Hartal in Northern Province

A Hartal was launched in the Northern Province demanding that the authorities release political prisoners who have been detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act without cases being filed in courts.

Shops in the Mullaitivu, Killinochchi, Vavuniya, Mannar and Jaffna districts were kept closed and public transport service came to a standstill yesterday.

ASP Daluwatte transferred!

ASP of Hambantota Thushara Daluwatte has been transferred to Matara with immediate effect.

His transfer comes as an investigation is ongoing into his having assaulted a youth during the joint opposition protest in Hambantota a few days ago.

Over 1597 suicides reported this year

So far this year 1597 persons had committed suicide over failed romances, family disputes, educational failures and other illnesses, according to police statistics.

Among those who had committed suicide are 1275 males and 322 females.

Further the statistics revealed the highest suicide rate was among the 26-30 year age group.

Felt bad when I saw Prabhakaran’s body: Rahul

India’s late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s son Rahul said he felt bad when he saw the body of Prabhakaran, who killed his father, Indian media reported.

While addressing a business community at Vadodara in Gujurat on Monday, he said his family followed Mahatma Gandhi’s values and he felt bad when he saw the body of his father Rajiv’s assailant.

Litro Chairman interdicted

The Chairman of Litro Gas Lanka Limited Shalila Moonesinghe who is currently in remand, has been removed from his post.

He was removed from his position on the directives of the Minister of Public Enterprise Development Kabir Hashim.

Hirunika to file defamation case against Gammanpila

Parliamentarian Hirunika Premachandra says a defamation case will be filed against MP Udaya Gammanpila.

Speaking at a media briefing held in Colombo today, MP Premachandra said MP Udaya Gammanpila has made false statements pertaining to the property owned by her.

Namal Rajapaksa arrested

Parliamentarians Namal Rajapaksa, D.V. Chanaka, Prassanna Ranaweera and three others were arrested by the Hambantota police in connection with the recent protest in Hambantota, Police said.

They were summoned by the Hambantota police to record a statement in connection with the incident this afternoon.

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in second Test, take series

Sri Lanka now trails fifth ranked Australia (97 points) by three points.

Thirteen months after lifting the prestigious ICC Test Championship mace for topping the MRF Tyres ICC Test Team Rankings, Pakistan have plummeted to seventh in the latest Test team rankings, which were updated following the conclusion of its home series against Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka not only won the series 2-0 but handed Pakistan only its second whitewash in a home series (Pakistan lost all three Tests against Australia in 2002-03).