With President’s second term inauguration: Project bonanza for people

The Economic Development Ministry will vest with the people 54,600 completed development projects during the next 10 days (November 15-25), which would bring direct benefits to the masses. The projects would be one among many initiatives in connection with the inauguration of President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s second term in office to supplement the Government’s development goals […]



President Rajapaksa inaugurates new swimming pool at Jayawardenapura University

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix by: Sudath Silva) President Mahinda Rajapaksa inaugurated the new swimming pool constructed on the Sri Jayawardenapura University premises today on 15 November. The project costs Rs.85 million and Tharunyata Hetak Organisation and D.A. Rajapaksa Memorial, Education and Cultural Fund have granted funds for it. Pictures are seen here […]



SPECIAL 3-DAY TRAFFIC PLAN IN COLOMBO

November 16, 2010: A special traffic plan will be implemented in Colombo for three days, beginning today, says police headquarters. According to police spokesperson SP Prishantha Jayakody, this traffic plan will be in effect from 9.30 am to 1.30pm. […]



Shavendra Silva tells Trial-at-Bar: Not a single civilian killed

News Courtesy: Daily News – By Sarath Malalasekera Not a single LTTE cadre or civilian was killed during the Vanni humanitarian operation. The Army received them as Sri Lankan citizens, Major General Shavendra Silva said giving evidence before the Trial-at-Bar hearing Sarath Fonseka’s white flag issue yesterday. Some of the injured persons who surrendered were […]



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 […]



LANKAN BOXER MANJU WANNIARACHCHI FAILS IN B SAMPLE TEST

November 14, 2010: Manju Wanniarachchi, the Sri Lankan boxer alleged to have taken nandrolone, the banned performance enhancing drug at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, has failed in the B Sample test. Dr. Geethanjana Mendis, chief of the Sports Medical Unit, confirmed this to Newsfirst a little while ago. […]



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. […]



Myanmar’s Suu Kyi, newly free, calls for talks

YANGON, Myanmar – Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, freed from seven years of house arrest, told thousands of wildly cheering supporters Sunday that she would continue to fight for human rights and the rule of law in the military-controlled nation. She called for face-to-face talks with the junta’s leader. She spoke to about […]



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 […]



Colombo inundated, use public transport

The following areas are flooded and Police have asked the people to use public transport as far as possible to go through these areas. […]