Daily NEWS Srilanka

Two United National Party members of the Mirigama Pradeshiya Sabha have met the President and joined the Freedom Alliance to consolidate its victory. Thilak Ashoka and Sanath Ranasinghe, United National Partu members of the Mirigama Pradeshiya Sabha met President Rajapaksa at Temple Trees this morning as gave an assurance to dedicate themselves to consolidate the victory of the United People’s Freedom Alliance in the Western Provincial...

President Raapaksa has said that laws and regulations of a country should be crafted to facilitate the day to day activities of the people and not to hinder them.The President made this observation at a ceremony held in Moratuwa. It was organized in respect of the opening of the three storeyed building of the Moratuwa Municipal Council reconstructed at a cost of 30 million rupees. The President thereafter declared open the Moratuwa...

In the meantime, despite the heavy load of work, President Rajapaksa stepped into the Tower Hall Theatre in Maradana this morning to view a significant drama.The State Drama Festival is now in progress at the Tower Hall Theatre in Maradana. “Weerayo Maranna Be” was a special drama that was staged this morning as an invited drama of the State Drama Festival. The significance of this drama is that all the artistes acting in this...

More than two million 560 thousand had visited the Deyata Kirula National Exhibition up to midnight yesterday. The number of visitors yesterday alone stood at nearly 626 thousand. These statistics were disclosed by Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya at a news briefing held at the Deyata Kirula Exhibition grounds this afternoon. The Minister said that there had been 625,960 visitors from morning until midnight yesterday. It is also...

Officials of the Consumer Affairs Authority have raided an establishment which was engaged in the production of food unsuitable for human consumption. Officials of the Consumer Affairs Authority took into custody 5000 kilograms of Chillie powder and 3000 kilograms of saffron powder unsuitable for human consumption and also 2000 kilograms of old bread crumbs. Officials who were involved in the raid said that its total value exceeded...

The Health Ministry has pointed out that a decision will be taken after a meeting of the Food Advisory Committee on the permission sought by a milk powder importing company to destroy 130 metric tons of milk powder. This stock of milk powder had been imported before July 2013 as small stocks. It was also in July that tests were launched to determine whether these stocks contained DCD. A Ministerial Sub Committee was appointed...

The Ven. Dr. Itthademaliye Pagnarathana Thera has said that there are no signs of a suitable person in the near future, other than the incumbent Head of State who can take over the leadership of the country. The prelate recalling the past said that many expected that the President and the state machinery would face devastation. Many are thinking of a common candidate, no one can ever think of a present leadership in the foreseeable...

Air Marshal Kolitha Aravinda Gunatilake has assumed duties as the 14th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force.Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrema yesterday officially handed over the duties to the New Air Force Commander. The new Air Force Chief was presented with the Commander’s official sword at this event held at the Air Force Headquarters. A march past was held in honour of the Former Air Force Chief.Air Marshal Kolitha Aravinda...

No one can forget the massive destruction unleashed by the blood thirsty terrorists, whose task was to destroy lives throughout 30 years. The heroic soldiers amazed the world routing the tiger terrorists who terrorized the international community, and bringing permanent peace to the country. The destruction unleashed by the terrorists and the humanity displayed by the war heroes, were revealed to the world. This feature contains...

Umar Akmal hit a fighting hundred to help Pakistan overcome early wobbles against Afghanistan to win their crucial Asia Cup match by 72 runs in Dhaka. Pakistan owed their recovery to Akmal’s 89-ball 102 not out, which lifted them from a precarious 117-6 to 248-8 in 50 overs before they wrapped up their rivals for 176 in 47.2 overs.Afghanistan, playing their inaugural match in the five-nation tournament, impressed despite the defeat...

Andy Murray rallied from a set and a break down against Gilles Simon to advance to his first semi-final since he won last year’s Wimbledon title while top seed David Ferrer retired with a thigh strain at the Acapulco International.Second seed Murray twice fell behind in the second set but recovered both breaks immediately to eke out a 1-6 7-6 6-2 victory and stretch a winning streak against his French opponent to 12 matches. Murray’s...

Awful Nice is an upcoming comedy film directed by Todd sklar and the movie stars James Pumphrey and Alex Rennie.Follows estranged brothers, who are forced to travel to Branson together to renovate and flip the lake house they’ve inherited from their just-deceased father.The movie will be released worldwide on the 7th of next mon...

