Tourists taunted during Maldives ‘wedding ceremony’

(WARNING: Contains strong and abusive language.) COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – The Maldives expressed “shock and disgust” yesterday after a video surfaced of a Swiss couple being mocked and insulted by a celebrant during their marriage ceremony at a luxury hotel. In the video, posted on YouTube several days ago, a couple can be seen seated […]



Babul Beeda seized

The Aduruppu Street Police yesterday seized two separate hauls of the illegal drug Babul Beeda worth of Rs 2 million and arrested two suspects. The Police acting on a tip off arrested one person at the Gaspaha junction and found Babul Beeda and a mixture of cannabis powder and tobacco powder that were used to […]



Check point removal begins

All check points in Colombo city limits would be removed from today and will be replaced by an alternative surveillance system to ensure city security, Military Spokesman Major General Ubaya Medawala said. As of today checkpoints in Bambalapitiya and Wellawatte have been removed and other points will be removed gradually. […]



President appeals for Rizana

The Sri Lankan president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, has asked the King of Saudi Arabia to revoke the death sentence imposed on a Sri Lankan maid. Rizana Nafeek was convicted three years ago of killing a baby in her care. President Rajapaksa’s office says he has written to King Abdullah on behalf of the maid, who was […]



Year after death, LTTE chief’s case closed

CHENNAI: The LTTE supremo, Velupillai Prabhakaran, is no more the prime accused in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. In the first official acknowledgment by India of the LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran’s death, a designated court for Tada cases in Chennai has dropped all charges against him, on the basis of a CBI report. “The case […]



All rice in market fit for human consumption: Health Ministry

Almost one hundred per cent of the rice available for sale in the market is fit for human consumption, said the Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Health. I response to allegations from certain quarters that most of the rice in the open market was not fit for human consumption, officials had inspected stocks of […]



J’pura hostel sub-warden assaulted

The sub warden of the Sri Jayawardenapura university hostel for Buddhist monk students has been admitted to the Kalubowila hospital after he was assaulted by a group of students. He was allegedly attacked by a group of Buddhist monk students of the hostel. Vice Chancellor of the Sri Jayawardenapura University, Dr. N. L. A. Karunaratne […]



Provide 24 hour OPD services – President directs health authorities; A move for a Patient friendly health service

The President Sunday directed the Secretary, Health Ministry to initiate a system to keep all Out Patient Departments (OPD) in the Hospitals open to the public, 24 hours. The Hospitals in Sri Lanka offer health care services to people free of charge and as a result the OPD’s are always over crowded and the patients […]



Manju tested positive, may lose gold

Sri Lanka suffered a major humiliation as Commonwealth Games bantam weight boxing champion, Manju Wanniarachchi has been tested positive for banned steroid, nandrolone and is on the verge of losing the country’s first gold medal in 72 years. According to highly placed sources his ‘A’ sample contained 19-Norandrosterone, a prohibited anabolic under category S1 from […]



Fire at Norochchole

A sudden fire has broken out at the Norochchole Thermal Power Plant in Kalpitiya today morning. According to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Chairman, Vidya Amarapala the fire has irrupted due to the clogging up of a chimney that emits waste from the combustion of coal. […]



BLACK COLOUR BEST SUITED FOR NATIONAL DRESS, SAYS FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE

October 21, 2010: Former chief justice Sarath N. Silva says that in an era where human rights are fast disappearing, it is most appropriate to wear the national dress in black colour. The former chief justice expressed these views addressing a function in Anuradhapura today to felicitate Attorney at Law Karunaratne Herath for the service […]



Defence budget is high since we are still paying for war supplies: Keheliya

Certain organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are waging a relentless campaign to tarnish the name of Sri Lanka globally. That is why at least three organizations have again carried pictures of so called atrocities by the Sri Lanka Army, said Mass Media and Information Minister Keheliya Rambukwella this morning (Oct. 21). Sri Lanka has clearly […]



UN panel of experts call for submissions

The UN panel of experts advising the Secretary General on alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law during the final stages of the conflict in Sri Lanka has called for written submissions. Those who wish to make submissions may make one written submission not exceeding ten pages. It must include the contact details […]



Undergrads attack Ruhuna VC; Vice Chancellor receives outdoor treatment: Senior Student Advisor also assaulted:

Ruhuna University Vice Chancellor Prof Susirith Mendis was attacked by a group of undergraduates when he went to settle a clash between two student groups of the Humanities Faculty yesterday morning. The Vice Chancellor who received injuries obtained outdoor treatment from the Matara General Hospital, said a spokesman for the Hospital Police Post. […]



Minister G L Peiris Refutes LTTE Propaganda in London

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma Delivering the Keynote Address of the first Dialogue between the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) in London and the Ministry of External Affairs of Sri Lanka, the External Affairs Minister Professor G.L Peiris said that it is regrettable that groups close to the LTTE, knowing very well that […]



Fonseka’s petition up for debate today

The Court of Appeal has decided to debate the petition filed by imprisoned former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka today. The petition challenges the verdict of the 2nd Court Martial against him. […]