Daily NEWS Srilanka

The President has emphatically mentioned that the nation is not prepared to betray the sovereignty of the motherland. He pointed out that Sri Lanka is now an independent country after ending the era of subjugation.The distribution of school gear among Grade One students of the Kalutara District under the “Diri Uda” programme was held at St. Mary’s College in Matugama this morning under the patronage of President Rajapaksa. This...

Secretary to the President has said in Washington that the role of the Indian Peacekeeping Force should be probed in Sri Lanka war crimes.President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga has pointed out that if an international investigation into war crimes allegedly committed in Lanka is to be fair, it has to be comprehensive. It should cover events since 1980, when terrorism raised its head in the island nation. He emphasized that such...

It is with great hesitation that a recount of another ruthless incident of the barbaric LTTE cadres which displayed their brutalism to the entire world is being reminisced.It was on 31 January 1996 that as the clock struck at 11.00 a.m. the entire City of Colombo vibrated. No one was able to determine or come to a conclusion as to what had happened. Thick smoke rose up to the skies along with the sound of grieving citizens. A...

A special ceremony was held at the Central Bank premises this morning in memory of those who were killed in the terrorist suicide attack on the Bank.The paying of floral tributes in memory of the victims was held at 10.34 this morning under the patronage of Central bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabral. Expressing his views on the occasion, the Central Bank Chief said that those who can still remember this merciless assault which...

The report of the census on human death and property damages during the three-decade long conflict would be released next month.The nationwide survey commenced in December last year was a key recommendation of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission. The Task Force appointed to implement the LLRC proposals recommended the conduct of a professionally designed household survey, covering all affected families in the island...

Minister Johnston Fernando has instructed the Sathosa Chairman to immediately examine all Lak Sathosa outlets.The Minister on his way to the Pitigala area in Elpitiya had stepped into the Lak Sathosa outlet there. The Minister found that the branch was very unclean. Action had not been taken to provide certain consumer goods to the public properly.Minister Johnston Fernando ordered CWE Chairman Nalin Fernando to immediately interdict...

No one can estimate the brutal insurgency that was fast spreading like a pestilence causing havoc in the country. The lives lost in this plague also cannot be counted.The tiger terrorists flagrantly violated the human rights of the entire nation. The cowardly acts of these gruesome terrorists committed during the dark era are reminisced in this feature. On 31st January 1988, the tiger terrorists killed two war heroes in an attack...

It has been emphasized that Provincial Councils do not have the authority to bring forward proposals pernicious to the country simply because they enjoy power. Such initiatives are deleterious to the unity of the country. The Tamil National Alliance in collaboration with the Tamil Diaspora is engaged in an untiring effort to put Sri Lanka into difficulty at the Geneva Human Rights sessions. The final aim of this effort was the...

There has been a high response to the request made by the Police for motorbike riders in the Western Province to ride during day time by switching on their head lights. Plans are afoot to enact a law on this respect if the trial mooted to minimize accidents achieved successful results.The Police made a request from motorbike riders within the Western Province to run on roads during day time with their head lights on. The programme...

There is a considerable drop in the illegal migration of Sri Lankans to Australia. This is revealed in a latest survey.The Australian High Commission says that a survey carried out by the Special Committee to look into the illegal migrant groups has revealed this information.There is a clear drop in the illegal migration of Sri Lankans to Australia and based on the results of the survey not a single Sri Lankan had illegally migrated...

The remorseless terrorists did not value any human life or property. They unleashed an inestimable number of crimes to quench their thirst for blood. These episodes clearly depict the ruthlessness and brutality of the crimes committed by this barbaric outfit.The tiger terrorists who killed two war heroes in the Sorampattu area on 30th January 1988, commenced their killing spree during the dark period on this day, with their intention...

Off-spinner Dilruwan Perera picked up five wickets as Sri Lanka thumped fragile Bangladesh by an innings and 248 runs in the first Test in Dhaka.Bangladesh, who made 232 in their first innings, conceded their highest Test total of 730-6 declared. Three Sri Lankans hit centuries including Mahela Jayawardene, who scored an unbeaten double-ton.Bangladesh, trailing by a huge 498-run margin on first innings, were bowled out for 250...

Formula One legend Michael Schumacher is reportedly being woken up from induced coma, according to French media reports. Schumacher’s manager on the other has urged to the public not to pay attention to the ‘speculation’ but did not deny the report.The seven-time world champion’s stay in intensive care reached the one-month mark on Wednesday. After his fall at Meribel ski resort in the French Alps, Schumacher was sedated and his...