The Hindu festival of Maha Shivratri (Great Night of Lord Shiva), dedicated to worship God Shiva, is celebrated today. Maha Shivratri is observed on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha every year on the month of Maagh according to the Hindu calendar. Women observe fast and offer prayers both to Lord Shiva and Parvati to seek a blissful married life.In a message to mark the occasion, President Rajapaksa said that Hindus...

President Rajapaksa has emphasized that the Government will fulfil to the maximum every responsibility on behalf of the people. He said that the main aim of the Mahinda Chinthana is to impart everything to all, the privileges enjoyed by a few.The President was speaking after opening the water supply scheme in the Mulleriyawa area in Kotikawatte. The Scheme will meet the water needs of more than 150 thousand people. The expenditure...

UK Conservative party member Lord Naseby says that those who appeared in the Channel-4 documentary are paid LTTE members.Lord Naseby stated this yesterday during a debate on Sri Lanka held in British Parliament.Lord Naseby asserted that conclusive evidence had emerged that so-called witnesses to alleged war crimes in a documentary by Channel 4 were “fully paid-up members of the Tamil Tigers”.During the debate, Lord Naseby referred...

The Indian Supreme Court today halted the Tamil Nadu Government from releasing four of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s killers who are serving life terms.The Indian Supreme Court gave this ruling after considering a petition submitted by the Central Government. The Supreme Court recently commuted the death sentences imposed on these convicts to life sentences.The Supreme Court last week stopped the state from freeing three...

The Automated Finger Print System to identify criminals was introduced at the Deyata Kirula National Exhibition premises today.The introduction of the Automated Finger Print System to get instant finger prints of criminals took place at the Deyata Kirula Exhibition Grounds today under the patronage of Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa. Finger prints of leading criminals in the country had...

Today is the seventh day of the Deyata Kirula National Development Exhibition which is in progress in Kuliyapitiya. The Exhibition was declared open last Friday.Massive crowds descended on the Exhibition grounds today as it was a public holiday. The Exhibition is being held centering on the Kuliyapitiya Central College, the Wayamba University and the Technical College. The Exhibition grounds spans 160 acres. Today is the Media...

The Independent Television Network is again honoured with the people’s Award. ITN succeeded in winning four Awards at the People’s Awards Festival which was held last night.The SLIM Nielson People’s Awards Gala was held at the Water’s Edge in Battaramulla last night.The Festival was held under the patronage of Chairman of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing Gamika de Silva, while the Guest of Honour was Rohan Somawansa. ITN glittered...

The ruthless activities of the tiger terrorists who killed an unknown number during the dark era are being reminisced to educate the people on the deceitful methods of those who are supporting terrorism.If the brave soldiers did not enthrone peace in the country by making supreme sacrifices, no one could have prevented the entire motherland being converted into a battlefield.On the night of 27th February 1989, the tiger terrorists...

Fresh from a team win at the Olympics, champion Severin Freund won the World Cup ski jump competition in Falun, Sweden.There was a high level of competition, with three new hill records. Freund set two of them on his way to victory, scoring a total of 266.1 points, a lead of 15.9 points over Peter Prevc who took second place. Freund now lies in fourth position overall, 79 points behind third place. Jumps of 125.5m and 133.5m saw...

Hairbrained is an upcoming comedy film directed by Billy Kent and the movie stars Brendan Fraser, Alex Wolff and Julia Garner.After being rejected from Harvard University, 14-year old genius and outcast Eli Pettifog finds himself at Whittman College, an Ivy League wannabe. Eli meets 41-year-old freshman Leo Searly, a gambler whose world has imploded and has dropped out of life to enroll in college. The odd duo becomes unlikely...

The President observes the construction of the stretch of the Sri Jayawardenepura Colombo highway with the Polduwa new bridge. Immediate action was initiated to open with immediate effect for traffic the stretch of which construction was completed.President Rajapaksa observed the stretch constructed from the Parliamentary Roundabout towards Colombo along the Sri Jayawardenapura-Colombo highway. Thereafter he gave instructions...

In the meantime, several programmes were held at Temple Trees this morning under the patronage of President Rajapaksa.Air Force Commander Air Marshal Harsha Abeywickrema who is due to end his term of office called on President Rajapaksa. The President who had a cordial discussion with him also presented him with a memento.Deputy Minister Mohanlal Grero has been appointed as the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Co-Organizer of the Ratmalana...

A British national responds to fabricated allegations made by the international community on Britain. Richard Mundy returns to Sri Lanka after making clarifications to Britain which had been deceived.Everyone’s attention has been drawn to a British national who has come forward on behalf of Sri Lanka when traitors in the island are making various allegations against the country in the presence of the international community. He...

