Activist Ryan Jayalath remanded after surrendering to court

President orders release of Jaffna students

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ordered the release of the Jaffna university students who were detained last December, the government information department said. The police had arrested several students following tensions which arose in Jaffna in December but eventually freed most of them. A release by the government information department said that the President had ordered the release of the students following an appeal put forward by the parents when the President visited Jaffna today. Amnes

12 Feb, 2013

Cardinal Ranjith named as possible candidate for Pope

Cardinal Albert Malcolm Ranjith has been named as a possible candidate to succeed Pope Benedict XVI by Forbes magazine. Pope Benedict XVI, 85, made the surprise announcement that he would step down on February 28, citing his advanced age. Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi, said a successor could be elected by Easter, which falls on March 31. Already speculation is running rampant. Vatican experts say there is no clear favorite. According to Forbes several Italians top the list (Italians hold a

12 Feb, 2013

Maharagama monk assaulted

A monk was assaulted by an unidentified gang in Pamunuwa, Maharagama this morning, the police media unit said. The police said that the monk attached to a?Buddhist Temple in the area had gone to investigate into a sound he had heard from the garden. At that point four men had?pounced?on him and assaulted him, the police media unit said. The police suspect the gang had attempted to steal the money in the Temple till when the monk was alerted by the sound. The monk was admitted to hospital but is

11 Feb, 2013