Labor Day is a 2013 American drama film based on the 2009 novel of the same name by Joyce Maynard and the movie is directed by Jason Reitman. The cast includes Josh Brolin, Kate Winslet, Gattlin Griffith and James Van Der Beek.Follows a 13-year-old Henry Wheeler, who struggles to be the man of his house and care for his reclusive mother Adele while confronting all the pangs of adolescence.The events of this long Labor Day weekend...

The day when Sudarshana - Shanika took each other's arms Tele-drama actor Sudarshana Bandara who is also a teacher at Lyceum international School entered into marriage last week. His bride Shanika is a doctor by profession.A collection of 41 photos from HERE Pix By –Indika MallawarachchiDress-Champi Siriwardana Groom's Dress- Abhisheka Mandapa...

Lonely Pediatrician admitted to hospital .... for treatment Sometime ago the media exposed the plight of retired Pediatrician Vinitha Ranjani Gunawardena who in the past had for a long time dedicated her life to providing health facilities to people living in the Mahaweli zone. However, she now happens to spend the sunset of her life in...

This morning (Jan 28) popular actor Suraj Mapa's 'Ves' Dance ceremony was held at Bellanwila Raja Maha Vihara with the participation of several artistes.A collection of photos from. BELOW...

Understand the mindset of the children. Permit them to spend their childhood as children. The President made this appeal after opening the Mahindodoaya Technical Laboratory and the three storeyed administrative building complex of the Makandura Madhya Maha Vidyalaya.The President vested in the children this Mahindodaya Technical Laboratory and the three storeyed administrative complex last afternoon on the sidelines of the national...

The Sri Lankan and Indian External Ministers have met in New Delhi. Both Ministers took cognizance of the fisheries issue and the Geneva Human Rights sessions.A special discussion between External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris and his Indian counterpart Salman Kurshid was held in New Delhi today. Indian media reported that both Minister focused their attention on several issues significant to the country. They directed more...

President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunge has said that Sri Lanka cannot use an American method for resolving issues in the island nation. He said Sri Lanka has a Sri Lankan way of doing it.In an interview with the Associated Press, Mr. Weeratunga reiterated that the Sri Lankan armed forces neither targeted civilians nor used heavy weapons during the final months of the conflict. The President Secretary denied any such targeting...

The tiger Diaspora in Europe splits. Our ITN correspondent Srimal Pathiraja reporting from Italy attributed this development to clashes which had erupted with respect to a financial scam.Splitting the European Tamil Diaspora, the British Tamil Forum has left the Global Tamil Forum. As a result the leader of the Global Tamil Forum and the Spokesman are embroiled in a dispute. The British Tamil Forum has called on the Tamils living...

The Election Commissioner says that civilian groups will be appointed to each police division where polls will be taking place to monitor violation of election laws. Elections Chief Mahinda Deshapriya announced that the total number of registered for polls to the Western and Southern Provincial Councils is Five million 898 thousand 427.\Mr. Deshapriya said that they have set up complaints centres at District Secretariats. There...

President of the Public Service United Nurses Union the Ven. Muruttetuwe Ananda Thera has pointed out that Family Health Service Officials had no moral right to rise up against the programme of imparting midwifery training to them. He emphasized that it is the public who will benefit through the implementation of this programme.Nurses had been given midwifery training dating back to 100 years. It is the nurses who are responsible...

The Ugandan Defence Minister visits the Kotalawala Defence University. A delegation led by Ugandan Minister of State for Defense, General Odongo Jeje now in the island, joined in an official visit to the Kotalawala Defence University. On their arrival they were greeted by Vice Chancellor of the University Major General Milinda Peiris.During the discussions Major General Peiris elaborated on the status quo of the University and...

The havoc wreaked by terrorism that was fast spreading like a pestilence and which was a mortal threat to the country, is immense. The despicable acts committed by the terrorists unleashing massive devastation in the country are being reminisced in this feature again.The tiger terrorists who took away some lives in the Agarapathana area on 29th January in the year 1986 embarked on their killing spree in the dark era, portraying...

“300: Rise of an Empire” is an upcoming 2014 American action film directed by Noam Murro. It is a follow-up to the 2007 film 300, taking place before, during, and after the events of that film. Zack Snyder, who directed and co-wrote the original film, acts as writer and producer on Rise of an Empire. The cast includes Sullivan Stapleton, Eva Green, Callan Mulvey, Hans Matheson, and Jack O’Connell. The cast also includes Lena Headey,...