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has said that the Government will not demobilize the Army or reduce military presence in the Northern Province under any circumstances.Responding to Western calls for a smaller army in the wake of the LTTE’s battlefield defeat, the Defence Secretary said that the Government will not reduce the military in the North to appease Western powers threatening to haul Sri Lanka up before an international...

Minister S.B. Dissanayake has said that tiger loyalists in the world were calling for an inquiry during the final stages of the war disregarding the massive destruction unleashed by the terrorists.The Minister said it is pathetic to note that certain groups in the Opposition were supporting such conspiracies against the country.The Minister was addressing a media conference held at the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Head Office today.The...

Northwestern Chief Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara has said that the Opposition was going against the Government by encouraging international forces against the country.He called on the Opposition to make a public statement on the brutality of tiger terrorism, if it was not loyal to the LTTE. The Northwestern Chief Minister made this challenge at a news conference at the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Head Office.VCRDayasiri Jayasekara...

The Police will launch the automated finger print system to identify criminals tomorrow. This will provide an opportunity to secure reports on finger prints within about three minutes. Hitherto it took 14 days to secure such reports.This special automated machine will be unveiled by the Defence Secretary at the Deyata Kirula Exhibition tomorrow.Expressing views to the media on this special automated finger print machine, Police...

An honorary consulate of Sri Lanka has been opened in Kerala. The new consulate was opened by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in Thiruvananthapuram today. It will be a new beginning to boost businesses between Kerala and Sri Lanka.Tourism is one business that will get a major boost both in Kerala and Sri Lanka as people from both these places do travel up and down. Another important gain would be for the business community as there...

Sri Lanka is providing health facilities to children of Uganda further strengthening ties between the two countries.As a result of talks held between the Presidents of Uganda and Sri Lanka in Uganda, agreement was reached to provide free medical treatment to children who do not enjoy facilities to receive treatment in their countries.A special Medical Camp was held following the mediation of First Lady Shiranthi Wickremasinghe...

The entire country was embroiled in a fear psychosis due to the ruthless activities of the terrorists. They unleashed massive destruction in the country taking away an inestimable number of lives which no one can forget.If the conflict was not ended by the Commander in Chief with the support of the war heroes, the country would have been stained with more blood. This report is a fitting report to recall the human rights violations...

The occasion when Viharamahadevi Park or Victoria Park which was built during the colonial period and its environs were nationalised yesterday (Feb 19). Seen below is a collection of photos of the occasion. 30 photos from HERE...

20 million robbery in shop in Negombo An incident was reported day-before-yesterday (Feb 17) where local and foreign cash amounting to the value of 20 million was robbed from a well-known money exchanger and jewellery shop named Jewel Lanka in the town of Negombo. Scenes of the moment when a weapon was shown to the cashier of the establishment...

President Rajapaksa declares open the five-storeyed primary school building complex of the Defence Service College.The Defence Service College was launched in the year 2007 on the instructions of President Rajapaksa and the guidance of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa with the aim of overcoming the difficulties and obstacles encountered in admitting children of members of the Armed Forces and the Police to popular schools.The...

Monks of the Amarapura Siri Saddhammawansa Maha Nikaya are barred from participating in demonstrations, meetings, unnecessary brawls with the Police and in active politics.The Ven. Balapitiye Seevali Thera, Secretary of the Amarapura Siridhammawanshika Maha Nikaya revealed to the media the decisions taken by the Maha Nikaya of the Maha Sangha Sabha including the Mahanayake the Ven. Siriseela Visuddhi Thera.There are 463 Vihares...

The Media Secretary of the Democratic Party have resigned protesting against the actions of Sarath Fonseka. The Media Secretary Sanjeeva Samarasinghe summoned a news conference in Colombo today.Mr. Samarasinghe said that he had decided to resign as the Media Secretary of the Democratic Party, giving up all the responsibilities he held within the Party and also returning to politics. He said the leader of the Democratic Party...

The Sri Lankan Government has rejected the call by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva issuing a statement has emphasized this is a direct interference in the national issues of a sovereign country.The UN Human Rights Commissioner Navanetham Pillay in a draft report has said that there should be an international inquiry mechanism to further investigate the alleged...

The Tamil Nadu Government which decided to free the killers of Rajiv Gandhi undermining the Indian law should be dissolved.This has been emphasized by Dr. Subramaniam Swamy, a Senior Leader of the Bharathiya Janatha Party.Dr. Swamy was expressing views to the Thinamalar newspaper published in India. He said it is pathetic to note that a person who does not understand that it is illegal to support terrorism serving as the Chief...

