Indian tribunal revokes ban on Lankan docu-drama

Sri Lankan film Muttrupulliya, a docu-drama that portrays the life of the Tamil ethnic population in post-war, has won its appeal with the Indian Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in Chennai refused to certify it.  

Two arrested with gold worth Rs. 34.5 mn in Jaffna

Two persons were arrested by the Navy when they attempted to smuggle out 6.94 Kg of gold worth Rs. 34.5 million to India yesterday at Madugal, Jaffna.

Ray Tomlinson, email inventor dies aged 74

Ray Tomlinson, the inventor of email and the man who picked the @ symbol for addresses, has died aged 74.

Malinga requests to step down as WT20 captain

Lasith Malinga has requested Sri Lanka cricket allow him to step down as captain for the WT20 series citing knee injuries.

Carrots have been dangled

While questioning how the statements of the youth into the Rajagiriya accident were changed after four days later from the first statement, the Lawyers Collective member Namal Rajapaksha said some politicians have attempted to gain political mileage by bribing these youth.

Gammanpila says Indian High Commissioner should be removed

Opposition MP and Pivithuru Hela Urumaya general secretary, Udaya Gammanpila yesterday asked President Maithripala Sirisena to request the Indian government to recall its High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Y.K. Sinha, for what he called 'interference in domestic affairs.'

Former US First Lady Nancy Reagan dies at 94

Nancy Reagan, the former actress who was fiercely protective of husband Ronald Reagan through a Hollywood career, eight years in the White House, an assassination attempt and Alzheimer’s disease, died Sunday at age 94, the Reagan library said.

Independence Square /Lewd behavior not allowed: Navinna

Cultural Affairs Minister S.B. Navinna said lewd behaviour was not allowed in and around Independence Square in Colombo because it was a public place.

‘Occupy the Square’ against removal of couple

A large gathering today staged a protest at the Independence Square in Colombo, against firm action taken by two security guards to evacuate a couple from the premises.

HIV rumor: CTU asks Akila to be more sensitive

Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU) today condemned Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam’s statement, where he called for the separation of the child in Kuliyapitiya from his mother, after being denied a school due to rumours of his mother being HIV positive.

Minor tremor felt in Balangoda

Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GMSB) said a minor tremor has been recorded in Balangoda, a short while ago.

Govt. should seek views of all parties on ETCA with India: MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today urged the government to table the Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) in parliament, and seek the views of the trade chambers, professional associations and the general public before making a decision to enter into the agreement.

Govt. should send Sandeep abroad: Gammanpila

The government should send Sandeep Sampath Gunawardena, the victim of the hit and run accident allegedly involving Megapolis and Western Development Minister Champika Ranawaka, overseas for further treatment, MP Udaya Gammanpila said.

President instructs Security forces to eradicate underworld menace

President Maithripala Sirisena today instructed Police and Security forces to eliminate underworld activities which have spread across the country.

29 Indian fishermen arrested in SL waters

Sri Lanka Navy yesterday assisted the Sri Lanka Coast Guard to arrest twenty-nine Indian fishermen along with four fishing trawlers while poaching in Sri Lankan waters in two separate incidents in Talaimannar and Kudiremalai.

New programmes to reduce gang related activities

The Police Department has launched a number of special programs to eradicate serious crimes and drugs rackets after an increase in underworld activities were reported in the past few days.

Govt. will eradicate the underworld- Ruwan

The government will take necessary steps to eradicate the ‘underworld’ from Sri Lanka which has been involved in a number of recent murders, State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardena said yesterday.

I am innocent, Douglas Devananda tells Madras High Court

Former minister Douglas Devananda on Saturday told the sessions court in Chennai in a video-conference trial that he was in way connected with the killing of a man at Choolaimedu in south Chennai and sought discharge from the murder charge registered against him by the police for that shooting incident three decades ago.

Navy arrest 17 illegal migrants heading to Australia

Seventeen Sri Lankans who were heading towards Australia illegally were arrested by the Navy yesterday in the seas off the Galle lighthouse.

Indian envoy ‘surprised’ over MR's comments against ETCA

India’s High Commissioner Y.K. Sinha has taken on former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Joint Opposition, an informal coalition of pro-Rajapaksa parties and groups, over the proposed Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) between India and Sri Lanka.

Pregnant woman shot at Welikada

A pregnant woman was injured when two gunmen arrived on a motorbike opened fire at her, who was with an old woman and child, just opposite the Welikada Prison in Borella this evening. 

IMF delegation due here by mid-March

Against the backdrop of increased liabilities of the government, a delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is due here by mid this month to carry out a forensic audit on the arrears and other liabilities of the government, it is learnt.

Swiss NGOs warn ‘too early’ to send SL asylum seekers home

Some Swiss non-governmental groups said it was still much too early for asylum seekers to go back to Sri Lanka whereas Sri Lanka’s foreign minister promised his citizens living in Switzerland a safe return to the island during his recent visit to Bern, Swiss media reported.

Malaysia may look to Sri Lanka for security guards

The ruling that only Nepalis can be hired as security guards may soon be lifted to allow foreigners from other source countries such as Sri Lanka to take on the job.

49-year-old man shot at in Baddegama

A 49-year-old man was injured when he was shot at by two gunmen who arrived on a motorcycle at Delgaha Handiya in Baddegama last night, Police said.

Chief of Staff for parliament

A new post of Chief of Staff has been created in Parliament for the first time in its history with Deputy Secretary General Neil Iddawala being appointed to this post.

Trains delayed as car travels on railway track

Four scheduled trains on the main railway line were delayed early yesterday from 3.30 am as a small car was travelling along the railway track towards Giriulla from Mirigama, the railways Transport superintendent office said.

Capital gains tax to be reintroduced

After taking stock of the economy in the backdrop of the uncertain global environment, the Cabinet, at a special meeting yesterday, approved new tax reforms including the introduction of Capital Gain Tax to arrest the gradual decline of state revenue.

Acting IGP seeks report over allegations on Champika

Two eyewitnesses of the controversial Rajagiriya accident had arrived at the Police Head Quarters today and handed over a written complaint where they had stated that the driver of the jeep at the time of the accident was Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka.

Lawyers say police using faulty breathalyzers

Lawyers for Good Governance have complained to Government Analyst Sakuntala Tennakoon that the measures used by the Police to identify drunken drivers were not accurate.