Daily NEWS Srilanka

Mahinda's new force to emerge via  flower 'bud' It is reported that for the forthcoming provincial council and local government elections a new party of an united  opposition would emerge with the symbol flower 'bud'. One of the staunch member of the united opposition party a Member of Parliament had said that all the spade work...

Identity  card office and the passport office to be shifted to new building at Battaramulla in March The department of Registration of persons and the department of Immigration and Emigration both are dealing with the identity of persons and come under a separate secretariat ministry. These two offices and the Intelligence services...

Prison Media Spokesman Thushara Upuldeniya says that the five suspects including Yoshitha Rajapaksa who were remanded on an order from the Kaduwela Magistrate, have been retained in a normal prison cell. The Prison Media Spokesman said that one of the suspects has been admitted to the Prison Hospital under the instruction of the Prison Docto...

Four suspects have been arrested for unruly behavior at the Homagama Magistrate Court when Venerable Galabodaathe Gnanasara Thera was being taken to the Remand Prison. Homagama Police have taken them into custody last evening. Venerable Golagodaathe Gnanasara Thera was accused of contempt of Court for his behavior when the case in connection with journalist Prade...

A suspect has been arrested with more than 20 kilograms of Heroin valuing 120 million rupees. Ambalangoda Police said this is the biggest haul of heroin seized in the Southern Province recently. The stock of heroin has been seized from a house at Mihindu Mawatha in Maa-dam-paa-gama, Ambalangoda. Police have also seized more than...

The rehearsals in connection with the 68th Independence Day of Sri Lanka was held today. The 68th Independence Day of Sri Lanka will be held under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe at Galle Face Green in Colombo. The rehearsals are being conducted these days. A special traffic plan ...

The religious ceremony to open the historic Sandagiri Seya which was conserved, for worship by the public took place under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena. Sandagiri Seya which belongs to Anuradhapura era was conserved by the Central Cultural Fund under Southern Tourism Project. The Ministry of Education has provided financial assistance for conservation wor...

Today is the World Leprosy Day. The history of the disease goes back to the 17th century. As Leprosy did not have proper medication those days, deformities occurred in the physical appearance of the patients. The only alternative to stop the spread of the disease was segregation of the patients from the society. Patients ...

The Dehiwala Police have found a gang who was stealing side mirrors of luxury vehicles. Police said they were able to find the suspects by watching CCTV camera footage following a complaint received by them. Police have arrested two suspects and a three wheeler used for the stealing. They have found a stock of si...

Gnanasara Thera who apeeared for another's case .... and shouted at the Judge ... arrested! Having appeared at a legal case not pertaining to him and at the end of the case had come forward from a corner and spoken in a defamatory manner to both Judge and lawyers, Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera of Bodu Bala Sena Organisation was ordered...

How the state-confiscated stock of ivory .... was destroyed at Galle Face A large stock of ivory which was intended to be transported on the sly and was taken into custody by the Sri Lankan Customs was destroyed today in public at Galle Face. The President and the Prime Minister too were present on that occasion. The Sri Lankan Customs...

Paba's second marriage .... a trap? The second marriage of former member of parliament and tele-actress Upeksha Swarnamali which had been fixed to be held at Colombo Kingsbury Hotel yesterday (24) has been postponed. She had been expecting to marry a businessman and had taken steps not to reveal his name until the eleventh hour. Upeksha...

Mahinda retorts to Yoshitha's arrest saying the famous "dog barking story" Today afternoon the second son of the former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, Yoshotha Rajapaksa was ordered to be arrested by the Kaduwela Magistrate.At that time the former president Mahinda Rajapaksa had arrived at the court premises .At that time he had been fuming...

Fonseka to parliament on 9th thereafter a cabinet portfolio It is reported from reliable government sources that the Leader of the democratic party Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka is to be sworn in front of the speaker Karu Jayasuriya on the 09th of February as a Member of Parliament from the UNP's national list. This vacancy had been created...

Gnanasara's chelas who played the devil at court premises .... by keeping neck under bus tyre .... when the thera was to be remanded An extensive dialogue has emerged over the behaviour of the pupils of Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera when he was subjected to police custody yesterday for having made statements contrary to the law saying...

President MaithripalaSirisena has insisted that there were no ‘war crimes allegations’ during the war in Sri Lanka. He argued that investigations have found only allegations of ‘human rights violations’. President Sirisena made this observation in an interview with the Qatar based Al Jazeera television network. Speaking to Al Jazeera’s Hoda Abdel-Hamid, the President said t...

