RAMESWARAM: The Tamil Nadu fishermen breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday evening when they received news that the Sri Lankan government has ordered the release of all the Indian fishing boats.

Despite not being consulted with regards to the no-faith motion brought against Minister of Public Security, John Amaratunga, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) yesterday said the party approved of the move.

It cannot be a coincidence that immediately following the visits to the North by US and British officials that the Northern Provincial Council has passed a Resolution claiming genocide by Sri Lanka. What needs to be reiterated is that the common enemy of Sri Lanka and its people was the LTTE which was militarily vanquished by the Armed Forces in May 2009.

Five people were killed when a bus and a three wheeler collided in Udamalala, Hambantota. A small child is also among the victims.

Terming the resolution an ‘extremist position,’ Health Minister and Cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne said President Maithripala Sirisena had promised to initiate an internationally approved, domestic inquiry process into alleged war crimes committed by Sri Lankan Army and the LTTE.

It was just one month ago that Sri Lanka surprised the world by electing opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena as president, rejecting the authoritarianism, corruption and dynastic politics of the administration of the incumbent, Mahinda Rajapaksa. President Sirisena has moved swiftly to usher in a new chapter of hope for Sri Lanka.

Parliamentarian Tissa Attanayake released on bail by Fort Magistrate short while ago. Attanayake was remanded for his alleged involvement in creating forged documents.

UPFA MP Sarana Gunawardena was released on Rs.150,000 cash bail with a surety of Rs. 60 million by the Colombo Chief Magistrate today in the case where he had allegedly been involved in 107 frauds including Rs.36 million fraud while he was the National Lotteries Board Chairman.

UPFA Parliamentarian R. Duminda Silva is to be summoned to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today for further questioning on money laundering charges.

The Sri Lankan government is set to provide a pension scheme to its overseas workers, if the workers complete two years of foreign employment.

The Colombo District Court issued a permanent injunction preventing the producer and director of the film called “Susima” from producing, screening and taking any further steps whatever in connection with the film which purportedly depicts the life story of Sri Lankan sprint champion Susanthika Jayasinghe.

Samurdhi and Housing Minister, Sajith Premadasa, yesterday in Parliament requested the Minister of Defence to investigate two unofficial armouries allegedly being operated at Beliatta and Weeraketiya.

Statements have been recorded from SLFP General Secretary and former minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa by the CID over alleged forged document case of UNP’s former General Secrretary Tissa Attanayake.

Ninety-two Sri Lankan citizens hold a total of $58.3 million in 129 Swiss bank accounts, according to data released by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and leaked by an HSBC whistleblower.

Colombo Additional Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage today ordered former ITN News Director Sudarman Radaliyagoda to be remanded till February 24.

Police said 60 percent of 82 accounts of MP Duminda Silva has been investigated so far. SSP Ajith Rohana said MP Silva was questioned by the CID for over six hours this morning.