News Room : PTA used only in instances of extreme necessity
The sixth meeting of the European Union – Sri Lanka Working Group on Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights issued a joint statement that said the Sri Lankan government informed them that the PTA has only been used in instances of extreme necessity. The organisation expressed its concern about the recent use of the PTA and said it also...
News Room : Namal Kumara arrested for sexual assault
Namal Kumara, the self-styled Director (Operations) of the Anti-Corruption Force has been arrested by the Warakapola Police over a sexual assualt allegation yesterday. He has since been released on bail. A video of Namal Kumara tied up to a chair with his wife standing by his side has gone viral on social media. In it a woman can be heard...
News Room : SWISS airlines to commence flights to Colombo
The SWISS international airline is set to commence flights to Colombo from next month onwards. Announcing the new flights, Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando said this will increase the number of tourists arriving in the country. KLM is also set to commence flights to Colombo from tomorrow.
News Room : Military in North and East ramps up security ahead of Maaveerar Naal
It is reported that the military has ramped up its security and surveillance activities in the North and East ahead of the Maaveerar Naal celebrations on 27 November. Intelligence personnel are said to be observing all activities and any entry of newcomers to these areas. Maaveerar Naal is a remembrance day observed by Sri Lankan Tamils to commemorate the...
News Room : Magistrate tells Priyamali’s lawyers he cannot gag media – The Island
Thico Group owner, her partner, and Sirisumana Thera remanded till Nov. 16 By A.J.A. Abeynayake Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage yesterday (02) remanded the owner of Thico Group of Companies (Pvt.) Ltd., Thilini Priyamali, her business partner Isuru Bandara, and alleged accomplice Ven. Borella Sirisumana Thera, till 16 Nov. They were arrested for allegedly defrauding businessmen to the tune of three billion...
News Room : Rishad acquitted on AG’s instructions
By A.J.A. Abeynayake Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage yesterday (02) ordered the acquittal of MP Rishad Bathiudeen, named a suspect in a case filed over the Easter Sunday terror attacks. He did so on the instructions of the Attorney General. The Magistrate issued the order when the magisterial inquiry related to the case was taken up again yesterday. Bathiudeen was arrested by...
News Room : Stalin accuses police of attempting to disrupt protest – The Island
Thico Group owner, her partner, and Sirisumana Thera remanded till Nov. 16 By A.J.A. Abeynayake Colombo Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage yesterday (02) remanded the owner of Thico Group of Companies (Pvt.) Ltd., Thilini Priyamali, her business partner Isuru Bandara, and alleged accomplice Ven. Borella Sirisumana Thera, till 16 Nov. They were arrested for allegedly defrauding businessmen to the tune of three billion...
News Room : Accusing govt. of repression, FUTA pledges solidarity with protesters – The Island
University teachers say that the government is engaged in a systematic attempt to suppress the truth, protect corrupt officials and politicians, and grant favours to a cabal of crony capitalists that it favours. “People do not want this corrupt political culture to continue, they are demanding change. While the government wants people to believe that it is effectively managing the...
News Room : Aiyo, Aragalaya!
Thursday 3rd November, 2022 Opposition parties are in a perpetual state of confusion; they seem to be labouring under the delusion that united, they will fall, and divided, they can stand. The JVP not only refused to take part in yesterday’s protest march in Colombo but also disparaged the organisers thereof. It has said it will have no truck with...
News Room : ‘System change’ coming to the fore in Iran – The Island
‘Woman, Life, Freedom’. These words resound vibrantly over the length and breadth of Iran currently. Women passionately voicing these words hail from all walks of life and social classes of the country. Interestingly, they are being joined by males in increasing numbers. That is, male-domination or patriarchy is being challenged from within. These trends in present, unprecedented women’s rights-centred protests...