Police issues guidelines for Sri Pada season

The Police today introduced a special set of guidelines for devotees who go on Sri Pada pilgrimage which starts on December 16.

Man knocked down by a train at Bambalapitiya

A man selling ‘Kola Kenda’ in Bambalapitiya was run over by a train at around 8.15 a.m. today, police said. They identified the victim as 40-year-old Mohammed Thuwan, a resident of Raddoluwa. Pictures

SL should follow Mandela’s example: Britain

British Deputy Prime Minister Nicholas Clegg said Sri Lanka should emulate South Africa’s truth and reconciliation process as, “there can be no better way for Sri Lanka to heal its wounds and bring peace and unity to its entire people other than by following Mandela’s example.”

SL, TN fishermen talks by month-end

After months of prodding by Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa to set up a talks table between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lankan fishermen, the Centre has finally stirred into action and the proposed meeting might take place by this month-end

Gem and gold worth Rs.64mn seized

Custom Officials arrested a Sri Lankan gem exporter at the Bandaranaike International Airport today while attempting to smuggle gems and gold valued Rs. 64 million to Chennai.

Video: ‘Buddhi Probodhini’ exhibition

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa views pictures at the ‘Buddhi Probodhini’ photo exhibition at Diyatha, Kotte today,  held to mark the World Human Rights day. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Father remanded till end of daughter’s exam

A father who was arrested on charges of having repeatedly assaulted his wife and being cruel to his 16-year-old daughter who was sitting the GEC O/L examination was today ordered to be remanded until the examination ends on December 20

Used vehicle importers in a crisis: VIA

The Vehicle Importers Association (VIA) today alleged that the government had created a monopoly for Brand new vehicle importers through this year’s budget by scrapping the concessions which had been given to the used vehicle importers earlier

Video: Even China says SL govt. corrupt: Ranil

Even China, the country that provides the largest amount of loans to Sri Lanka had charged that the Sri Lankan government was corrupt, main Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said at a seminar held on the 2014 budget at the Jathika Sevaka Sangama Headquarters today

Video: Release Lalith- Kugan

The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) today held a protest near the Fort Railway Station urging the authorities to release the two Human Rights activists, Lalith and Kugan who were abducted two years ago. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Alawwa PS budget defeated again

The 2014 budget of the Alawwa Pradeshiya Sabha was defeated for the second time today by a majority of one vote

Contaminated petrol damages 19 vehicles

At least 19 vehicles experienced technical problems resulting from the petrol pumped at the newly opened Menikhinna filling station, police said.

Facilitate more UN special reps to visit SL-EU

The European Union today called on the Sri Lankan government to extend further invitations to facilitate outstanding visit requests by UN special mandate holders, including the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.

Gamini Navarathne actg. IGP

Inspector General of Police N.K. Illangakoon today left for Malaysia to participate at the Royal Malaysian Police Server function in Malaysia

Indian arrested in Vallamkulam

An Indian national was arrested yesterday by the Illippukadavai Police in Vallamkulam for overstaying his visa and violating immigration laws and selling clothes illegally, The Police said

G.C.E. (O/L) today

Lankan worker rejects paltry compensation

A Sri Lankan worker who lost his leg while working refused Monday to accept SR5,000 as compensation from his Saudi sponsor

Police draw blank on Noori terror inquiry

A solitary Police constable was interdicted and 13 other police officers including a chief inspector charge-sheeted at the conclusion of the investigations into the conduct of police officers of the Deraniyagala Police Station during the alleged ‘era of terror’ unleashed by former Deraniyagala PS Chairman and his political cohorts

New experience for Jaffna students in Colombo

A social event and campfire organized by the 23rd Colombo Girl Guide Company of Musaeus College Colombo together with Jaffna Mirusuvil Roman Catholic Tamil Mixed School was held at Musaeus College today. Students of the Jaffna school also visited Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. to witness the operations at the press and editorial. Pix by kushan Pathiraja and Nisal Baduge

MR accommodates Paba’s circuit bungalow proposals

Actress turned Parliamentarian Upeksha Swarnamali told Parliament today that President Mahinda Rajapaksa accepted two of her three budgetary proposals including the one to establish five circuit bungalows in the country for the benefit of artistes

‘International Anti-Corruption Day’

A ceremony was held at the BMICH this afternoon to mark ‘International Anti-Corruption Day’ organized by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Jayalalitha snag in fishermen release: Deputy Minister

The influence of Jayalalithaa Jayaram, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu was clouding the bilateral discussions between Sri Lanka and India to release Sri Lankan fishermen and their vessels from Indian custody, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development said today

After Terrorist, Santosh Sivan steps into LTTE territory again

Fifteen years ago, cinematographer-filmmaker Santosh Sivan made a haunting film called The Terrorist, a film about a female human bomb, who sets off to kill Rajiv Gandhi

24 injured in Jaffna- Mankulam bus mishap

At least 24 passengers were injured when an SLTB bus heading to Jaffna from Mankulam skidded off the road and rolled over near Pannikkam Kulam area this afternoon, Police said

Mandatory online payments for UK visa applicants in SL

All visa applicants for the UK will have to pay their visa fees online in US dollars via Visa or MasterCard debit or credit cards or e-wallet (Skrill) from December 16, 2013, the British High Commission in Colombo announced.

Akashi calls on MR

Senior Japanese diplomat Yasushi Akashi called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa this morning at the President’s House. Pix courtesy President’s Media Unit

Man attempts suicide over FEB failure

A person from Anuradhapura attempted suicide by taking poison in front of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau at Battaramulla. He had a grouse against the authorities for ignoring his requests to get his foreign-employed wife back to Sri Lanka.

Akashi, MR discuss LLRC and reconciliation

Yashushi Akashi, special envoy of the Japanese government called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa a short while ago at the Presidents House

Video: Sajith damaging UNP: Bikkhu Peramuna

While indicating its displeasure over parliamentarian Sajith Premadasa’s refusal to be part of the United National Party (UNP) Leadership Council, the Eksath Bikkhu Peramuna today accused Mr. Premadasa of having caused the biggest damage to the party. 

Notice on Nettikumara over gambling den

The Colombo Fort Magistrate today issued notice on Vajira Janaki Nettikumara to appear in Courts on January 13 on charges of having permitted the operation of an up-market gambling centre in a building owned by her.