Sri Lanka News Updates with Discussions

`I met Prageeth in France`

In a dramatic turn of events, outspoken Puttalam District UPFA MP, Arundika Fernando, yesterday told Parliament that writer and journalist, Manjula Wediwardena, living in self-exile, introduced journalist Prageeth Ekneligoda to him in France.

Raising a privilege issue in Parliament, MP Fernando said, Ekneligoda had shaven his hair and was in disguise, but others were able to recognize him. Ekneligoda had also participated in an anti-Sri Lanka protest in Geneva with Sunanda Deshapriya, the MP claimed.

Boston attack: Three dead, manhunt widens
Last updated 13:29 16/04/2013

Two bombs exploded in the packed streets near the finish line of the Boston Marathon about 7am NZT. It is the first terror attack on US soil since the September 11 attacks in 2001.

The blasts killed three people and injured more than 141 in a terrifying scene of shattered glass, bloodstained pavement and severed limbs at the world`s oldest and most prestigious marathon. A child, 8, was among the dead and many victims were critically injured. CNN reported eight children were among those hurt, one as young as two, who was being treated for a head injury.

By Malinda Seneviratne

`Buddhist Questioning Bodu Bala Sena`

Those who participated or wanted to participate in the candle-light vigil organized by a set of people calling themselves `Buddhists Questioning Bodu Bala Sena`, those who witnessed what happened or part of what happened, those who saw images and footage, and others who generally comment on issues such as religious tolerance, democracy, human rights etc, will no doubt articulate their respective versions. This is mine, but to illustrate the point of multiple narrative/interpretation, I will weave into my narrative some narrative comments of a friend.

Pastor of the Tissa children`s home arrested

Published on Tuesday, 26 March 2013 10:42

(Mirror) - The pastor of the children`s home at Tissamaharama , Bogahapelessa has been arrested by the police.

The main allegation in the reports was that children were used to slaughter animals.

The police spokesman`s office stated that the suspect will be produced to Thissamaharama Magistrate Court today (26).

The alleged pastor has been running the particular children`s home for a long time.

From the book `A child by any other name` by Malinda Seneviratne and Sandra Mack.

*Highlights TNA`s failure to take it up with India
March 15, 2013, 9:32 pm

by Shamindra Ferdinando


Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday said that a section of the Tamil Nadu fishing fleet had been propagating lies against the navy at the behest of interested parties, while poaching and causing immense damage to fishery resources in the country`s northern waters.

By P K Balachandran | ENS - COLOMBO

09th March 2013 07:55 AM

The US resolution on Sri Lanka, which was presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Friday, has incorporated India`s suggestion that the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) take the island government into confidence while probing cases of atrocities.

The resolution seeks to ensure that special procedure mandate holders tasked to look into human rights violations, work only in consultation with and with the concurrence of Colombo.

no wonder peelamists and demala diaspora are so afraid of SL buddhist monks..this is how things are done in SL. if you dont do it in 2 weeks, we will do it.

anyone say they are wrong..????

Kuragala..now a mosque..sad indeed!! who is responsible for this..????

Grievances, please?

Leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), veteran politician R. Sampanthan, has stated that his reservations about joining the Parliamentary Select Committee stems from a long history of promises and assurances, made and given respectively, and consequently broken. In short, he doesn`t trust the Sri Lankan Government (just has he and other Tamil leaders have not trusted previous Governments).


Someone can easily say `you are one to talk!` make a long list of actions and statements by Sampanthan, going back to at least 1977, and point out that the `untrustworthy` cap fits him as well as it does anyone else`s head. That`s a game without a time frame, though.

Coudnt resist..:))

Lankan pilgrims sustain minor injuries after miscreants attack buses

For Joseph from Chilaw in Puttalam district in North-West Sri Lanka, the yearly pilgrimage to India has always been a thanksgiving mission after being cured of sores that covered his body. It turned nightmarish this year.

Not only was the pilgrimage of 178 Sri Lankan nationals, including Joseph, who visited the basilicas of Velankanni and Poondi curtailed, but the last leg of the journey also saw them return home with bruises after buses transporting them to the Tiruchi airport were attacked on Tuesday.

A day after two batches of Sri Lankan students who were here on invitation to play football matches left India in three different flights on Sunday, tension prevailed in Thanjavur district where 200 Sri Lankans arrived to participate in a religious event.

Members of the Naam Tamizhar Iyakkam raised slogans protesting the visit of the Sri Lankan nationals and demanded that they be sent back immediately, police sources said.

Norwegian Excess?

Date:2012-09-01 02:10:00

Children from 60 Tamil families forcibly taken into Norwegian State Custody

* Many placed in foster care, 17-year-old in commits suicide

* Victimized SL Tamil parents seek help from Lankan government


By Gagani Weerakoon


A group of Sri Lankan Tamils living in Norway, whose children were allegedly forcibly taken into Norwegian State custody, have written to Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, seeking government intervention for the release and return of these minors.

TRICHY: The Kalai Kaviri College of Fine Arts in Trichy has had to pay a heavy price for hosting Sri Lankan students at its premises. Volunteers of Naam Thamizhar stormed the institution accusing them of harbouring Sri Lankan nationals and conducting cultural programmes with the latter. As soon as the news that about 70 A-level (equivalent to Plus Two) students of Sri Lanka had landed in the college broke out, Naam Thamizhar volunteers staged a dharna in front the college demanding cancellation of all programmes involving the Lankans with immediate effect.