News

India expels Pakistan diplomats and closes border crossing

Published

3 weeks ago

April 24, 2025

editor

India has closed its main border crossing with Pakistan, expelled its diplomats and suspended a landmark water-sharing treaty following an attack that killed 26 tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir.
Pakistan has denied involvement in the attack and will convene a national security meeting on Thursday to discuss a response to the measures taken by India.

Gunmen burst out of forests and opened fire on visitors with automatic weapons in the attack near the picturesque tourist town of Pahalgam.

More details have been emerging about those killed. They include a honeymooning groom and a businessman on holiday.

There’s been no official confirmation yet on who carried out the brutal attack but some media reports say a group linked to Pakistan-based organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba may have claimed responsibility.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi cut short a foreign trip to return to Delhi to meet security chiefs. He’s pledged those responsible will not be spared.

Kashmir, which is claimed by both India and Pakistan, has seen a decades-long insurgency against Indian rule that has claimed tens of thousands of lives – but attacks on tourists are rare.

(BBC News)

News

8,742 Vesak Dansals registered islandwide

Published

2 hours ago

May 12, 2025

editor

The Public Health Inspectors (PHI)’s Union states that a total of 8,742 Dansals have been registered islandwide, in line with Vesak celebrations this year.

According to the PHI’s Union chairman – Upul Rohana, the highest number of ‘Dansal’ is registered in the Western Province, particularly in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) area.

The union has also urged organiser to reduce the use of polythene and plastic during food distribution efforts.

News

Financial assistance from President’s Fund for Gerandi Ella bus accident victims

Published

3 hours ago

May 12, 2025

editor

A sum of Rs. 1 million from the President’s Fund will be granted for each individual who lost their life in the Kotmale bus accident, the President’s Media Division states.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake has directed that a sum of Rs. 1 million be granted from the President’s Fund to each individual who lost their life in the tragic bus accident that occurred early this morning (11) in the Garadiella area, Kotmale.

Accordingly, arrangements have been made to promptly disburse these funds to the next of kin of the deceased through the President’s Fund.

In addition to this assistance, compensation will also be provided to the affected families through the Sri Lanka Transport Board and relevant insurance schemes.

Meanwhile, authorities continue to investigate the cause of the accident, which has claimed 22 lives so far.

(Pic : Accident1st)

News

Maxwell gets 5-yr. ban

Published

3 hours ago

May 12, 2025

editor

Former Secretary of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) Maxwell de Silva was handed a five-year ban, sources revealed.

Earlier, De Silva was suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Ministry of Sports due to various irregularities committed by him over several years.

Accordingly, the NOCSL Executive Committee decided to hand down a five-year ban on De Silva, considering the recommendations made by the NOCSL Ethics Committee, NOCSL President Suresh Subramaniam told the Daily Mirror.

Subramaniam further stated that the penalty on De Silva has already been communicated in writing to the IOC.

Accordingly, the former secretary, who has been banned for five years, is now completely prohibited from representing the NOCSL at any foreign event or international conference.

(dailymirror.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)