The Deyata Kirula National Development Exhibition has been extended for another two days. This was announced by Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya at a media conference held at the Deyata Kirula Exhibition grounds.The Minister said that they have decided to extend the Exhibition by two days. The Exhibition was due to end on the 27th of this month. But they have decided to extend the Exhibition for two more days and the 2014 Deyata...

Farmers in the Matale District are receiving benefits under the programme of providing pensions to farmers.Measures had been taken to grant pension benefits to the farmer community in the Matale District under the countrywide programme of providing pensions to farmers. The handing over of pensions to 3438 farmers at the Tourist Hotel auditorium in Matale took place under the patronage of Project Minister S.M. Chandrasena.Deputy...

The country which suffered severe setbacks as a result of terrorism that was fast spreading like a pestilence was routed from the Nanthikadal Lagoon enthroning peace by the Commander in Chief and the brave soldiers. The terrorists plagued the country for 30 years.The gruesome killings committed by these barbaric terrorists are being reminisced in this feature.On 25th February 1986, the tiger terrorists who took away the life...

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, starring Oscar-nominee Jennifer Lawrence, has eclipsed Iron Man 3 to become the highest-grossing film released at the US box office in 2013. Lionsgate Entertainment announced that the movie has grossed $ 423.6 million to date in the US, now stepping into the top 10 highest-grossing films of all time domestically. It enjoys a worldwide box office total of $ 838.2 million after seven weeks in theatres....

Roger Federer showed off his winning pedigree at the Dubai Tennis Championships in a 6—1, 6-4 first-round rout of Benjamin Becker, which took just 62 minutes.The fourth-seeded Swiss was impeccable in his destruction of the German as Federer won his 38th match at the Emirate where he maintains a training base. He improved to 4-0 over Becker, the ATP number 93, in a win that included a crowd-pleasing, between-the-legs return. The...

The President has pointed out that the responsibility of the parents should be to direct more attention on the children guiding them towards the correct path. President Rajapaksa emphasized that a generation with proper awareness of society which loves the country can be groomed by providing a proper education. He said it is the obligation of the parents to draw their attention towards their children. The President was speaking...

The Indian Central Government has reiterated that the decision taken by the Tamil Nadu Government to free the killers of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi based on elections, politics and compassion is unreasonable.Indian Central Government Minister G.K. Vasan has pointed out that the decision taken by the Tamil Nadu Government to release the seven convicts of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case is against the opinion of the...

Details have surfaced on a racket of smuggling gold to India via the Sri Lankan sea belt.Information on this racket surfaced during an interrogation of two suspects arrested at the Pamban Railway Station at Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu. The Indian Police took into custody 108 gold biscuits weighing 35 kilograms from the possession of these suspects. Its value exceeds over 300 million Lankan rupees. Tamil Nadu Additional Police Commissioner...

Several UNP stalwarts of the Western and Southern Province have joined the Freedom Alliance supporting the Government’s efforts to build the country.This group secured membership of the Freedom Alliance at a meeting held in Mirigama under the patronage of Minister Basil Rajapaksa to consolidate the victory of the Alliance candidates contesting the polls for the Western Provincial Councils. Among them were more than 200 active...

Applications will be accepted until the 21st of this month from the differently abled persons to secure transport facilities to cast their votes in the Provincial Council polls.Additional Elections Commissioner R.M.L. Ratnayake said that they have already commenced the acceptance of applications from differently abled persons to cast their votes at the forthcoming Western and Southern Provincial Council polls. These applications...

Minister Keheliya Rambukwella is on a tour of Latin American countries with the purpose of consolidating bilateral ties.The Minister left the island last night embarking on a tour of Latin American countries.The Minister, as a special representative of the President, is slated to have talks with leaders and Foreign Ministers of the Latin American countries.Reports say that the aim of these discussions will be to further strengthen...

Deputy Minister Weerakumara Dissanayake has said that the presentation of Shilpa 2014 prizes organized by the Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small Entrepreneurship Development will take place at the BMICH tomorrow.The Deputy Minister revealed this at a news conference held at the Information Department auditorium presided by Minister Douglas Devananda. Revelations were also made on the development projects chalked out...

The Bangla Desh team which exhausted themselves in the face of a vigorous batting explosion from Kumar Sangakkara who scored a classic triple century (319) had collected 86 for the loss of 1 wicket for the first innings at close of play on the second day of the second Test played with Sri Lanka. As such, Bangla Desh is 501 runs behind Sri...

