Rail-bus service inaugurated in Kandy

The rail-bus service between Kandy and Peradeniya was inaugurated last morning by Transport Services and Civil Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva.

President to visit Sanchi

President Maithripala Sirisena would visit Bhopal on May 14 to visit Sanchi, the world-famous Buddhist heritage site in Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh, Indian media reported.

JVP denies reports of divisions among comrades

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today vehemently denied the reports which said the party is cracking as a result of divisions among its top brass.

SLC considers incorporation

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced that it was engaged in a transformation of the establishment, leading to constitutional changes, and possibly incorporation.

Mathews not in favour of points system

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews has questioned plans to introduce a points system for his side’s upcoming tour of England.

Lightning kills four jumbos

Three baby elephants and a tusker were killed by lightning at Mahawilachchiya, Anuradhapura yesterday.

President to meet Modi

President Maithripala Sirisena will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his two-day visit to India on May 13.

One dead, one injured when wall collapses on a group of students

A 14-year-old boy died and another was injured when a wall collapsed on a group of students near the ninth mile post on the Siyambalanduwa-Ampara Road yesterday.

Torture still continues in Sri Lanka - UN official

A UN official slammed Sri Lanka’s criminal justice system today, accusing police of sexually abusing suspects and still using torture seven years after the end of its ethnic war, AFP reported.

SC orders AG to look at possibility of recruiting SAITM graduates

The Supreme Court yesterday directed the Attorney General to look into the possibility of recruiting medical graduates passed out from the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) in Malabe as government doctors.

SL Navy exports 9 Patrol Craft to Nigeria

Sri Lanka navy yesterday sold 9 small patrol craft, indigenously built by the Inshore Patrol Craft Project of the Navy established at Welisara, to the Nigerian Government.

TN govt. failed to protect fishermen’s interests: DMK

DMK leader M.K. Stalin said that the AIADMK government had failed to find a lasting solution to the fishermen issue, despite promising to protect their livelihood and retrieve Katchatheevu in its 2011 election manifesto.

Girl cuts mother’s hand

A girl has allegedly injured her mother's hand by cutting it with a knife for reprimanding her over an illicit affair with a man, police said.

Arjuna and Marikkar in verbal battle

Ports Minister Arjuna Ranatunga and fellow government MP S.M.Marikkarwere engaged in a heated argument in Parliament yesterday.

Parliament SG must resign: JO

The joint opposition yesterday demanded the resignation of Parliament Secretary General Dammika Dassanayake over the confusion caused during the voting on the supplementary estimate on Thursday.

Gota, Namal to appear before PRECIFAC next week

Former defense secretary Gotahaya Rajapaksa and MP Namal Rajapaksa have been asked to report to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate and inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) next week.

US eases military trade restrictions on SL

The United States government has eased military trade restrictions imposed on Sri Lanka for over eight years, the U.S. Department of State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) announced.

Yoshitha's application to travel abroad declined by Courts

Yoshitha Rajapakse’s application for permission to travel abroad accompanying his father former President Mahinda Rajapakse to participate at celebrations relating to the assumption of duties of Ugandian President, was declined by Kaduwela Courts today.

A Rajapaksa politically victimizing me: Sajin

While claiming that he was not willing to be a state witness, former UPFA MP Sajin de Vass Gunawardena said today said one of the Rajapaksa’s was attempting to politically victimize him.

Korean attempts to smuggle S$40,000; fined Rs.18 mn

A 45-year-old Korean was arrested by Customs officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) early this morning while he was attempting to smuggle 40,000 Singapore Dollars’ worth Rs. 4.3 million to Korea.

Ragging incident: Uni. students remanded

The seven senior students of the Kelaniya University, who were arrested by the Kiribathgoda police yesterday for allegedly ragging first year students, were remanded by the Mahara Magistrate’s Court today.

Ramanna Nikaya Prelate asks MS to restore MR’s military security

Ramanna Nikaya Mahanayake Ven. Napana Premasiri Thera requested President Maithripala Sirisena to provide former president Mahinda Rajapaksa with military security as provided earlier.

Sonia, Rahul, Manmohan detained during protest

Members of the Congress party, including Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, party president Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, were detained by the police today.

57 ASPs promoted as SPs

Fifty seven Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs) have been promoted to the rank of Superintendents of Police (SPs) with effect from January 2016, sources said.

Parliament sitting suspended following tense situ.

Parliament sitting was suspended following a tense situation today when opposition MPs protested against yesterday’s vote on the supplementary estimate of Rs. 55 million.

12 SL asylum seekers deported from Australia

Twelve Sri Lankan Asylum seekers who were deported from Australia arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning, Immigration and Emigration media spokesman Lakshman Soysa said.

Maj. Gen. Sumith Manawadu passes away

Major General Sumith Manawadu (55) has passed away while receiving treatment at the National hospital, Colombo, this morning, Military Spokesman Brig. Jayanath Jayaweera said.

Decision over MR's security won't be reversed: Ruwan

State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene said the government’s decision to withdraw the army from the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s security division and deploy only the police would not be changed under any circumstance.

Supplementary estimate: Passage disputed

The total number of MPs' votes, for and against the supplementary estimate of Rs. 55 million, were found to be equal, after a perusal of the video footage, disputing the passage of it in the House.

Speaker to probe report leak

Speaker Karu Jaysuriya said today he would look into how the report of the committee that investigated violent scenes in Parliament was leaked to the media before it was presented in the House.