Int'l community patience on SL could wear thin-US

The US has warned Sri Lanka that the patience of the international community could wear thin if the Rajapaksa Government does not take steps to address the issue of human rights, accountability and reconciliation process.

NPC Opposition leader arrested over Delft murder

Northern Provincial Council EPDP Opposition leader K. Kamalendran was arrested by the CID over the murder of the Delft Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman, Police spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said

Another Ethanol stock recovered

More than 74, 000 litres of Ethanol worth Rs. 82 million were taken into custody by the Customs officials at the Orugodawatte container yard this morning, customs media spokesman Lesly Gamini said

Navy chief admiral plays down training to SL Navy

With a political storm raging in Tamil Nadu over India’s military ties with Sri Lanka, Navy chief Admiral D K Joshi on Tuesday clarified that there was “no scaling up of any activity” with the island nation, but added a rider that training the neighbouring country’s military personnel was to India’s advantage.

Video: PC Minister should apologise to all SL Artistes: SLASA

The Provincial Council minister who assaulted popular singer Saman de Silva should apologise to the entire school of artistes in the country, Sri Lanka Singers Association (SLASA) Joint Secretary Madumadhawa Aravinda said.Pictures

Military presence is the main problem-CM to UN envoy

The biggest problem faced by the Northern Province residents was the presence of the army, which was pivotal in creating other problems, Northern Province Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran had told the visiting UN Special Rapporteur Dr. Chaloka Beyani.

SL remains committed to conduct impartial probe-Army

The military today said that the government remains committed to conduct impartial and comprehensive criminal investigations and domestic inquiries into any complaints and information received, relating to alleged perpetration of crimes by members of the armed forces and the police.

SL ranks 91 in corruption index

Sri Lanka ranked 91st place on Transparency International’s corruption perception index for 2013, according to a report released on Tuesday

BBS in favour of private campus

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Organisation today said that it was in favour of establishing private universities in Sri Lanka and said the move would stop Sri Lankan monies going out of the country

‘Ketayam’ Chinthaka killed

Chinthaka Wasantha alias ‘Ketayam’ Chinthaka, the main suspect in the killing of a policeman and his wife at Kamburupitiya was shot dead during a confrontation with Special Task Force personnel at Nigala last night. Pix by Krishan Jayaruk

Duminda Silva’s former driver surrenders

Four people, including parliamentarian Duminda Silva’s former driver, who are suspected in the killing of an Athurugiriya night club bouncer surrendered to the police a short while ago, sources said

Hulugalle continues to head NGO secretariat

Director General Lakshman Hulugalle said today that he will continue to head the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Secretariat.

Major shakeup at Law College

The conduct of several officials within the Law College are currently under scrutiny for alleged malpractices committed in the ‘administrative and examinations procedures, following the suspension of former Principal W. D Rodrigo, the Daily Mirror learns.

Six Lankan fishermen arrested

Six Sri Lankan nationals have been arrested and their boat seized by the Indian Coast Guard off Andhra Pradesh coast for allegedly illegally entering and fishing in Indian waters

KSA demands probe into diplomat’s death

The body of the Saudi diplomat who was found dead inside a swimming pool in an apartment complex in Colombo on Sunday will be flown to Jeddah on Tuesday

Sanath's jeep in wild boar collision

The jeep carrying MP Sanath Jayasuriya collided with a wild boar on the Southern Highway last night, badly damaging the vehicle. However Jayasuriya escaped unhurt

Sharma welcomes SL census

Last week’s announcement by the Government of Sri Lanka that it will conduct a national census to determine the extent of the loss of life during the country’s 26-year old civil war, is a welcome step, Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma said

‘Ketayam Chinthaka’ shot dead

An underworld leader, Chinthaka Wasantha, known as Ketayam Chinthaka, who is the main suspect in the killing of a policeman and his wife in Kamburupitiya was shot dead during a confrontation with Special Task Force personnel in Nigala last night, police said.

U.N. envoy in Sri Lanka

The U.N. special envoy on human rights of internally displaced persons arrived in Sri Lanka on Monday to examine the status of people rendered homeless by the country’s three-decade civil war

I am still DG-- Hulugalle

Lakshman Hulugalle, the Director General of the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said the Centre was not abolished only ‘defined’.

MCNS scrapped

The Presidential Media Unit said a short while ago that the Defence Ministry had abolished the Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) with effect from November 1. The MCNS was headed by Lakshman Hulugalle

Left in the lurch

Members of the All Ceylon Peasants’ Federation held a protest rally at Fort today. They distributed handbills accusing the Government of ignoring their plight and not fulfilling the promises it had made before the budget. The protesters are seen clad in the traditional loin cloth. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

SL must focus foreign policy on West: UNP

United National Party (UNP) parliamentarian and former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said today Sri Lanka’s foreign policy should be focused on the West instead of the African region

Report on Vaas’ iPad submitted to AG

The CID informed the Colombo Magistrate courts today that it had submitted a report on the iPad used by former DIG Vaas Gunawardena to the Attorney General.

Video: Khuram Shaikh trial re-fixed to March

The six accused in the murder of British aid worker Khuram Shaikh were granted bail by the Colombo High Court based on the bail granted by the Tangalle Magistrate’s Court earlier ???

SPC minister told to report to Borella Police

Borella Police said they would arrest Southern Provincial Council Minister Bindu Weerasinghe if he did not report to the Police station today. He is accused of assaulting popular singer Saman De Silva.

Another gold smuggler caught

A Sri Lankan was arrested this morning at the Katunayake Airport when attempting to smuggle four gold biscuits concealed in his rectum, Airport Customs spokesman Leslie Gamini said.

A ‘rogue elephant’ captured

Wildlife Officials captured a rogue elephant that had been destroying crops and terrorising the Mahakumbukkan kadawala and Pallama Divisional Secretariat areas in Chilaw. The elephant was taken to a national park nearby. Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe

Special traffic plan for Alles’ funeral

One lane on the roadleading from Gateway College at Sri Jayawardenapura to the Borella General Cemetery will be closed for vehicular traffic between 4.00 p.m. to 5.00p.m

Russian motorcyclist arrested on new expressway

A Russian motorcyclist was arrested this morning while riding along the Colombo- Katunayake expressway after entering it surreptitiously. He had entered the expressway at the 18th kilometre post at the Negombo entry point and