“Winter’s Tale” is an upcoming 2014 American supernatural drama film based on the 1983 novel by Mark Helprin. The film is directed and written by Akiva Goldsman and stars Colin Farrell, Jessica Brown Findlay and Will Smith. A New York Winter’s Tale is Goldsman’s debut as director of a feature film.Winter’s Tale follows the story of Peter Lake. Peter Lake is a thief who falls in love with Beverly Penn, a dying girl who has tuberculosis...

New Zealand sealed their one-day international series against India with a game to spare when a Ross Taylor century set up a convincing seven-wicket victory in the fourth ODI. It was New Zealand’s third win in the five-match series, with one match tied and one remaining.At Hamilton’s Seddon Park, they chased down India’s 278-5 for the loss of only three wickets and with 11 balls to spare after Taylor paved the way with a masterful...

Opener Kaushal Silva hit a maiden Test century to lead a dominant batting display by Sri Lanka on the second day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka. Silva scored 139 as the tourists reached 375-5 at stumps at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium, a lead of 143 over Bangladesh’s first innings total of 232 with five wickets in hand.The right-hander put on 118 for the first wicket with Dimuth Karunaratne and then teamed up with veteran...

The Sri Lanka Army debunks allegations that it had used chemical weapons.Military Spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasuriya said that various human rights allegations were being levelled against Sri Lankan Security Forces targeting the Human Rights Council sessions slated to be held in Geneva in March. Addressing a media conference held in Kollupitiya, Brig. Wanigasuriya described these allegations as baseless and fabricated.The...

Minister Wimal Weerawansa has shed light on a conspiracy planned by forces against the country in collaboration with the Tamil Diaspora to prove to the world about the concocted tales about missing persons. The Minister made an elaboration on the proposals endorsed by the Tamil National Alliance summoning a news conference in Battaramulla.Minister Weerawansa said that all these are proposals against the country. One proposal mentions...

The Chinese Government has diverted its attention to the prevailing situation at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant.The first stage of the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant was launched with a credit assistance given by the Chinese Government.The Chinese Government has taken cognizance of the reports so far published in the mass media on this Power Plant. Accordingly a group of officials of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka met Minister...

A small student faced a tragic death following an accident involving a cricket pitch hand roller.This unfortunate incident that happened at the Colombo Ananda College Grounds is now a thing of the past.Senitha Bandara Wijesinghe faced this tragic death not only leaving his grieving father, mother and two sisters but also the entire country. This little child was playing with his friends in the College Grounds. They would have...

Applications for postal voting in the forthcoming Provincial Council polls will be accepted until the 10th of next month.Information needed for registration can be obtained on contact number 1919.Commissioner for Elections Mahinda Deshapriya said that applications for the Western and Southern Provincial Council polls will be entertained only until the 10th of next month.The State Information Centre has provided facilities to secure...

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...

It was on a day like today that President Rajapaksa was re-elected to office for a second term four years ago achieving many victories mixed with peace, freedom, prosperity and pride for the motherland. The President commenced his first term of office polling a record voter percentage at the Presidential election held in the year 2005. He was indeed an epoch maker marking a significant period in Sri Lanka during his first term...

The World Bank Vice-President of the South Asian Region during a meeting with the President has lauded the progress achieved in development in Sri Lanka.The World Bank South Asian Regional Vice President Philip Luello who is on a visit to Sri Lanka met President Rajapaksa at Temple Trees. Discussions centred on the country’s development process and the solidarity with the World Bank. The World Bank Vice President referred to the...

The President declares open the Kegalla Outer Circle road safeguarding the pristine glory of the Kegalla town, marking another watershed in road development.The expenditure incurred by the Highways Ministry on this 4.2 kilometre alternative road newly constructed as a solution to traffic congestion on the Colombo-Kandy Highway in the Kegalla town was 2180 million rupees. It includes a flyover which is 70 metres long with a height...

Sri Lanka has held over 90 meetings with Geneva based Permanent Representatives of the member states.Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga who will spearhead the Sri Lankan delegation to Geneva this time, to lobby against another planned resolution on Sri Lanka by the United States, during the UNHRC sessions, had these meetings.Mr. Weeratunga is also in charge of the National Plan of Action for the Implementation of Recommendations...

Another stage of the process to find solutions to the Indo-Lanka fisheries issues commenced in Chennai in Tamil Nadu today.Talks to deliberate on the fisheries issues between India and Sri Lanka were recently held in India with the participation of the Fisheries Ministers of the two countries. As a result freedom was granted to fishermen of the two countries. Another stage of the discussions commenced in Chennai this morning.The...