  The “Janajeewa Karunajeewa” which contains the biography of Former Chairman of the Peoples’ Bank, Janajeewa Karunajeewa, a renowned professional as well as a humanist, has been launched. The launching took place under the patronage of President Maithripala Sirisena. JanajeewaKarunajeewa, who held several positions in a number of institutions including the People’s bank was ...

Several deaths have been reported in some parts of the country as a result of fatal accidents. An accident had occurred in the 15th post area along the Eppawala-Kekirawa main road in the wee hours of today. Two teachers of the NallamudawaVidyalaya in Eppawala died in this accident. A super luxury vehicle in which th...

The seeking of public views on Constitutional Reforms is now progressing successfully. Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith gave his views to the Committee seeking public views at the BMICH. Thereafter, the Archbishop expressed his views to the media. The Archbishop said that they expressed their views on the identity of the count...

  There is a high demand for Sri Lankan gems in the world. An exceptionally large gem stone belonging to the rare naturally radioactive Ekanite gem variety, has been found from the Welimada area. The newly discovered stone is over three times as large as the stone previously recorded as the largest Ekanite gem. Informati...

All arrangements are being finalized for the commemoration of Sri Lanka’s 68 National Independence Day. The Police Headquarters reported that a special traffic plan is operative today, tomorrow and on Tuesday in view of rehearsals. Movement of traffic is restricted from 5.00 am to 12 noon today, tomorrow and on Tuesday from Galle Road a...

Regrets Ranil's action in threatening the media - Mahinda The former president Mahinda Rajapaksa has regretted the action of the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe for threatening the media personnel in Parliament on the 29th instant. The former president had said this to the media personnel whom he had met when he visited the Presidential...

For the behaviour for Gnansara'a arrest two Bikkhus  arrested For the unruly behaviour near the Homagama court premises on the orders of the Homagama Magistrate  the Homagama police authorities have arrested two Bikkhus.They are Magalkande Sudantha and  Badalkumbure Ariyashantha theras. In this connection Magalkande Sudantha...

A near disaster that was to have occurred following the collision of two trains has been averted due to alert engine drivers, saving the lives of thousands of commuters. The services of four employees including the driver of the Kandy-Matara train have been suspended following the reckless operation of the train. A train which w...

The Ven. Muruttettuwe Ananda Thera has said that he does not consider as an error in the arrest of General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena, the Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera and also the apprehension of the suspects who behaved in an unruly manner in the Homagama Court premises. The prelate made these references joini...

The Buddhist Temporalities Amendment Bill has been presented in Parliament. Minister Lakshman Kiriella, the leader of the House presented the Bill to Parliament today. The Amendment Bill contains provision for the Commissioner General, the power to remove the Diyawadana Nilame during stipulated occasions and also to register all Buddhist Places of Worship and Devales. Al...

Minister Ravi Karunanayake summoning a media briefing today said that there is no truth in media reports that the price of canned fish has increased by 50 rupees. The Minister said that no change has taken place in the price of canned fish. He pointed out that there is no truth in the reports publish...

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived today at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges. Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived at the commission for the inquiry on the alleged default of payment of money to the ITN for the advertisements during 20...

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court has ordered a handwriting sample to be obtained from Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa’s wife Shashi Weerawansa, with regard to the inquiry on the alleged incident where she had obtained two passports submitting forged documents. Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris directed the samples to be obtained under prison custody in t...

Many Sri Lankans taking up jobs in the Middle East as well as in other countries have to face various difficulties. Those who had undergone such hindrances attributed this to fraud and malpractices committed by foreign job agencies. 55 Sri Lankans who left for Malaysia to serve in a garment factory two years ago ha...

China is willing to support in enhancing the efficiency of the State Printing Corporation. A Chinese delegation paid a visit to the Corporation. The Chinese Government has agreed to extend support for the activities of the State Printing Corporation as a result of the visit undertaken by Minister Gayantha Karunatilake to China last month. According...

Arrangements have been made to hold a Holy Mass in Latin on the 14th of next month. This was announced by Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith at a news conference held in Colombo. The Archbishop said that arrangements have been finalized to conduct the Latin Mass at St. Lucia’s Cathedral in Kotahen...

Prof. Rajeeva Wijesinghe has said that the Sri Lankan Government had not reached any consensus with respect to human rights and reconciliation during the past. He said that he clearly identified it during the Commonwealth Summit held in the year 2013. Prof. Rajeeva Wijesinghe said that what he saw was that Sri Lanka should ha...

