Category: Local News

President Rajapaksa inaugurates island wide celebrations by launching Tree planting programme

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix by: Sudath Silva) President Mahinda Rajapaksa inaugurated island wide celebrations to mark his second term of office and his birthday this morning on 15 November at Temple Trees. ‘Deyata Sevana’, a massive tree planting campaign was launched by the President to mark the occasion today at the auspicious […]



Sri Lanka extends U.S.$ 40,000 for educational development in Palestine.

Sri Lanka has extended a sum of US$ 40,000/- to strengthen Primary Education Teachers of Palestine. At a simple ceremony held recently at the Representative Office of Sri Lanka to inaugurate the second stage of the project, Mr. Jihad Draidi, Director General for the Projects and Ms. Aisha Bekir, Director of Special Education from the […]



Police probe assault on JVPers in Jaffna

Investigations are being conducted into the incident where Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) member and Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Parliamentarian Sunil Handunnetti and several others were assaulted this evening in Jaffna, a senior police official told Adaderana. The official said that around 15 persons are suspected to have carried out the assault. Two separate police teams […]



A Special moment after getting freedom for the second time – Minister Keheliya Rambukwella

Ceremonial inauguration of second term of office of a President is a tradition world over. But the ceremonial inauguration of the Second Term of Office of His Excellency Mahinda Rajapakse is extraordinary as this moment dawns after obtaining freedom for the second time says Mass Media & Information Minister Mr. Keheliya Rambukwella at the Nidahasa […]



Deepa Mehta to shoot Midnight’s Children in Sri Lanka

Oscar nominated director Deepa Mehta and multi-award-winning author Salman Rushdie’s screen adaptation of his extraordinary multi award-winning international bestselling novel Midnight’s Children will commence shooting in Sri Lanka in January 2011. Shabana Azmi, Irrfan Khan, Soha Ali Khan, Nandita Das, Chandan Roy Sanyal and Seema Biswas will star in the English language film. […]



President instructs officials: Take stern action against animal torture

  President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed officials to take stern action against those involved in animal torture. The President gave these instructions when representatives of an anti animal torture organization met him recently. President Mahinda Rajapaksa drew attention to the illegal transportation of cattle. […]



UDUL PREMARATNE, CONVENOR OF IUSF, REMANDED AGAIN

November 12, 2010: Udul Premaratne, Convenor of the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF), was refused bail for the second occasion today by the Colombo Magistrate Rashmi Singappuli. Lawyers appearing on behalf of Udul Premaratne told court that he had been invited to attend an international youth council to be held in South Africa. As their […]



Floods play havoc

Floods following the heaviest rains in 18 years displaced at least 200,000 people in the Western Province. Many roads in Colombo and the suburbs were inundated bringing traffic to a standstill at times and severely affecting day-to- day activities of the public. […]



TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT ENTRY POINTS INTO COLOMBO CITY – POLICE CCTV UNIT

November 11, 2010: Sever traffic congestion can be observed at the entry points into Colombo city, says the Colombo police Close Circuit Television (CCTV) unit. Senior DIG Gamini Navarathne who is in charge of the unit, speaking to Newsfirst said that traffic congestion has built up at the Kelani bridge on the road leading into […]




I WAITED TILL THE LAST MOMENT TO VERIFY WHITE FLAG INCIDENT: FREDRICA

November 10, 2010: Providing evidence before the High Court yesterday, the editor of the Sunday Leader newspaper Frederica Jansz said that she waited until the last moment to verify alleged white flag incident from Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, as she felt objections may be raised by the government, if the information had come to light. […]



A mass kiribath to serve 65000 people

People of this country will have a rare opportunity to witness and taste the largest Kiribath prepared by our well known chefs in the country. This will be a show on the first day of the Novel Exhibition and Ceremonies held at Independent Square on 17th instant when the grand ceremony is declared open by […]



Iran for Lanka’s rapid development; President Ahmadinejad assures Prof Peiris:

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad yesterday assured support to Sri Lanka’s rapid economic and infrastructure development. President Ahmadinejad who met External Affairs Minister Prof G L Peiris of the strength of the bond between the two countries reiterated Iran’s continuing support for Sri Lanka in the challenging tasks connected with rapid economic and infrastructure development in […]



TENSE SITUATION WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL ARRIVES AT LIPTON CIRCUS PROTEST

November 09, 2010: A protest was held opposite the Welikada Prison yesterday against the attack launched on a group of police officers inside the prison on Sunday. As a result of this protest, the protest organized by a group called the ‘War Heroes for the General’ which was to take place opposite the Welikada prison, […]



Wonder of Asia: Town planners have a major role

Town planners have a major role to play in making Sri Lanka the Wonder of Asia, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said. “Town planning should be realistic. Co-ordination and dialogues are required to implement town planning. Low-income groups should be relocated,” the Defence Secretary said at the World Town Planning Day held at the BMICH, Colombo […]



President Rajapaksa participates annual Katina Ceremony of Gangarama Temple

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix By: Chandana Perera) President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Mrs Shiranthi Rajapaksa participated the annual Katina ceremony organized by the Gangaramaya Temple, Hunupitiya, Colombo in the early hours on 08 November. The Katina Perahera (procession) was started from the Temple Trees with participation of the President, family members, Temple Trees […]