Government declares a three day public holiday

Minister wants paddy removed from MRIA

Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva wants paddy stored at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) removed and the airport maintained at international standards. Speaking to reporters after visiting the airport, the Minister said that the environment at the airport had been damaged as a result of paddy being stored at the airport premises. He said that birds had begun to flock around the airport after paddy was brought to be stored in one of the stores in the airport by the Pa

18 Oct, 2015

DMK to seek steps for release of fishermen

India’s DMK treasurer MK Stalin said his party would press the Union Government to take steps for the immediate release of all fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan navy, the Press Trust of India reported. Stalin, as part of his pre-election ‘Namukke Naame’ (We for Ourselves) tour to woo electors ahead of 2016 Assembly polls, visited Akkaraipettai and Keechankuppam fishing hamlets and interacted with the fishermen. Referring to the recent arrests of 31 Nagapattinam fishermen by the Sri Lankan n

18 Oct, 2015

TNA will stage fast if President makes u-turn

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has warned that it will stage a fast if President Maithripala Sirisena makes a u-turn on his assurance to the Tamil political prisoners. The Tamil political prisoners had suspended their fast unto death yesterday after the President assured a solution to their concerns. The assurance was conveyed to the prisoners by the TNA, including opposition and TNA leader R. Sampanthan. The TNA however said that if the President fails to meet his commitments by November

18 Oct, 2015