Japan is providing 160 million rupees in grant aid for humanitarian demining in the North.Japan has been a major donor supporting mine clearance in Sri Lanka to accelerate the return and resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons and to facilitate recommencement of agriculture and other livelihood activities of returnees. Since 2003, the Government of Japan has given a sum of 27 million US Dollars for demining in the North and...

Activists of other parties in the South giving up their parties and colours take the lead in bringing triumph to the government.A group of United National Party and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramua has secured membership of the United People’s Freedom Alliance. They obtained the membership of the Alliance joining in a people’s rally held at Kamburupitiya which ws presided by Minister Chandrasiri Gajadheera. All of them declared their...

The tiger terrorists who did not have an awareness of the value of human lives, destroyed them, denigrating all human beings. Thousands of people gave up their lives mainly to quench the blood thirst of the ruthless terrorists.If not for the initiatives taken by the Commander in Chief with the support of the war heroes to end the brutal insurgency that plagued the country for 30 years, the entire country would have transformed...

Now, no actors-actresses for dramas .... everyone with us Various people are gossiping about various opinions of how Sri Lankan actors and actresses are struggling to creep into politics these days. In the process, Namal Rajapaksha expressed at a meeting held yesterday that because all actors and actresses are streaming into politics and...

Sunetha's funeral rites ... amid tears and wailings of thousands Senith Wijeysingha of Ananda College, the small prince bade goodbye to everybody last evening (Jan 23) in the midst of tears and wailings of parents, teachers, students, fiends and comrades. His final rites was conducted at the Talahena General Cemetery. Thousands including...

If no Minister post ..... shall sing virindu and live-- Minister Maithree's virindu sural (video)A meeting for the summary of the process of programmes regarding non-communicable diseases was held yesterday (Jan 21) and a virindu CD was launched to create awareness among the public in that connection. Minister Maithreepala Sirisena on that...

“The Monuments Men” is a 2014 American-German comedy-drama film directed by George Clooney, written and produced by Clooney and Grant Heslov, and starring Clooney, Matt Damon, Bill Murray, and Cate Blanchett. Based on the book The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History by Robert M. Edsel, the film follows the story of the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives program, an Allied group,...

Bangladesh, sent in to bat by Sri Lanka, were bowled out for 232 on the opening day of the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Dhaka. Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim top-scored with 61 and Shakib Al Hasan made 55. Shaminda Eranga claimed four wickets and new-ball partner Suranga Lakmal took three.Bangladesh lost three wickets in successive overs to slide from 35-0 to 40-3 as Eranga removed Tamim Iqbal and Rahman, and captain Angelo...

Australian Simon Gerrans stayed out of trouble in final stage to finish ahead of compatriot Cadel Evans and become the first rider to win the Tour Down Under for a third time.German sprinter Andre Greipel won the 18-lap race around the 4.75km street circuit in Adelaide for his 16th tour stage win. Going into the last stage, 2006 and 2011 winner Gerrans held a one-second lead over 2011 Tour de France-winner Evans and was five seconds...

Albino turtle speaks (video)What we now hear about albino turtles that created an uproar sometime ago is indeed sorrowful. The albino turtles handed over to the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens have now begun to die. Seen below is a video which shows an albino turtle expressing its ideas revealing its sorrow.(Extract -- Y Minister)...

Girl's leg trapped inside concrete slab .... while walking on pavementAn uproar was seen in the town of Matale yesterday (Jan 17) because a young girl's leg had got trapped inside a concrete slab. She had been travelling on the pavement at that time. The girl had then begun shouting in agony not being able to withdraw her leg from the concrete...

Everything can be achieved through dedication, belief and commitment. The President says that it was how the freedom and development of the country were achieved. President Mahinda Rajapaksa mentioned this at the ceremony held to declare open the swimming pool of the Kegalla St. Joseph Balika Vidyalaya. It has been built at a cost of fifteen million rupees. Speaking on the occasion the President pointed out that the Government...

The President has vested in the public a number of development projects in Kegalle as a part of the mega development projects launched in the country. President Mahinda Rajapaksa vested in the public today the outer circular road in Kegalle. This five kilo meter stretch would provide a permanent solution to the vehicle congestion that prevails in the Kegalle town. The Government has spent 3.6 billion rupees in this regard. The...

The First Lady has paid floral tributes to the Mahathma Ghandi statue built in Uganda. First Lady Shiranthi Wickramasingh Rajapaksa has left on an official tour to Uganda to take part in the inaugural medical clinic for the children in Uganda with the participation of Sri Lankan Doctors. The visit has been organized on an invitation from First Lady of Uganda Jannet Mussaveni. First Lady Mrs. Rajapaksa paid floral tributes to...

