Category: Local News

Are we still friends?

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma – (Pix by: Sudath Silva) Opposition leader and the leader of the United National Party (UNP) Ranil Wickramasinghe met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Temple Trees this morning on 19th April. According to the President Media Sources this was the first meeting between President Rajapaksa and Mr Ranil Wickramasinghe […]



All night Pirith Chanting at parliament to invoke blessings on the country

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix by: Chandana Perera) All night Pirith Chanting ceremony was held at the Sri Jayawardenapura-Kotte Parliamentary Complex last night on 18th April to invoke blessings on the country and the people before the convening of the maiden session of the seventh parliament on Thursday. At the inauguration of the […]



President Rajapaksa declares open a new building at ITN

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma – (Pix by: Sudath Silva) President Mahinda Rajapaksa declared open a new building and A.P. Samarakoon Studio at Independent Television Network (ITN) at Wickramasinghepure, Battaramulla on 19th April. ITN is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and the President visited the premises to mark the occasion. His visit is […]



Repay duty by people, President Rajapaksa tells UPFA MPs

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma – (Pix by: Sudath Silva) President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressed the newly elected parliamentarians from the ruling party UPFA at the Presidential Secretariat on 18th April and said that in the future journey of the motherland pledged by the ‘Mahinda Chinthana Idiri Dekma- A Brighter Future’ their only aim should […]



President Rajapaksa graces the Fox Hill Motor Cross Rally in Diyathalawa

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma – (Pix By: Chandana Perera) President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa graced the Fox Hill Super Motor Cross Rally-2010 in Diyathalawa, successfully organised by the Sri Lanka Military Academy of the Sri Lanka Army and the Sri Lanka Association of Racing Driver and Riders. The President, First […]



Lovely breeze at Galle Face Green says President Rajapaksa

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma – (Pix by: Sudath Silva) President Mahinda Rajapaksa made a surprise visit to the Galle Face Green to inspect the Galle Face Green Development Project this evening on 15th April. A large crowd was at the Green with the dawn of the New Year and the President visited the […]



President Rajapaksa participates Aluth Avurudu Oil Anointing Ceremony

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix by: Nalin Hewapathirana) The National Festival of Aluth Avurudu Oil Anointing Ceremony was held at historic Tissamaharama Raja Maha Viharaya under the patronage of the President Mahinda Rajapaksa this morning on 15th April at 10.06. Chief Incumbent of the temple, Dr. Ven. Devalegama Dhammasena Mahanayaka Thera anointed traditional […]



Aluth Avurudu Sirith at Medamulana

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix By: Nalin Hewapathirana) When the whole country celebrates Sinhala and Tamil New Year in a peaceful environment after eliminating three decades of terrorism, President Mahinda Rajapaksa also observed the “Sinhala Aluth Avurudu Sirith” at Carlton House in Medamulana, Weerakatiya. Locals in hundreds from the President Rajapaksa’s home town, […]



President Rajapaksa and his family celebrate Sinhala and Tamil New Year at Carlton House

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma – (Pix by: Sudath Silva) President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family celebrated the Sinhala and Tamil New year rituals at Carlton Residence in Tangalle, Hambantota. First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa conducted all rituals at the auspicious time with the President Rajapaksa. President Rajapaksa’s elder son Namal Rajapaksa, newly elected MP […]



New Year should further unite people in heart and mind – President

This is the first New Year being celebrated in harmony and contentment since the Motherland was unified, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a Sinhala and Hindu New Year message. The President also said: “It is my belief that these New Year festivities should seek to further unite our people in heart and mind. The New […]



President Rajapaksa inspects the proposed International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix by: Chandana Perera) President Mahinda Rajapaksa along with his elder son and the Chairman of the Tharunyata Hetak movement Mr Namal Rajapaksa inspected the construction of the proposed International Cricket Stadium in Sooriyawewa at Hambantota district in the early hours of 09th April. […]



“Have you voted for my party?” President Rajapaksa asks his countrymen

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix by: Chandana Perera) President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen here having casual chats at many informal stops in towns of Kirama, Katuwana, Walasmulla, Modarawana, Beliatte, Galagama and Ranna in the Hambantota district Southern Province of Sri Lanka. He visited those towns, some are still rural villages after casting his […]



Discussion of selecting the new cabinet is underway

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma – (Pix by: Sudath Silva) As the people of Sri Lanka have given an overwhelming victory in the General Election –April 2010 for the 7th parliament, the jubilant President Mahinda Rajapaksa has already started consultations with trusted top bureaucrats of his government on selection of the new cabinet. According […]



UPFA creates history; Secures near two-thirds majority; Death blow to JVP;

The United Peoples’ Freedom Alliance created history by winning a huge majority close to almost two-thirds in the 14th Parliament of Sri Lanka at the General election held Thursday. Under the proportional representation system combined with preferential voting and a system of bonus seats for the winner at district level the two-thirds barrier was conceived […]



Sri Lanka ruling party leading in parliament vote

COLOMBO (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s ruling party is running well ahead of the fractured opposition, early results showed Friday, in a vote marked by record low turnout and reports of violence and voter intimidation. President Mahinda Rajapakse’s United People’s Freedom Alliance was leading in 21 out of 28 polling divisions declared so far following Thursday’s […]



President Rajapaksa casts his vote at Medamulana D.A.Rajapaksa Vidyalaya

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix by: Chandana Perera) President Mahinda Rajapaksa cast his vote early this morning at the D.A. Rajapaksa Maha Vidayalaya in Medamulana, his home town of Hambantota. The President was accompanied with his elder brother Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, his elder son Namal Rajapaksa and the First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa. Voting […]