Wigneswaran to lead major rally in Jaffna next month

23 Aug, 2019

Former Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran today launched an awareness campaign for a major rally to be staged in Jaffna next month. The rally will see the participation of politicians supporting Wigneswaran’s political alliance, the Tamil People’s Council. Wigneswaran launched the awareness campaign today from the Nallur Hindu Temple in Jaffna. Speaking to reporters, Wigneswaran said that the?Eluga Thamil (Rise up Tamils) rally will be staged in Jaffna on September 16. He said

Army Intelligence Sergeant arrested over Keith Noyahr case

23 Aug, 2019

An Army Intelligence Sergeant has been arrested over the abduction and assault of journalist Keith Noyahr. Chamika Sumith Kumara was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on the directions of the Attorney General. Keith Noyahr was abducted and assaulted by a group of men in a van on the night of the 22nd of May 2008.

Ravi Wijegunaratne granted service extension

23 Aug, 2019

Chief of Defense Staff Admiral?Ravi Wijegunaratne has been granted a service extension by President Maithripala Sirisena. The President has extended the term of Ravi Wijegunaratne till 31 December 2019. He was appointed as the Commander of the Navy on 11th July 2015 and appointed as the Chief of Defence Staff on 22nd August 2017. Last year CID investigations into the alleged abduction and disappearance of 11 Tamil youth by the Navy saw Ravi Wijegunaratne being accused of having helped an offi

Reports on five high profile cases handed over

22 Aug, 2019

Reports based on investigations conducted on five high profile cases have been handed over to the Attorney General. Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said that the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) handed over the reports based on investigations conducted so far into five cases, including into the murder of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge. The murder of rugger player Wasim Thajudeen and the disappearance of journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda are among the high profile investigations. Wic

Sri Lanka’s new envoy to UN meets UN Chief

22 Aug, 2019

Sri Lanka’s new Ambassador to the UN, Kshenuka Dhireni Senewiratne met UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres at the UN Headquarters in New York. Senewiratne, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, presented her credentials to the Secretary-General at the meeting. Senewiratne assumed duties at the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the UN in New York on Monday 5th August following a solemn multi-religious ceremony invoking blessings for her tenure and the sta

Cabinet approves proposal to reform MMDA

21 Aug, 2019

Cabinet has approved a proposal to amend the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA). A proposal to amend the Act was submitted by the Muslim Affairs Ministry and the Justice Ministry. The proposed amendments include the minimum age for marriage and registering process. The Government said that reforms to the MMDA had been sought by Muslims in the country. Several rounds of discussions have been held on the MMDA reforms but a final agreement was never reached. A discussion was held last mont

Five prisoners to be grilled on plot to kill President

20 Aug, 2019

Five prisoners are to be questioned over a plot to kill President Maithripala Sirisena. The Colombo Chief Magistrate granted approval to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to record statements from prisoners on death row who had allegedly conspired to kill the President.

Mahesh Senanayake promoted to the rank of General

20 Aug, 2019

The outgoing Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake has been promoted to the rank of General. He has been promoted by President Maithripala Sirisena, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces effective from 17 August 2019, the Army media unit said today. Senanayake was the 22nd Commander of the Army.

Japanese special envoy Akashi meets Mahinda

19 Aug, 2019

Japanese special envoy Yasushi Akashi met Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa for talks today. The Representative of the Government of Japan for Peace-Building, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sri Lanka met the former President at his Wijerama residence. Former Ministers, Professor G.L Peiris and Keheliya Rambukwella and Japanese officials also attended the discussion.