to Sri Lanka, has said that she decided to cancel her visit on hearing the country’s government was refusing to co-operate with the UN inquiry, Sunderlandecho.com reported.

TN govt. stalled fishermen talks- Indian Minister

Senior Congress leader and Union Shipping Minister G.K. Vasan has charged that the Jayalalithaa government had sabotaged the second round of talks between representatives of Tamil Nadu fishermen and their Sri Lankan counterparts when the Centre was keen on arranging the talks to find an amicable solution to the vexatious issue.

Swiss pilot released after airspace incident

Indonesian Air Force officials in Medan, North Sumatra, on Sunday released a civilian aircraft manned by a Swiss national and originated from Katunayake Airport that it captured on Thursday after it flew into Indonesian air space without permission.

Happy New Year!

We wish our readers a prosperous Sinhala and Tamil New Year...

Dudley used emergency once to protect people: Karu

Acting UNP leader Karu Jayasuriya today said that if the late Dudley Senanayake held the executive presidency, the public would not demand to abolish the Executive Presidency, as Mr. Senanayake used the emergency law only once and that too to protect the people’s rights.

Police Chief in Malaysia

Police Chief N.K.Illangakoon left for Malaysia to attend the Defence Services Asia Exhibition and Conference which will be held there from April 14 to 17. Senior DIG Gamini Nawaratne has been appointed as the acting IGP in the absence of Mr. Illangakoon.

Interpol help sought to arrest overseas LTTE leaders

The Sri Lanka Police Department has sought the assistance of Interpol to arrest Perinbanayagam Sivaparan alias Nediyavan and Segarampillai Vinayagamoorthy alias Vinayagam, both who are virtually handling almost all LTTE overseas network, Police said.

Freed Maldivian drug kingpin in SL

The alleged drug kingpin who was released from police custody for being seven minutes late to the hearing that would extend his detention period has departed to Sri Lanka from Maldives, Haveeru on line has learnt.

Three killed in bus accident in Kalmunai

At least three persons were killed and 18 others injured in an accident involving two busses near the Ashrof Hospital in Kalmunai this morning, police said.

47 ASPs transferred

Forty-seven Assistant Superintendents of Police, who were promoted from the Chief Inspectors few weeks ago have been transferred with effect from April 15, Police said.

Brits warned about drink-spiking in SL

Britain has advised its citizens travelling to Sri Lanka mainly in the southern beach resorts to be vigilant as there have been reports of drinks being spiked with drugs.

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