'Centre willing to facilitate talks with SL fishermen'

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president B.S. Gnanadesikan has said that the Centre was willing to depute its representatives at any time for the proposed dialogue between the fishermen associations of Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu, suggested by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.

Four escape from Mahara Prison

Four prisoners of the Mahara Prison have escaped during heavy rains in the area last evening, prisons department spokesman Gamini Kulatunga said.

Tamil poet arrested for visa violation

Norwegian Tamil poet and actor V.I.S Jeyapalan has been arrested in Sri Lanka for violating visa regulations

Almsgiving to mark President’s birthday

An almsgiving was held today at Ruwanwaliseya in Anuradhapura for 1000 kiri ammas to mark the birthday and assumption of duties by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Pix by Presidential Media Unit

Jaya seeks immediate release of TN Fishermen

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayaram today sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's intervention to secure immediate release of 80 fishermen detained by the Sri Lankan Navy

Another Cabinet Minister sworn in

Deputy Economic Development Minister S.M.Chandrasena was sworn in as a Cabinet Minister for Special Projects before President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Anuradhapura a short while ago, the President’s Office said. Pictures

Four wild elephants electrocuted in Hambantota

Four wild elephants including a baby elephant were electrocuted at Hadilla in Hambantota this morning. They had been killed when they came in contact with an unauthorized electric fence, police said. Pictures

Mobile brothel raided in Mt. Lavinia

Three female sex workers were arrested with three other managers for operating a mobile brothel using a three-wheeler by the Panadura-Walana Anti Vice Squad in Mt. Lavinia last night, police said.

Rs.1bn required to cover CHOGM costs

The government yesterday presented a supplementary estimate seeking Parliamentary approval for supplementary allocations of over one billion rupees, spent on various activities related to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)

Video: Viharamahadevi Park: Use it wisely

Colombo Municipality Land and Environmental Development Director Lalith Wickramaratne said yesterday that the Viharamahadevi Park which was closed last month for renovations is now opened for the public.

Video: MTD collects Rs.250 Mn from special registrations

The Motor Traffic Department said  it had collected about Rs.250 million from the special vehicle registrations introduced recently.

Video: Sathwa Mithra concerned over detained dogs

Representatives of the Sri Lanka Sathwa Mithra Organization today visited the Dematagoda dog pound to ensure the safety of the dogs captured and detained before the CHOGM. It was earlier announced that the animals would be released today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana ???

Tangalle PS chairman pleads not guilty, released on bail

The Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Sampath Vidanapathiranage and five others today pleaded not guilty before the Colombo High Court to the killing of British tourist Khuram Sheikh Zaman

No to international inquiry

Several Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim citizens gathered in Colombo near the Dewatagaha Mosque today after  prayers and staged a protest against British Prime Minister David Cameron’s call for an international inquiry into alleged war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan Army. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

‘Sathwa Mithuru’ visits Dematagoda dog pound

The Sri Lanka Sathwa Mithuru Organisation visited the Dematagoda dog pound today to check on dogs that captured in parallel to the CHOGM. It was earlier announced that animals would be freed today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Arms exports to SL have increased recently-UK MP

British Government Parliamentarian Michael Fallon said that Arms exports to Sri Lanka have increased recently, as the British government has issued a number of licences for weapons and other equipment that will be used by maritime

Video: A casino-friendly anti-people budget: UNP

Underscoring the fact that the 2014 budget had failed to encourage the export industry, which is vital for Sri Lanka’s development, the United National Party (UNP) said today it was basically a casino-friendly, anti-people budget

Video: Protest against Cameron’s comments

A protest was held at the Lipton Circus against the actions and statements made by British Prime Minister David Cameron while he was in the island to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana ???

Used vehicle prices to go up

The prices of used vehicles imported to the country would rise, as the government has changed the depreciation rates applied on customs duty on used vehicles in the 2014 budget, Vehicle Importers Association Chairman Mahinda Sarathchandra said

Container carrying red sandalwood

The 20-foot container containing four metric tonnes of red sandalwood was seized by Customs today. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Import duty on gold reduced to 7.5 %

The Customs said today that the import duty on gold has been reduced to 7.5 percent from 10 per cent

Sanitary ware turns to red sandalwood

Customs seized four metric tonnes of red sandalwood worth some Rs.100 million. They were packed in 445 boxes and imported illegally from South India after being declared as sanitary ware

Voice-calls to cost more

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission said today the voice-call charges on both fixed and mobile phones would increase by 5% from January next year in keeping with the increase in the telecommunication levy as specified in the 2014 budget

India questions Cameron’s stand

India on Thursday questioned British Prime Minister David Cameron's style of addressing war crime allegations in Sri Lanka and averred that such style is counterproductive.

Remaining Lankan boat arrivals returned

The Australian Government has successfully returned every one of the 79 Sri Lankans who arrived illegally in Australia by boat Australia on October 10.

Suspect in Kamburupitiya killing shot dead

The main suspect in the killing of a police constable and his wife was shot dead when caught in a cross fire at Massmulla Kamburupitiya, police said

Iran sends Submarine to Sri Lanka

A submarine-escorted naval fleet set sailed from southern Iran for Mumbai and Colombo on Wednesday

Resolution against Murali

A resolution condemning the statement made by former National Cricket Player Muttiah Muralitharan was unanimously passed at the monthly meeting of the Chavakachcheri Urban Council today

UNP discuss budget

UNP MPs are seen discussing the budget over a cup of tea with Leader of Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe at his office in the parliamentary complex. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Tea party after budget

Parliamentarians attended the traditional tea party, which is held after the budget speech. The president is seen talking to one of the guests. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana