Julie Bishop stalls on UN call for SL war crimes inquiry

The Abbott government is resisting a push by its closest allies to establish a United Nations investigation into war crimes and human rights abuses in Sri Lanka, where Australia has returned more than 1100 failed asylum seekers in the past 18 months

Talks only after SL releases Indian fishermen-Jaya

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa Thursday said the second round of talks between the Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen can be held March 25 only if all the arrested Indian fishermen and their boats are released before that date.

Foreign experts to inspect Fmr. CJ’s bank details

The Counsel for former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake today told court that a defence team including foreign experts would be examining the computer data of the NDB bank pertaining to the accounts of the former Chief Justice and therefore they need a longer period for the purpose

House in chaos as Azwer takes Chair

Parliament sessions took a chaotic turn today when UPFA MP A. H. M Azwer took the chair  as the presiding officer amidst strong protests by UNP MPs who charged that there was an agreement that MP Azwer would not be allowed to preside over sessions

Menace of poaching handled diplomatically: CDS

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Jagath Jayasuriya said the menace of poaching is handled diplomatically by India and Sri Lanka without leaving any room for violence or organised crimes

Video: CID identifies three in connection with OICs death

Three individuals have being identified by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in connection with the death of Borella OIC Prasad Siriwardena who succumbed to his injuries after a tree cut down by protesters fell on to him in Thunnane, Hanwella.

Video: We’re united!

Sri Lankan Tamil pro-government activists carry national flags as they take part in a demonstration outside the US embassy in Colombo today against the US-led resolution. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Karuna doubts SL's intention to solve fishermen issue

Raising doubt over Sri Lanka's intention to solve fishermen issue, DMK President M Karunanidhi today slammed the latest incident of arrest of Indian fishermen by the island navy, saying if it wants a solution for the matter it should not indulge in such acts

Occupational hazard

Workers on the Outer Circular Highway staged a demonstration today urging authorities to pay compensation to three of their colleagues who had died due to a mishap while working. The workers said the authorities had been negligent in ensuring worker safety during the constructions. (Pix by Janaka Galappathi)

Video: EC rejects ‘Janapathi Janahamuwa’

Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya today said he had informed the responsible authorities that he did not agree with programmes such as ‘Janapathi Janahamuwa’ TV programme being telecast during the Western and Southern PC polls and that they had accepted it.

Video: Deputy Minister behind bus block on E01: LPBOA

A deputy minister in Matara had assisted a private bus organisation to halt buses from being commissioned on the Southern Expressway from Matara, the Lanka Private Bus Owners Association (LPBOA) alleged today

Video: Dompe killing: suspect surrenders

A suspect who was alleged to have assaulted a supporter of UNP WPC candidate Harshana Rajakaruna surrendered to the Dompe Police this morning, the Police said

Trinco shops closed over UNHRC resolution

Many shops in Trincomalee city have been closed in support of a protest carried out by an organisation called Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims Organisation against the US sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva PICTURES

Video: Birth Anniversary of Gamini Dissanayake observed

The 72nd birth anniversary of the late Gamini Dissanayake was held today in front of his statute on Green Path with the participation of his family members, politicians and other stalwarts. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: World Oral Health Day

The Health Ministry today organised an awareness march on dental health with the participation of several school children and health officials to mark the World Oral Health Day today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Australia says 2 objects from missing plane may have been found

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Thursday satellite imagery had found two objects possibly related to the search for a Malaysia Airlines(MASM.KL) jetliner missing since March 8 with 239 people on board

Video: Wilgamuwa former and current PS Chairman arrested with cannabis

Wilgamuwa Provincial Council (PC) Chairman Jayarathne Weerasekera, his driver and the former Provincial Council Chairman Ranjith Kumarasiri were taken into custody for allegedly possessing 2.8 kilograms of cannabisin their cab vehicle last night, police said

75 more Indian fishermen arrested

Seventy four Indian fishermen and 18 fishing boats were taken into custody by the Sri Lankan Navy yesterday for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), Navy Spokesperson Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said

I made the mistake of speaking of CM’s post -- Basil

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said today that he made the mistake of commenting on the chief ministership even on previous occasions but that people of Colombo would prove him right. at the elections on the 29th

Arrest warrants against 15 undergrads

The Mahara Chief Magistrate issued warrants today for the arrest of fifteen students of the Kelaniya University, who were accused of disturbing the peace by holding a protest march despite a court order forbidding it

Video: Final journey

The coffin of the late OIC Prasad Siriwardhana was carried by his colleagues to the funeral pyre. A large number of mourners gathered at the Borella Cemetery to pay their last respects to deceased OIC. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Mayor argument is full of holes: Ravi

Commenting on the bus-halt tussle, UNP parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake said it appeared that the sole reason for demolishing the bus stand was his poster

Minister shies away from ‘Dinuda’ fiasco

Despite an investigation initiated by the Botanical Gardens and Public Recreation Ministry to look into how baby elephant ‘Dinuda’ was included in an animal exchange programme, Minister Jayaratna Herath today said anyone could complain to the authorities concerned if there were allegations against him or other Ministry officials on the matter

Nobody will impose sanctions on SL- GL

Nobody would put trade sanctions on Sri Lanka nor had anyone raised the issue of imposing sanctions on us, External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said today.

Ravi K. used bus halt to put up posters: Mayor

Colombo Mayor A.J.M Muzzamil said today parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake had used funds obtained from the Ministry of Economic Development to build the bus halt, which has been caught up in the centre of a storm

Students protest at Fort

Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesting university students who had reached Fort on a protest march organised by the Inter University Student Federation (IUSF). Pix by Nisal Baduge

Police use tear gas at IUSF protest

Police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the protesting university students who had reached Fort. Heavy traffic was also reported in and around the Fort area.

UNP protest halts Parliament proceedings

Parliament was adjourned for 15 minutes when UNP MPs protested inside the chamber carrying placards over the Speaker’s refusal to allow an urgent debate on the drug issue.

Pakistani national and local drug kingpin arrested

Pakistani national and the local drug kingpin who were behind the importation of 36 kilogrammes of heroin were taken into custody by the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB).

Protest march cause traffic congestion at Kelaniya

Heavy traffic congestion was reported on the Colombo-Kandy main road at Kelaniya because of a protest march by hundreds of University Students who were on their way to Kollupitiya