Dimuth to lead SL cricket team in World Cup

Sri Lanka’s national selectors put to an end days of speculation by appointing batsman Dimuth Karunaratne as captain of the Sri Lankan ODI team. This means the left-hander will lead the national side in the upcoming World Cup in England, Cricbuzz reported.

Four flights diverted to MRIA due to bad weather

Three SriLankan flights and Qatar Airways flight which scheduled to arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), were diverted to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) this evening due to adverse weather conditions, MRIA manager Upul Kalansuriya said.

Will field a candidate who wins definitely: MR

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa today said they would field a candidate who can definitely win the presidential election.

SL reforming education to enhance creative, analytical skills: Mangala

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera, who is currently in the US, said the Sri Lankan Government is introducing curricular reforms in secondary education to enhance creative and analytical skills and technological interventions such as smart classrooms.

Education Ministry misuses Govt funds: Wijeyadasa tells PCoI

Former Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa has provided a statement to the Police Unit attached to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) to investigate allegations of large scale corruption between January 15, 2015 and December 31, 2018, last week.

Gota appears ready for a transformation: Vasu

Democratic Left Front (DLF) Leader and MP Vasudeva Nanayakkara yesterday said it appeared that former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa was ready for a transformation.

Lawyer among three arrested with ’ice’ in Kollupitiya

A lawyer and two others have been arrested for possession of drug, known as crystal methamphetamine (ice), during a raid in Kollupitiya early this morning, police said.

Ten killed in head-on collision in Mahiyanganaya

Ten people were killed and two others injured when a van they were travelling in collided head-on with a bus, near the Mahiyanganaya National College early this morning.

Madush’s cousin, five others detained at BIA after deported from Dubai

Six more of the individuals who were arrested along with drug kingpin Makandure Madush, were deported from Dubai last night, police said.

Schools start second term on Monday

The Education Ministry yesterday announced that all government and government-assisted private schools will begin their second term on Monday while Muslims schools will re-open on April 17 for their second term.

Recent power disruptions: Mainly due to delay in Uma Oya Project: Ravi

The cause for the recent power disruptions was due to the delay in launching the Uma Oya Hydropower project, Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake said after visiting the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project.

No change in Govt: Ajith P.

Referring to speculation that there would be change of Prime Minister shortly, Non-Cabinet Minister Ajith P. Perera said no such thing would happen as such an eventuality was not possible constitutionally.

1,270 drunk drivers arrested- 34,980 fined

Some 1,270 drunk drivers were arrested while 34,980 motorists were charged with traffic-related violations during a countrywide special operation carried out from April 11 to today, the Police said.

Soldier on duty killed in mini lorry crash in Wattappalai

An over speeding mini lorry (Canter) that was travelling in the general junction area of Wattappalai, Mullaittivu crashed into a military sentry point killing one soldier on duty and injuring another soldier this evening, Army said.

Accidents up by 8 percent in New Year period: CNH

The number of accidents reported to the Colombo National Hospital (CNH) during the New Year period had increased by 8% this year when compared with last year.

Two of same family killed in accident

A 22-year-old girl and a four and half year-old boy of the same family were killed when a three-wheeler collided head-on with a van at Kandalama on the Dambulla-Kandalama main roan this evening, Police said.

Met Dept. warns of heavy thundershowers

There is a likelihood of afternoon thundershowers over most parts of the island during the next few days, Department of Meteorology said today.

I am scared to bowl to Pandya at World Cup: Malinga

Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga said he would be scared to bowl to Hardik Pandya at the World Cup, Indian media reported.

Lightning kills three including two women in Jaffna

Three people including two women were killed when they were struck by lightning at Chunnakam, north of Jaffna police area last afternoon, Police said.

Lasantha’s murder: Civil lawsuit unsealed in US against Gota

A civil lawsuit has been unsealed by a US federal judge on Monday against former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa seeking damages for his alleged involvement in the killing of Lasantha Wickramatunga, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported on Monday.

Dutch youth dies in SL road accident

A 21-year-old Dutch youth was killed and his parents and sister were injured in a road accident in Matale on Sunday, NLTimes News reported today.

President leaves for India on private visit

President Maithripala Sirisena has left for India this morning for a private visit. President Sirisena is scheduled to visit and offer prayers to the Lord Venkateswara Temple at Tirumala tomorrow.

Billionaire pledges 100 mn euros to help rebuild historic cathedral

French billionaire François-Henri Pinault said Monday night he and his family will donate 100 million euros to help reconstruct the Notre Dame Cathedral, hours after a catastrophic fire tore through the historic structure, collapsing its spire and causing significant damage.

Four Lankans arrested by UK counter-terror police, released

Four Sri Lankan men who were arrested by counter-terrorism police hours after flying into the country have been released under investigation.

Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral is on fire

The spire atop the iconic Notre Dame cathedral collapsed amid a devastating fire at the Paris cathedral on Monday, just days before Easter Sunday.

941 drunk drivers arrested so far

A total number of 941 drivers have been arrested by the police during search operations carried out from 6 am on April 11 to 6 am on April 15 on charges of driving under the influence of liquor, police said.

10 including two cops assaulted in Kanthale

Two inspectors of police (IP) and eight others were injured when a group of men assaulted them at Batahathara in Kanthale last night, police said.

Four arrested with stolen gem worth Rs.25mn

Four suspects were arrested by the police along with a gem worth Rs.25 million which was stolen from a hotel in Negombo, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said today.

Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp all experiencing outages

Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp are all experiencing outages, with users across Europe and Asia reporting issues.

237 drivers arrested for drunk driving

A total number of 237 people have been arrested by the police across the country for driving under the influence of liquor during search operations carried out between 6 am yesterday (13) to 6 am today (14), the Police Media Unit said.