Three former military Commanders had appealed to the President yesterday (20) to prevent war heroes from being arrested in a manner that tarnishes their reputation and pride, as for a war hero his pride and honour is more precious than his life.

The Appeal Court today (Feb 21) ordered that the contempt of court case filed against former Northern Chief Minister C V Vigneswaran and three others would be heard on May 23 and 31. On an earlier occasion, preliminary objections that were filed by the defendants in the case claiming that the Court of Appeal did not have the jurisdiction to hear cases pertaining to contempt of court, were dismissed by the Appeal Court itself.

The radiocarbon dating report on the Mannar mass grave was handed over to the Mannar court today. Six bone samples obtained from the Mannar mass grave, located at the Sathosa Building in the Mannar town were handed over for radiocarbon dating, to Beta Analytics in Miami, Florida, USA. A report on five of the six samples were received and the report was handed over to court today.

An attack on a Tamil journalist in Jaffna yesterday was strongly condemned today. Tamil National Alliance Parliamentarian S. Sritharan told Parliament that justice must be ensured for the journalist. He said that the attack was seen as a warning to the media in the North. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) in a letter to President Maithripala Sirisena expressed concern over the attack on journalist Nadarajah Kugarajah.

Party leaders have decided to meet the Attorney General (AG) and the Chairman of the Elections Commission to discuss matters related to the Provincial Council elections.The decision was taken when the political party leaders met in Parliament today. It was decided at the meeting to request the AG and Chairman of the Elections Commission to be present at the next party leaders meeting to discuss steps that need to be taken to hold the Provincial Council elections.

The collection of 100,000 signatures for a petition to be sent to the Human Rights Commission in Geneva, commenced from Mulaithivu. The purpose in collecting these signatures for the petition to be presented at the UNHRC 40th session scheduled to commence in March, in order to obtain justice for the families of those who had disappeared during the war.

The National Plant Quarantine Service has temporarily suspended all fruit imports from India. When contacted by Sri Lanka Mirror, the Additional Director of the National Plant Quarantine Service Dr. W.A.R.T Wickrama arachchi said the temporary suspension was imposed as India had failed since October last year, to adhere to the quality certification regulation imposed by the National Plant Quarantine Service when importing fruits to the country. Therefore, the National Plant Quarantine Service had discussed the issue with the Agriculture Ministry and taken the decision to temporarily suspend fruit imports from India.

Sri Lanka's first research satellite RAAVANA-1 built by two Sri Lankan youths is set to be launched into space this April, marking our entrance into the space age, an official of the Arthur C Clarke Institute said.

The much anticipated report on Sri Lanka by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is likely to go public on March 8, The Sunday Morning newspaper reported. Sources at the High Commissioner

A petrol bomb attack took place on a house in Kokkuvil in Jaffna today, Jaffna based media reported. The attackers had arrived on motorcycles and threw petrol bombs towards the house. A van and two motorcycles parked outside the house had been completely destroyed in the attack. The front part of the house was also damaged in the attack.

Local civil society members have written to President Maithripala Sirisena raising concerns over a statement he had made recently with regards to the Constitutional Council (CC) and the Human Rights Commission (HRCSL).

A majority of the recommendations tabled at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva have been implemented by the government, Rear Admiral Dr. Sarath Weerasekara said. "The passing of a new constitutional amendment is the only remaining recommendation to be followed," he further said adding that he has notfied President Maithripala Sirisena in this regard.

Twenty-five Sri Lankan fishermen were arrested by Indian Navy personnel over charges of poaching in Indian waters yesterday (Feb 18). The fishermen were arrested at around 7 am yesterday along with five fishing boats that they were used by them to carry out fishing activities. The suspects will be produced before the Indian Police via the Indian Coast Guard Unit while the boats have been sent to the Karaikal Fishing harbour.