SLFP peoples’ representatives have taken the lead to assure the victory in the Western Province. Kalutara SLFP representatives meeting was held under the patronage of Minister Basil Rajapaksa. More than 2000 party activists attended the meeting held at the Kalutara South SLFP office. The SLFP meeting of Borella seat took place at the party office of the Parliamentarian Thilanga Sumathipala. A group of people including senior...

Disputes in finances and ideology differences have broken the Tamil diaspora into two fractions. The Tamil diaspora which acted on behalf of LTTE internationally, collected billions of money for them during the active period of the LTTE. They also collect money for the benefit of the members of the diaspora. Following the eradication of terrorism from the county, many problems arose in the Tamil diaspora. Among the main problems...

The pre-paid card system on passenger bus services has been launched. The new service was introduced from the Matara town. Accordingly the passenger bus services which commenced from Matara, have introduced the services from today. The ceremony to introduce the pre-paid card was held at Matara main bus stand with the attendance of the Japanese Ambassador – Nobo-hito Hobo, Ministers Dallas Allahapperuma and Lakshman Yapa Abey...

Fisheries talks between Sri Lanka and Chennai will commence tomorrow in Chennai. The talks in Chennai would be based on the discussions between Minister Rajitha Senaratne and Indian Foreign Minister. They would also consider the views of the Committee appointed following the discussions between the two Ministers. Sri Lanka will be represented by five government representatives and five fishing community leaders. The discussions...

Police have taken into custody a suspect at Panangala with one thousand rupee counterfeit notes. Police have been able to arrest him at Eppala-Panangala on a tip-off received by Galle Udugama Police Intelligence Unit. Police have seized five hundred notes from the possession of the suspect. Police said that there were nineteen court cases being heard in various courts, against the suspect. Three days earlier, Police arrested...

Tim’s Vermeer is a documentary film, directed by the performer Teller, produced by his stage partner Penn Jillette and Farley Ziegler, about inventor Tim Jenison’s questto duplicate the painting techniques of Johannes Vermeer.Tim Jenison, a Texas based inventor, attempts to solve one of the greatest mysteries in all art: How did 17th century Dutch Master Johannes Vermeer manage to paint so photo-realistically 150 years before...

President has emphatically mentioned that as the Government triumphed in the war it will surmount the future challenges. The President laid this emphasis at the granting of housing entitlements of the third stage of the houses built by the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Civil Defence Department. The ceremony ws held at the Museaus College auditorium in Colombo. Keys were symbolically handed over to 250 house recipients. Defence Secretary...

The President has declared open the Abhayarama Dharma Sabha Mandapaya of the Abhayarama Vihare in Narahenpita.The President who arrived at the Abhayarama Vihare in Narahenpita this morning paid obeisance to the Bodhiya and secured blessings. After engaging in religious observances the President declared open the newly constructed Dharma Sabha Mandapaya at the Vihare. The two-storeyed Mandapaya which displays how the Lord Buddha...

A special Kiripindu Dana was held at the Sri Sambuddhaloka Vihare in Colombo Fort to mark the first anniversary of the deposit of Sacred Relics at the Dathu Mandiraya under the auspices of President Rajapaksa..The Sacred Relics were deposited under the patronage of the President at The Dathu Mandiraya on the 25th of January last year. Since then Kiripindu Dana were continuously offered in the morning. The President assumed the...

Vietnam has emphasized to Sri Lanka that it will do its “utmost” to support the island nation at the United Nations Human Rights Council Sessions in Geneva in March.Vietnam, which is a member of the UNHRC for 2014-2016 tenure, gave this assurance when President Rajapaksa’s special envoy and Minister D.E.W Gunasekera met Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang and Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong during his working visit to...

Airport Customs have seized nearly 12 kiliogrammes of gold smuggled into the country.The gold has been seized at the Katunayake International Airport during a period of 24 hours. A Sri Lankan who returned from Dubai last morning was arrested with 10 kilogrammes of gold to the value of around 50 million rupees.Also a mother and a daughter who attempted to smuggle out to Chennai a haul of gold from the Airport were arrested. The...

The minimum maternity mortality rate among the South Asian countries prevails in Sri Lanka. This is revealed in a survey carried out in respect of National Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care Needs Assessment.The report on the survey carried out in respect of Emergency and Neonatal Care Needs Assessment at the National and Provincial levelwas handed over to Minister Maithripala Sirisena at the Health Ministry recently. Director...