India hands over water harvesting project to Sri Lanka

India has handed over a water harvesting project here to Sri Lanka with a hope that it would popularise the process for recharging underground aquifers in the country. Officials of the Indian High Commission here handed over the project on Artificial Recharge of Ground Water Resources at the Export Processing Zone in Katunyake to Sri […]



“Conditions have changed and improved in Sri Lanka”, says British Minister Alistair Burt in the Parliament

“There is no doubt that conditions have changed in Sri Lanka and have improved to a degree after the conflict, but the issue is how far that goes,” Alistair Burt, The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs said in the British Parliament this afternoon on Tuesday 14 September 2010 at 2:30 PM.



PROTESTOR CLIMBS ATOP STEEL TOWER AT VIHARA MAHA DEVI PARK

News Courtesy: Sirasa TV September 14, 2010: An unidentified person has climbed a steel tower at the Vihara Maha Devi park opposite Horton Place roundabout demanding solutions for problems faced by the country’s youth. Newsfirst reporter at the scene said that the man is wearing a helmet and is covering his face. […]



Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization forum: Lanka emerging as telecom hub – President

Daily News – By Rasika Somarathna Sri Lanka today is among the most widely connected countries and societies in the Asian region. It is emerging as the telecom hub of the South Asian region, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday. Addressing the eighth annual Forum and the 50th Council Meeting of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization (CTO) […]



UNP in support of electoral system changes

News Courtesy: Ada Derana UNP Spokesman, Gayantha Karunathilakesays that the United National Party supports the proposed changes to the Local Government electoral system. He said that even though further clarification is needed the party in general agrees with government on the changes. The Galle District Parliamentarian in reply to a question by the media said […]



Ranil losing Opposition Leader’s post is a possibility: Dayasiri

News Courtesy: Ada Derana The United National Party (UNP) leadership is yet to respond to their ultimatum to sit as an independent group in the Opposition if the party fails to sort out internal issues. If no response is forthcoming the group will sit as an independent group when Parliament meets next, Dayasiri Jayasekera told […]



18th Constitutional Amendment has twelve objectives

TC – by Basil Rajapaksa (Following is an edited text of the speech made by Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, during the debate in Parliament on September 8, on the 18th Amendment to the Constitution) The 18th Constitutional Amendment has 12 objectives, the first of which is the removal of fetters against the people’s sovereignty. […]



President Rajapaksa participates multi-religious observances at Katharagama

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix by: Nalin Hewapathirana) President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited the sacred city of Kataragama and attended several religious ceremonies today on 10th September, the President Media Unit said. The President first worshipped at the Kiriwehera temple and joined a special ‘Bodhi Pooja pinkama’ held at the temple premises. After engaging […]



Prof J.B’s “Handbook of Simple Tamil” presented to President Rajapaksa

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix by: Nalin Hewapathirana) The first copy of the “Handbook of Simple Tamil” by Prof. J B Dissanayake being presented by the author to President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Wednesday 8th September at Temple Trees. Deshamanya Jayantha Banda Dissanayake (73) is an emeritus Professor and one of the leading authorities […]



Happy President

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma – (Pix by: Sudath Silva) The 18th Amendment to the Constitution which was presented before the Parliament for voting today on 8th September has been passed with a two-thirds majority. It was passed with 161 Parliamentarians voting for the reforms and 17 against. UNP, the main Opposition party members […]



Parliament has no right to get Amendments passed, says Ranil

News courtesy: Ada Derana Parliament has no right to get the 18th Amendment to the Constitution passed in Parliament, said United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe while marching with protestors towards Parliament from Siri Kotha in Kotte. Meanwhile, our correspondent says the protestors have been stopped at Bangalawa Junction in Kotte after protestors burnt […]



First Family donation: Cancer Institute gets ward complex

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday opened the two storied ward complex at the Maharagama Cancer Institute in memory of his mother Dandina Samarasinghe Dissanayake and First Lady’s mother Vilolet Wickremesingne. This project was funded by President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s family members and philanthropists. […]



Pabha and Shree Ranga support 18th Amendment

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix by: Sudath Silva) Gampaha District United National Party MP and actress Upeksha Swarnamali popularly known as ‘Pabha’ expressed her support to the government on the 18th Amendment to the constitution a short while ago. Meanwhile Nuwara Eliya District UNP MP and former journalist J. Shree Ranga and Kurunegala […]



Ranil seeks Indian help to revive agriculture

News Courtesy: The Hindu The Leader of the Opposition in Sri Lanka and former Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, sought India’s assistance in reviving agriculture and fisheries in the Vanni region, pointing out that “until the region returns to normalcy and commences food production and fisheries, Sri Lanka will continue to have problems.” “It will affect […]



This is second step to take country forward: Wimal

News courtesy: Ada Derana The Constitutional Amendments are in three stages. It is not wise to criticize them without looking at the whole process. What will be taken up on Wednesday is the second step to take the country forward, said Jathika Nidahas Peramuna (JNP) leader Minister Wimal Weerawansa. The JNP is fully supportive of […]



Lankan pilot killed in NZ crash

A Lankan born Queenstown skydive pilot, Chaminda Senadhira was killed along with eight other skydivers when their plane crashed in Fox Glacier in New Zealand. The plane crash is reported to be the worst in New Zealand aviation for almost 17 years. Originally from Sri Lanka Mr. Senadhira had moved to Germany when he was […]