State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake who elaborated more on his recent statement that there were Ministers who used cocaine said there were 24 of them who consume such drugs. Mr. Ramanayake said he had given all the information to the CID. The State Minister told a media conference that there were cabinet ministers, former cabinet ministers, provincial council members and members of local bodies who consumed cocaine. He said there was an MP who consumed cocaine before coming inside the Parliament.

Four individuals have died while 19 have been hospitalised following an accident involving a bus at the Marawila-Mahaweva junction at around 4:30 am today (Feb 18). The accident had occured when the driver had lost control of the vehicle thereby causing it to strike an electric transformer after veering off the road. The bus is reported to have been travelling from Vavuniya towards Colombo.

The government will obtain a US$ 48 million credit line from India for the development of Kankesanthurai Port, an official said yesterday. Secretary to the Northern Development V. Sivagnanasothy told the Daily Mirror that the Cabinet approval had been secured to proceed with the development of this port in the north for commercial purposes. He said further talks would be conducted with the Indian authorities for the development of it.

TNA parliamentarian M A Sumandiran has lauded the Prime Minister's public remark admitting that both parties committed mistakes during the war.Mr. Sumandiran addressing a gathering in Vavuniya said the Prime Minister had admitted that both the LTTE and the Sri Lankan security forces had committed mistakes during the final phases of the war. He also pointed out that it had taken 10 years to admit that mistakes had taken place on both factions involved in the war.

A petition was filed by the Sathya Gaveshakayo Organisation (Truth Seekers) in the Supreme Court today requesting an order directing the Election Commission to hold the election for Provincial Councils (PC) immediately. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, convener of the organization, Attorney-at-Law Premnath Dolawatte said that they hope an order would be given by the Supreme Court within two months.

President Maithripala Sirisena says the United National Party (UNP) is not being led by the party leader. Speaking at an event today, the President said that this year is an election year and a new Government is expected to be appointed. He said this while speaking at the 22nd Annual Conference of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna held in Colombo today. The President

Tamil National Alliance MP S. Sritharan, who is preparing to travel to Geneva to attend the United Nation Human Right Council (UNHRC) session, said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe

Key forensic reports of carbon dating compiled by a US-based forensic agency, on the human skeletons recovered from Sri Lanka

A commemoration event remembering Tamil journalist P.Sathiyamoorthi, who was killed in No Fire Zone due to Govt Forces shelling, was held today at Jaffna by fellow journalists & media workers. A book consist of articles written by his colleagues on journalistic career was released.

Senior United Nations officials in Colombo have raised issue with President Maithripala Sirisena over an incident in Jaffna late last year. They had complained earlier that two persons, who claimed they were from the Army, had entered the residence of a UN official in the Jaffna District. One had pointed a pistol and alleged that they were conducting an investigation against the official concerned. They are also alleged to have threatened the official. The incident had reportedly taken place on November 27 last year.

Two senior Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officials will fly to Dubai on a fact-finding mission over the arrest of millionaire drug lord Makandure Madush. A senior Police official who did not want to be identified said the visit was strictly to determine facts since there had been a series of conflicting reports.

A team of International Monetary Fund (IMF) officials arrived in Colombo last week to discuss the USD 260 million loan which has been sought by Sri Lanka. The team has begin talks in this regard with the Central Bank, Treasury, and the Finance Ministry.The IMF has already approved a loan of USD 105 million out of which four tranches have already been obtained. The fifth tranch which was expected to be given to Sri Lanka last November was suspended due to the political crisis in the country.

In the event Mahinda Rajapaksa proposes Maithripala Sirisena

The European Union (EU) reiterated the need to repeal and replace Sri Lanka

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday there was no point in asking for more powers if the local bodies don't use what is already devolved to the Provincial Councils. He said this at the development review meeting held at the Kilinochchi Divisional Secretariat. The Prime Minister referred to power devolution when TNA MP S. Sridharan complained that the pradeshiya sabhas have not received funds for housing from the central government and the provincial council.