Ensina in the ICU The character in the famous long Tele drama of "Ensina" was portrayed by the popular Tele dram actress Sushila Kuragala. It is reported that Ensina has been admitted to the Sri Jayewardenapura hospital in a critical condition  for an illness and is presently treated at the intensive care unit of the hospital. Ensina...

Police set to remove sand from ASP's swimming pool At a media briefing  which was organised by the owner of ASP group ASP Liyanage at his residence at the Peacock mansion in Rajagiriya he had revealed that there had been  no gold  and jewellery belonging to former president Mahinda Rajapaksa buried under the sand  when...

From Advanced Level average best Visakha, Devi Balika and Ratnavali According to analysis of  accomplished marks obtained in the GCE Advanced Level examination held last year they have found the schools in the island who had scored highest marks. In this analysis the department of examinations have revealed that Visakha Vidyalaya...

The manner Mahinda thinks of Perera's and Silva's (Friday's cartoon) ...

A bail application filed at the Homagama Magistrate’s Court for the General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena organization, the Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera, who was arrested and remanded for contempt of court, has been rejected. The Police said that an operation is now in place for the apprehension of the other suspects. T...

Minister Arjuna Ranatunge has sent a letter of Demand to President of Sri Lanka Cricket seeking a sum of 1000 million rupees. He had done so saying that Thilanga Sumathipala since being elected as President of Sri Lanka Cricket had made defamatory comments regarding him. Thilanga Sumathipala held a news conference on January 04 aft...

Former Chairman of Sri Lankan Airlines Nishantha Wickramasinghe appeared before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges today. The Commission said that Mr. Wickremesinghe was summoned to record a statement on the alleged financial irregularities at the SriLankan Airlin...

Sleuths of the Police Commission have visited Embilipitiya to undertake investigations with regard to the murder of a youth early this month. It is reported that the Police Commission officials recorded evidence from Shashika Nishamani Munasinghe, the wife of the youth. However, the Police Officers alleged to be involved in this incident have not y...

Cabinet nod has been received to increase the trade levy on a kilo of Mackerel –being imported for the production of canned fish — from 50 rupees to 100 rupees a kilo. The Cabinet approved the withdrawal of tax concessions granted to the import of Mackerel. It is mentioned that this decision had been tak...

The World Health Organization has warned that the Zika Virus which is contracted through mosquitoes may reach a pandemic situation. However, Health Officials claim that the spread of this virus in Sri Lanka remains at a very low level. It is reported that expectant mothers are vulnerable to contracting the Zika Virus. The child bo...

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to repair 1000 passenger buses of the Sri Lanka Transport Board. The purpose is to provide a more efficient and comfortable service to the public. The Sri Lanka Transport Board has planned to operate 6000 buses this year to extend a better transport service to the publi...

The Government has decided to hold this year’s State Wesak Festival at the historic Naigala Purana Raja Maha Vihare in Hambantota. An initial discussion on its organizational work was held under the guidance of the Minister of Buddha Sasana and Justice. The preliminary discussion with regard to the State Wesak Festival was held at t...

The United National Party has secured the position of Opposition Leader of the Uva Provincial Council. UNP’s R.M. Ratnayake is the Opposition Leader. The selection of an Opposition Leader for the Uva Provincial Council was a controversy for several months. However, R.M. Ratnayake was appointed as the Opposition Leader during a voting conducted in betwe...

Investigations on video are been carried out to identify the 37 including Bikkhus who played havoc at Homagama After the verdict was given to arrest Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara thera by the Honmagama magistrate group of people including  Bikkhus has assaulted police officers and done damage to property by behaving in an unruly manner....

Five including the OIC of Kotadeniyawa Police transferred  In connection with the murder of five year old Seya Sadewmi a schoolboy and a married person were taken in as suspects by the officials of the Kotadeniyawa police. The two were later released without any charges by the Minuwangoda magistrate. These two suspects were mercilessly...

Gnanasara Thera had fallen ill suddenly ,admitted to prison hospital On the  afternoon of the 27th instant  the prison officers had taken steps to transfer Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara  thera who was in the remand prison to the prison hospital. Higher officials of the prison had stated that owing to a sudden illness the...

Signs of vegetable prices coming down It is reported that large amounts of vegetables are been sent to the Dambulla economic trade centre. In this context very soon the prices of many vegetables would come down. It is reported that the prices of beet root, potatoes, carrots, capsicum chilies, onions, chilies, cabbage ,onions ,manioc...