The first phase of the new Colombo – Matara rail track is nearing completion and the stretch from Galle to Matara is being constructed at a cost of US$ 36 million. When the Newsfirst team arrived at the location, the construction work was being carried out expeditiously. […]
A union representing doctors in Sri Lanka has protested against government plans to stop free healthcare for those addicted to alcohol. The health ministry is planning to stop free health care to “alcohol-addicts” from next month. The union says the new measure jeopardises doctor-patient relations because medics are required to provide a health report for […]
Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix by: Sudath Silva) President Mahinda Rajapaksa participated the Thai Pongal National Festival at Alfred Doraiappa Stadium in Jaffna this morning on 17 January while all the Hindus countrywide joined in celebrating the Thai Pongal festival on a grand scale. The main ceremony was made colourful by a special […]
Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix by: Sudath Silva) President Mahinda Rajapaksa paid homage to Nagadeepa Temple in Nainativu Island on 17 January after attending at the National Thai Pongal Festival which was held at the Alfred Doraiappa Stadium. Chief incumbent of the Nagadeepa Temple and the Chief Sangha Nayaka of the Northern Province, […]
United States became the second country to offer emergency assistance to more than a million affected by flooding in Sri Lanka. U.S. ambassador to the country, Patricia A. Butenis, said in a statement that Washington was donating U.S. $300,000 to provide various goods and services to areas hardest-hit by the floods. […]
Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix by: Sudath Silva) A much waited Sangupiddy dream bridge which links the Northern peninsula to the rest of the country via Pooneryn declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday on 16 January. The Sangupiddy Bridge across the Jaffna lagoon connects Pooneryn from the mainland and Karaitivu in the […]
Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma from London British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Alistair Burt has expressed his support on the flooding in Sri Lanka in a message issued on the 14 January. Minister Burt further extended his sympathy to all those who have suffered as a result of the rains. Minister made these […]
A new online visa scheme for all visitors will be introduced soon replacing the current on arrival visa for selected countries, Sri Lanka authorities say. Controller General of Immigration and Emigration Chulananda Perera told BBC Sandeshaya that representatives of tourism industry whom he recently met agreed that it is a much improved measure than the […]
President Mahinda Rajapaksa said with regard to a political solution to the ethnic problem, a solution will be arrived at in consensus with all political parties depending on the proposals they make. The President said so at a discussion with foreign correspondents at Temple Trees yesterday. […]
The raging waters caused by the incessant rains spared no man nor beast in its path. When nature unleashed it fury across the land, this little pachyderm had little chance of survival. The tiny jumbo got swept away by the raging floods. Whether he breathed his last by drowning or by getting his skull cracked […]
It is the duty of the media to help build amity among all communities and not contribute to fostering hatred among people, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the Heads and Editors of the Private and State Media at Temple Trees yesterday. Responding to a question as to what he considered the major challenge in the […]
Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix by: Sudath Silva) The composer of the Sri Lankan National Anthem, artiste and late musician Ananda Samarakoon’s 100th birth anniversary was commemorated at Temple Trees on 13 January. President Mahinda Rajapaksa graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and said that the best honour can be awarded to […]
Nine student activists of the Rajarata University had to apologize before the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences yesterday. The student activists were produced before court with charges levelled against them for harassment and obstruction of a group including professor Ariyasinghe Langamuwa, while participating at a meeting of a banned organisation. […]
At least six were killed and eight others injured following a passenger bus bashed into a van proceeding from Kuruwita to Colombo at Ihala Kosgama on the Avissawella-Colombo road early this morning, the Police said. Out of the fourteen people in the van six died, while the driver died on the spot, The Police said. […]