President Rajapaksa joins the National Oil Anointing Ceremony

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix by: Nalin Hewapathirana) The national oil anointing ceremony of the traditional Sinhala and Hindu New Year festival was held in Matara under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Uposathagaraya Maha Vihara Sri Rohana Temple of Randoopatha (Golden Island) this morning on 16 April. […]



Those late from IPL’would be replaced’says minister

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage warned that Sri Lankan cricketers who do not return from Indian Premier League (IPL) 2011 tournament before the 5th of May would be replaced. Cricketers from Sri Lanka taking part in the IPL have been asked to come to Colombo by the 5th of May by minister Aluthgamage. […]



CJ defends verdict on military courts

BBC Sinhala Service – By Saroj Pathirana The Chief Justice (CJ) of Sri Lanka has strongly defended the recent Supreme Court verdict that ruled court martial is a competent court. The ruling has come under strong criticism from senior lawyers and the opposition political parties after it sealed the fate of the former army commander, […]



First family celebrates New Year

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix by: Sudath Silva) The entire country is gripped in a happy and festive mood. The most eagerly awaited National New Year dawned at 1.01 pm on 14 April. This is the second National New Year the whole country is celebrating in an environment of peace and tranquility since […]



President Mahinda Rajapaksa reach Top Ten in ‘TIME 100’ poll; leading among global political leaders

Becoming the very first Sri Lankan leader to be featured in TIME magazine’s TIME 100 Top Ten, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has reached much popularity leaving behind all other top political icons and celebrity stars in the world and some Hollywood superstars in 2011. […]




President Rajapaksa declares Sri Lanka standard time

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix by:Nalin Hewapathirana) President Mahinda Rajapaksa officially declared the standard time of Sri Lanka which can be obtained through the website www.sltime.org, the Department of Government Information announced today on 11 April.  The Standard time of Sri Lanka is to be announced at midnight today by the government, making […]



Jaffna University students meet President Rajapaksa

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix by: Sudath Silva) Students from the Ramanathan Academy of Fine Arts of Jaffna University enjoyed a very rare opportunity today on 11 April when they visited Colombo for an educational trip. It is the first time in their lifetime these students have visited southern part of Sri Lanka. […]



New Year shopping rush- Special visitor in the Mall

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix by:Nalin Hewapathirana) The traditional Sri Lankan New Year, the most widely celebrated festival in Sri Lanka falls on 14 April. New Year celebrations follow auspicious times calculated by astrology.  Every year Sri Lankans throughout the country rally together with great enthusiasm to celebrate Aluth Avurudu, the Sinhala & […]



LANKAN MONK INVITED TO THE ROYAL WEDDING

A Sri Lankan monk has been invited to the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Chief Incumbent of the London Buddhist Vihara, Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala Thera has thus been invited to grace the occasion. […]





Mendis to head Sri Lanka’s new selection committee

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Saturday appointed a new selection committee that will be headed by former skipper Duleep Mendis. Former Test players Brendon Kuruppu, Don Anurasiri and Ranjith Madurasinghe form the rest of the committee, sports ministry officials said here on Saturday. […]



Sharp drop in prices of rice and vegetables: Adequate stocks of essential food items for festive season

Adequate stocks of essential food items are freely available in the country for the festive season. A sharp drop in the prices of rice and vegetables was also reported due to the increased supplies sent to Dedicated Economic Centres (DECs) and the Colombo market from agricultural districts, said Cooperatives and Internal Trade Secretary Sunil Sirisena. […]



President Rajapaksa fetes best O/L students in the Island

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix by: Sudath Silva) The government of Sri Lanka recognized over 134 students who performed outstandingly at the highly competitive national exam- G.C.E. Ordinary Level examination in December 2010. These young talents, the country’s best students who scored highest marks received their medals, certificates and gift packs including a […]



President Rajapaksa launches royalty payment scheme for music artists

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma (Pix by: Sudath Silva) A royalty payment scheme for Sri Lankan music artists was launched by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees on 08 April. This much needed new royalty scheme will benefit lyricists, singers and song composers in Sri Lanka. The state run Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) […]