Bangladesh factory fire: 23 killed in Tongi

At least 23 people have been killed in a huge fire that broke out at a packaging factory in Bangladesh.

334 killings so far this year

A total of 334 killings were carried out in Sri Lanka from January to August this year, Parliament was informed yesterday. This was compared to 443 killings in 2015.

We should rise up for unity: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said today all Sri Lankans should rise up for unity just as late Anagarika Dharamapala said Sinhalese should rise to save their nation from the colonial powers.

Ranil vows to rescue country from debt trap

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today the government would rescue the country from the debt trap without leaving the challenge of resolving it to the future generations.

Severe weather advisory on strong winds

The Meteorology Department said today strong winds exceeding 60 kmph was expected in the Southern sea areas while fairly strong winds up to 50-60kmph could be expected over the island.

Northern expressway to be extended to Trinco: Kiriella

The Government has decided to extend the northern expressway up to Trincomalee via Dambulla and Habarana, Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella said yesterday.

Sri Lanka national with LTTE links deported from India

The Indian police yesterday deported Sudhan Subbiah (37), a Sri Lankan national having LTTE links.

President at UNP convention today

President Maithripala Sirisena will attend the 70th UNP convention which will begin at 9.30 am today (10) at Campbell Park Colombo, under the leadership of party leader Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe .

Probe on EX-IGP Balasuriya

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) has begun an investigation against former IGP Mahinda Balasuriya for abuse of power in providing police security to eight members of People’s Freedom Front (PFF).

Australia beat Sri Lanka, sweep series

Australia overcame a late challenge by hosts Sri Lanka to win the second T20 by four wickets, at the R. Premadasa Stadium, and win the two-match series.

Finance ministry officials blocking 90% tax on Tobacco, Cigerettes

Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said today certain officials in the Finance Ministry were sabotaging the government’s effort to control the use of tobacco and cigarettes by scuttling the cabinet proposal to increase tobacco tax to 90%.

AG indicts Tissa Attanayake

The Attorney General today indicted former United National Party (UNP) general secretary Tissa Attanayake in the Colombo High Court on charges of publishing a letter with forged signatures of the then common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena and the then opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe during the 2015 presidential election campaign.

Thajudeen’s body parts: EX-chief JMO seeks SC to prevent his arrest

The Supreme Court today fixed to be mentioned on September 23 the fundamental rights petition filed by Colombo's former JMO Ananda Samarasekera requesting Court to prevent his arrest in connection with the loss of Wasim Thajudeen's body parts.

Cache of ancient fire arms discovered in Matale

A cache of ancient fire arms were unearthed today during excavation work for the construction of the Matale District Administrative Complex, police said.

Travel ban on Abeygunawardane temporarily lifted

The travel ban imposed on MP Rohitha Abeygunawardane was temporarily lifted today by Colombo High Court Judge Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne.

Three sentenced to death in N’Eliya

Three people including a father and son were today sentenced to death by Nuwara-Eliya High Court judge Lalith Ekanayake on charges of having murdered a man on August 06, 2003 in Dayagama.

Two charged over assault on SL envoy at KLIA

Two men were charged in the Sessions Court in Sepang today with rioting and causing hurt on Sri Lanka High Commissioner in Malaysia Ibrahim Sahib Ansar last Sunday.

Bambalapitiya businessman killing: Another suspect remanded

Another suspect, who was arrested by the CCD in connection with the alleged abduction and killing of a Bambalapitiya businessman, was today ordered to be remanded till September 15 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Nishantha Peiris.

Sri Lankan refugees in HK sheltered Snowden

A group of Sri Lankan and Filipino refugees in Hong Kong had sheltered US whistleblower Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor, until he fled toRussia from Hong Kong, the New York Times reported on Wednesday.

Assault on HC to Malaysia: one suspect earlier arrested under PTA

One of the five suspects who had been arrested over the assaulting of Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, Ibrahim Ansar, at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, was reported to be a man who was arrested in Sri Lanka under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), the Joint Opposition said yesterday.

Indian arrested with Rs.10mn worth heroin at BIA

A 31-year-old Indian man was arrested by the Police Narcotic Bureau (PNB) officers yesterday while attempting to smuggle in heroin worth Rs.10 million to the country.

Northern resettlement to finish by next year

Resettlement of over 3,000 people displaced in the northern Jaffna will be completed by mid next year, an official has said, days after UN chief Ban Ki-Moon called for expediting reconciliation efforts with the minority Tamils.

Work to rule at SriLankan: Management not informed

Though the pilots of SriLankan Airlines had decided to conduct a work-to-rule campaign with effect from Thursday midnight, sources at SriLankan Airlines said its management had not been informed of the trade union's decision.

Monitoring mechanism to prevent abuse of news

Deputy Mass Media and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Karunaratne Paranawithana said yesterday that the government would set up a ‘Monitoring Mechanism’ for news broadcast and publications in the print and electronic media under the proposed ‘Press Commission’ to prevent the abuse of news in print and electronic media.

New premises for Foreign Affairs Ministry

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be relocated in a modern building in a plot of land about two acres in extent at Jawatta Road, Colombo.

Udayanga and his wife given ordinary passports

Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga and his wife have been given ordinary passports following the cancellation of their diplomatic passports, Parliament was informed yesterday.

Six year old girl found killed and buried

The body of a 6-year-old Vedda girl who is believed to have been murdered was found buried in the jungle near Neelankeni in Sampur today.

Bribery Com. files action against Aluthgamage

The Bribery Commission today filed action against former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage for allegedly using state funds to import game boards worth over Rs.53.1 million to be distributed in the run up to the 2015 Presidential Election campaign.  

JO urges Govt. to declare definite date for LG elections

The Joint Opposition today urged the Government to declare a definite date to hold the local government election despite making contradictory statements.

Kataragama Walli Guhawa Temple chief incumbent stabbed

Sella Kataragama Walli Guhawa Temple’s chief incumbent Ven. Rambukwelle Sangananda Thera has been hospitalized after being stabbed at the temple this evening, police said.