Australian police declined to interview alleged 'tortured' Lankan-report

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) declined the opportunity to interview a Sri Lankan asylum seeker sent back from Christmas Island who alleged he had been “severely tortured” by local police on his return, a cable obtained under freedom of information laws has revealed, The Guardian reported.

Video: Femina girls here

The 20 finalists of the Femina-Miss India Contest arrived in Sri Lanka today. They are to visit historically important sites in their weeklong holiday in the country. The tour was organised by the Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts and the SriLankan Airlines. Pix. by Deepa Adikari

Two Lankans with fake passports nabbed

Two Sri Lankan nationals, who were allegedly travelling on fake passports to Dubai, were apprehended by airport security officials last morning in Pune, India

NZ must support Int'l inquiry into SL war crimes allegations

New Zealand needs to lend its support to an independent international investigation into allegations of war crimes in Sri Lanka, Green Party human rights spokesperson Jan Logie said today

4,000 Tamils protest in Geneva for SL war crimes probe

Thousands of Tamils demonstrated in Geneva on Monday to protest Sri Lanka's rejection of calls for an international probe into alleged war crimes at the end of its civil war

14 injured in Fort bus accident

About 14 patients were admitted to the Colombo National Hospital following a bus accident in Colombo Fort this morning, the hospital sources said

SL missions report sharp drop in cases of runaway maids

Following the end of the amnesty, the Sri Lankan missions in Jeddah and Riyadh are witnessing a sharp drop in the number of runaway housemaids

Lankan maid jailed for six months

A maid who was arrested shortly before attempting to flee the country with Dh55,000 worth of her sponsor’s jewellery has been jailed for six months.

CBK seeks meeting with MR on religious harmony

Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga has sought an appointment with President Mahinda Rajapaksa today in her capacity as the South Asia Policy and Research Institute (SAPRI) representative, to submit the organization’s recommendations for religious harmony, sources close to her said

Hangman quits over fear of gallows

The newly appointed hangman has quit his job soon after seeing the gallows, Prison Department sources said.

Promoting Malaysian tourism in Colombo

Artistes representing different ethnic groups in Malaysia participated in a Malaysian Tourism promotion campaign organized by the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board in Colombo today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

‘We still don't know what happened to flight’

The fate of the missing Malaysian Airlines jet that disappeared three days ago with 239 people aboard remained a mystery Monday as the latest possible clues to the plane's whereabouts were discounted, authorities said

Baba, pay the money or I’ll take poison: alleges teacher

A former Rahula College teacher with tears streaming down her cheeks read a letter in Court sent by a bank to parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake seeking arrears of a payment she made on his behalf

Committee appointed on social media awareness

A committee will be appointed to investigate the use of Internet and Social Media Networks, Sri Lanka's Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRCSL) Director Anusha Palpita said

Video: No T-56 for policemen

Taking into consideration the safety of police personnel on duty the Police Department has decided to arm each policeman with a pistol or a revolver.

Video: Down with the US resolution

Eastern Tamils are seen carrying lion flags and placards at a protest over the US-sponsored resolution on Sri Lanka. It wasorganised by the Eastern Province Tamil Civil Society Federation in Colombo this morning. Pix by Pradeep Dilruskshana ???

Video: Nearly 100 students nabbed for forcibly entering girls’ schools

More than 100 students of a leading boys’ school in Colombo were taken into custody this morning morning on charges of having forcibly entered several leading girls’ schools in Colombo, a senior police official said

Luxury bus service from Kaduwela to Galle

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) announced it would operate a luxury bus service from Kaduwela to Galle along the Southern Expressway from today.

Paid leave for voting

All employees are entitled for paid leave to cast their vote at the March 29 elections to the Western and Southern Provincial Councils, the Government Information Department said today.

Britain joins call for UN to probe on SL

Britain is to join the US and three other countries in pushing for a full international inquiry into alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka after the government there failed to satisfy international calls for a such an inquiry, Downing Street announced on Sunday.

National drug policy: draft bill to be presented to President today

The long- awaited legislation that provides for the introduction of a national drug policy in line with the recommendations of Prof. Senaka Bibile has been drawn up, and a copy of it will be presented to President Mahinda Rajapaksa today, a spokesman said.

Beach rugby sans liquor

The Youth Zone of the Alcohol and Drug Information Centre (ADIC) yesterday held a beach rugby tournament at the Mount Lavinia beach under the banner ‘Who says Alcohol is Fun?. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: Three killed in fiery disaster

Three members of a family were killed and three injured after one family member set fire to a house in Kataragama last night, police said. UPDATE

Video: Asia Cup champions come home

The Sri Lankan cricket team returned victorious to the country this evening after beating Pakistan in the Asia Cup one-day cricket final played in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Here cricket fans cheer the cricketers as they drive past on a sightseeing bus to the SLC headquarters. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Marketing

UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe hands over a party election campaign leaflet at the Vegetable Market at Mt. Lavinia during the party’s political campaign this morning. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Twice-punished student ends up in hospital

A Grade VII student of a school in Nawalapitya who was punished by his teacher was subsequently caned by the principal, warranting admission to hospital.

Lankan refugees get lessons on self-defence

Some of their sisters fell to bullets; some others took to arms. Five years after the war ended in Sri Lanka, these women refugees from the island nation are now learning self-defencewith the help of an NGO.

Video: Still no sign of missing Malaysia flight

As the hunt for the missing Malaysian Air jumbo jet gained momentum Sunday in the South China Sea and Malaysian intelligence agencies were investigating potential terrorism, hopes were all but gone for the 239 passengers and crew.

UNP celebrates Int’l Women’s Day

United National Party (UNP) stalwarts today ceremonially celebrated the International Women’s Day in the Public Library, Colombo. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja     

Long line to enter new highway

The first phase of the Kaduwela-Kottawa Outer Circular Highway (OCH) had been open to the public since 12 noon today and there was a long queue of vehicles waiting to enter the new highway since morning.