Artistes visit Temple Trees There was a friendly meeting this afternoon (Feb 19) between the Hon. President and artistes.A large number of actors - actors, male - female singers, film directors as well as those representing the field of Arts together with several Ministers attended the occasion.Collection of photos from HERE...

10 years for Facebook .... a message from Mark Shukeberg .... with new features The strongest social website in the whole world, the Facebook celebrated its 10th anniversary on February 4th this year. On behalf of this occasion, creators of the Facebook have taken steps to introduce several alluring features to the Facebook.One such feature...

A small child aged two and a half in Anuradhapura District who had tried to imitate combat-scenes in the tele-hero story 'Legend of the Seeker' which is broadcast in Sinhala under the caption True Research over ITN channel had received serious injuries and has been warded in hospital. The child is now in a critical condition. Three small...

“Stalingrad” is a 2013 Russian war drama film directed by Fedor Bondarchuk. This is the first Russian movie completely produced with IMAX 3D technology. At the same time, this project is the first Russian and non-American film produced using the IMAX format.The film was selected as the Russian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 86th Academy Awards. The film is about The Battle of Stalingrad, a major battle of World...

Russia closed the costliest Olympics ever yesterday night with a visually stunning finale that handed off a smooth but politically charged Winter Games to their next host, Pyeongchang in South Korea.The games’ next stop, South Korea, was represented by singing children as the nation’s flag was raised. But perhaps the most memorable part, the games’ polar bear mascot, standing tall, shed a fake tear as he blew out a cauldron of...

Rafael Nadal returned from a troublesome back injury to win the Rio Open, defeating Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine. The world number one’s victory comes four weeks after he lost the Australian Open final to Stanislas Wawrinka having tweaked his back while warming up.The Spaniard, who survived two match points in the semi-final against Pablo Andujar, never looked under threat. It was Nadal’s 43rd clay title and stretches his record...

Parents have realized the value of education irrespective of race, religion or other differences. The President says that this is an encouragement for the Government which is providing equal educational opportunities for all the children in the country.President Mahinda Rajapaksa mentioned this while addressing a ceremony at Zahira National School in Puttalam. The students warmly welcomed the President when he arrived at the...

The present Government has achieved true freedom for the country and implemented the biggest development process in the history. The Government never neglected peoples need due to political objectives. The President emphasized this in Norochcholei.President Mahinda Rajapaksa vested in public this morning the Palavi – Kalpitiya road which was broadened and developed to coincide with the Deyata Kirula National Development Programme....

The Sri Lanka tour of Afghan President has been postponed due to the death of twenty soldiers in a Taliban attack.Afghan President Hameed Karzai was scheduled to arrive in the country this afternoon on a three day official visit. President Karzai has decided to postpone his Sri Lanka tour after hearing that the Taliban terrorist attack killed twenty soldiers. This has been reported over several international med...

Everyone should condemn the actions of Tamil National Alliance and Northern Chief Minister Vigneshwaran. He became the Chief Minister due to the sacrifices made by the heroic soldiers and the efforts of the Government. His support to the attempt of Jayalalitha to release the killers of Rajive Ghandhi, was strongly condemned at the Alliance media briefing.Minister Patalie Champika said that Cheif Minister Vigneshwaran has said...

The Maha Sangha and intellectuals are appreciating the support of the President to protect future generations by eradicating drug menace.President Mahinda Rajapaksa recently directed all stakeholders to commit themselves to eradicating the drug menace to mould a healthy future generation with sound moral values. At present the national programme on eradication of the drug use and tobacco, is being implemented successfully. Steps...

No one can forget the ruthless murders committed by the brutal LTTE terrorists daily to quench their thirst for blood. These terrorists violated human rights flagrantly.This feature clearly depicts the brutality unleashed by the terrorists on 23rd February during the dark period.The LTTE terrorists took away the life of a soldier in Ampara on the 23rd of February 1993. They displayed their brutality to the world by inhumanly...

The President joins the people in viewing the Deyata Kirula National Development Exhibition which displays the country’s pride. People from all walks of life are descending on Kuliyapitiya from every corner of the country to view the Deyata Kirula National Development Exhibition which was declared open by the President yesterday. The public are coming in droves to see the Exhibition. President Rajapaksa also arrived at the Deyata...

Several development projects launched in the Northwestern Province parallel to the Deyata Kirula National Development Programme have been vested in the people under the patronage of the President.President Rajapaksa who arrived in the Panduwasnuwara town declared open the new bus stand and shopping complex. The shopping complex has three floors. The expenditure incurred on this project was 80 million rupees. A group including...