DMK urges Centre to support resolution against SL at UNHRC

The DMK on Sunday urged the Centre to support a US-backed resolution against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

Video: CISM Day Run 2014

Sri Lanka’s third joint tri-service Marathon Run, organized under the auspices of Brussels-based International Military Sports Council (Conseil International du Sport Militaire), more widely known as ‘CISM Day Run,’ commenced early this morning near the Colombo Light House Galley. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Father sparks row over Rajiv assassin’s parentage

In a controversial claim, Sankaranarayanan, the ageing father of Nalini Sriharan, the life convict in former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination, has disputed the widely perceived belief that Padma, a co-convict, was her mother. Instead he has claimed that Nalini’s mother was one Valliammal.

Video: Body of Intelligence Police officer found in Godagama

The body of a Police Inspector attached to the Western Province Intelligence Unit in Mount Lavinia was found with gunshot injuries in a paddy field in Godagama a short while ago, police said.Pictures

Lankan debtor’s daughter taken in by foundation

The General Department of Human Rights in Dubai, in cooperation with the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, took in a 4-year-old Sri Lankan child after her father was imprisoned in a financial case and left her alone with a neighbour. 

SL navy acting with greater impunity after talks-Jaya

Charging Sri Lankan navy with acting with "greater impunity" against Indian fishermen from the state, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalalithaa said the island's navy has intensified its "hostile action" after the Indo-Lankan fishermen level talks.

We continue to monitor land issue in SL-UK

Britain reiterated that it will continue to ‘monitor closely civil and political rights as well as land issues in Sri Lanka.

India may vote against Sri Lanka again

India is most likely to vote against Sri Lanka when its human rights record comes up for evaluation before the United Nations Human Rights Council in March, according to a senior official who did not want to be named

Youth drowns in boat capsise

A 23-year-old youth drowned when a boat capsised in Kalukohutenna, Kithulgala on the Kelani River last evening, Police said

Gangarama Navam Perahara

President Mahinda Rajapaksa graced the first day of the Gangarama Navam Perahara yesterday, along with several dignitaries. Seen here are President Rajapaksa, Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Ven. Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thera of the Gangarama Temple garlanding the relic casket on top of the tusker. Pix by Samantha Perera

Wigneswaran wants dual nationality for diaspora

Northern province Chief Minister C.V.Wigneswaran stressed the need to give 'dual nationality' to members of the diaspora so that they could return to Sri Lanka and participate in post-war rebuilding work.

Video: Russia opposes moves to use HR issues to interfere in SL’s affairs

Human rights issues—although a legitimate global concern—must not be used by the international community to interfere in the internal affairs of a country or as a tool of force, a high ranking Russian official today said, while on a visit to Sri Lanka

Don’t isolate SL-Australia to Int’l Comm.

The Australian government has requested the international community not to isolate Sri Lanka at this juncture.

SL won’t accept ‘country-specific’ resolutions by UN: Dilan

Minister Dilan Perera, special envoy to Namibia said Sri Lanka would not accept any ‘country-specific’ resolutions by the U.N., because such resolutions are aimed at targeting specific countries for narrow political reasons

Presidential Com. on missing persons begins hearings

The Presidential Commission appointed to look into missing persons in the North and East during the period between 1990 and 2009 began its public hearings today in Jaffna, the Government Information Department said

Video: Bath for Perahera elephant

An Elephant being bathedahead of the annual Nawam Maha Perahera of the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple.The Perahera will be held with traditional performances today and tomorrow. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Retired engine drivers called for duty

The Sri Lanka Railways General Manager has requested retired engine drivers to report for duty on a contract basis because the ongoing railway strike had disrupted the train services, Railway Department sources said

43 SL fishermen and 10 trawlers released

Nearly 43 fishermen and their ten trawlers held in Indian custody were handed over to the Sri Lanka Navy by the Indian Coast guard yesterday, police said

3,200 posters of UPFA candidate confiscated

Some 3,200 posters, printed by a UPFA candidate in violation of election laws, were taken into custody by the police and election officers at Akuressa

Video: Religious observances at Devram Vehera

Devotees are seen engaging in religious observances at Devram Vehera temple in Pannipitiya today to mark the Navam Poya Day. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Railway strike continuing

The Railway Strike launched by members of the Locomotive Drivers Union and the Sri Lanka Railway Technical Trade Union yesterday is continuing resulting in several train services being cancelled, the Railway Department said

Indo-SL talks:TN mechanised boats to stay ashore for a month

Tamil Nadu mechanised boat fishermen, who were fishing in the Palk Bay, have decided to stay away from the sea for a month from yesterday, as decided at the bilateral talks held between representatives of State fishermen with their Sri Lankan counterparts on January 27 in Chennai

SL’s fate hangs on tough lobbying in US-Lalith

Amidst proposed moves by the US Congress and the US government to bring in a resolution against Sri Lanka at the upcoming UNHRC sessions, Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga said ‘the most significant factor when it comes to the power of lobbying, solely depends on the choice of lobbying groups one has access to in the US’

UN wants new drug laws in SL

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) yesterday asked Sri Lanka to set up a mechanism in the country to prosecute those caught trafficking drugs in the high seas, it is learnt.

Russian couple arrested on expressway

A Russian couple was arrested by the Southern Expressway traffic police for travelling on a motor bike towards Colombo on the expressway near the 82nd mile post, police said

Video: Election Commissioner at SLHRC

Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya is seen coming out of the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission (SLHRC) today where he met SLHRC Chairman Prathiba Mahanamahewa to discuss about holding a free and fair election. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Piece of advice

JHU leader Ven Dr. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera making a point with Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the launch of the JHU provincial polls campaign with the participation of its Colombo district candidates, ex-provincial councillor Minister Udaya Gammanpila and JHU spokesman Nishantha Warnasinghe. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

PC polls ideal for people to express solidarity with MR: Gotabaya

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa today said that with the Geneva sessions coming up in March, the forthcoming Western and Southern Provincial Council polls was a good opportunity for the people to show that they were still with the government and President Mahinda Rajapaksa

Train services interrupted due to strike

Train services have been interrupted due to a strike launched by the Locomotive Drivers Union and Sri Lanka Railway Technical Trade Union, Union Secretary B.S. Kamal Peiris said.Pictures

Video: Does mode of transport matter?

Eksath Janatha Peramuna Leader and its General Secretary Sirimasiri Hapuarachchi who is contesting the Western Provincial Council Election from the UNP, arrives in his trishaw for the meeting held at the Election Secretariat this morning Pix by Pradeep Pathirana