There is peace in the Country: Mahanayake to UNHR Chief

Malwatte Chapter Mahanayake Thera the Most Ven. Tibbatuwave Siddhartha Sri Sumangala Thera has told visiting UN Human Rights High Commissioner Prince Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein that the present government was striving hard to bring about reconciliation in the country.

Durdans Hospital submits medical report on Sicille Kotelawala

Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya today inspected the medical report submitted by the doctors of the Durdans Hospital on Mrs. Sicille Kotelawala in which they had said that they have no objections to transfer Mrs. Kotelawala to the Colombo National Hospital.  

Businessman arrested with €30,000 in rectum

A 55-year-old Sri Lankan businessman was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport today when he attempted to smuggle Euro 30,000, Customs Spokesman Leslie Gamini said.

UNP Working Committee to be reorganized

The working committee of the United National Party ( UNP) and its headquarters Sirikotha will be re-organized, the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe informed some members of the party on Saturday.

SF to be or not to be an MP: decision today

The decision on whether or not to appoint Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka as a member of parliament will taken today by the United National Party's working committee.

SL nominates Amari Wijewardena to UK

The government has nominated the Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC Chairperson Amari Wijewardena as the new Sri Lankan High Commissioner in London, UK, sources said.

FCID hands over files to AG

The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) has handed over files to the Attorney General on an investigation done on default loans at Lankaputhra Bank which had exceeded Rs 2 billion.

UNHRC chief turns down CV’s request

A request made by Northern Province Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran to intervene and release the LTTE suspects on remand was rejected by UNHRC Chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein today.

UNHRC Chief in Northern Province

United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner Prince Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein who is currently on a four day official visit to Sri Lanka undertook a visit to the Northern Province today where he met Provincial Governor H.M.G.S. Palihakkara and the Chief Mnister of the Province C.V. Wigneswaran.

Education Ministry to rope in Int’l Schools

The Ministry of Education would bring in new regulations for International Schools to bring the education of International Schools under the purview of the Education Ministry, Ministry Secretary W. M. Bandusena said.

Mrs. World arrives to crown Mrs. Sri Lanka

Marina Alekseychik, the winner of 2015 Mrs. World beauty pageant has arrived in Sri Lanka to attend the finals of Mrs. Sri Lanka for Mrs. World which is to be held on February 12 at Galadari Hotel.

India keen to establish refinery, bunkering operations in SL

India is keen to establish refinery and bunkering operations in Sri Lanka, Indian Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Saturday and hoped the country will once again be in a position to export petroleum products to Bangladesh with the commissioning of Paradip refinery in India.

CSN case: No one will interfere, says Sagala

The rule of law would be upheld when perusing the case against former President’s son Yoshitha Rajapaksa and the others at the Carlton Sports Network (CSN) without any intervention by President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe or any of the Cabinet Ministers, Minister of Law Order Sagala Ratnayake said in a statement today.

SB disappointed about Yoshitha’s situation

Social Empowerment and Welfare Minister S.B.Dissanayake said he was disappointed that Yoshitha Rajapakse, former President Mahinda Rajapakse’s son, was remanded.  

North Korea announces "successful" launch of satellite

North Korea has fired a long-range rocket, which critics say is a test of banned missile technology.

Thisara only SL player picked up at IPL auction

Even though 16 Sri Lankan cricket players were present at the Indian Premier League (IPL) which took place in Bengalaru yesterday, only Thisara Perera was picked up at 1 crore Indian Rupees.

Pick pocketed during coconut-dashing event

Several politicians including MP Dinesh Gunawardane, who took part in the joint opposition’s coconut-dashing event against the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), at the Seenigama Devalaya this morning, reportedly had their pockets picked during the event.

I will be listening to everything- Zeid

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, who arrived this morning, said that he would meet both the state and representatives from all communities and will be listening to everything they have to say.

India fully satisfied with SL’s works-Swaraj

Visiting Indian Foreign Minister Mrs. Sushma Swaraj says the government of India solidly thanks Sri Lanka for its policies behind the reconciliation and the development and also India are fully satisfied with the program of the new government of Sri Lanka.

'Indian fishermen destroying livelihood of SL fishermen'

Sri Lanka expects to obtain an undertaking from Indian Foreign Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to ban bottom trawling by Indian fishermen in Sri Lanka’s territorial waters, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry Mahinda Amaraweera said.

Taiwan earthquake: 230 pulled alive, many trapped

A 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck southern Taiwan early Saturday, toppling a complex of two high-rise residential buildings where rescuers pulled out more than 230 people. More are still believed to be trapped inside.

Joint Opp. dashes coconuts against FCID

The MPs of the Joint Opposition today dashed some 100,000 coconuts at the Seenigama Devalaya against the Financial Crime Investigations Division (FCID).

UNP, SLFP agreed on UN resolution

Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said the UNP and the SLFP were on the same wave length with regard to the Geneva resolution on Sri Lanka.

Zeid arrives in SL

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein arrived in Sri Lanka this morning on a four-day official visit.

Sri Lanka to rewamp bilateral ties with China

In a bid to revamp bilateral ties with China, two ministers will visit that country during the end of this month to hold talks with the Chinese leaders on all aspects of bilateral relations including matters pertaining to the presently stalled Colombo Port City Project, it is learnt.

Largest passenger cruise liner to arrive in Hambantota

The largest passenger cruise liner with 1176 persons on board and a crew of 600, will be berthed at the Hambantota Port from tomorrow (7), a statement said.

TN parties express concern over Maithripala's stand

DMK and MDMK today expressed concern over Sri Lankan President Maithiripala Sirisena's reported statement that his country's new constitution will not have the concept of 'Federation,' saying it will affect the ethnic Tamils.

Joint. Opp. wants to work independently

Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has been requested by Joint Opposition parliamentarians to allow them to work independently in Parliament, MP Kumara Welgama said today.

Appoint a competent AG soon, civil unions say

The National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) today urged the government to immediately appoint a talented and independent person to the post of Attorney General which was vacated by acting AG Suhada Gamlath.

Report on kidney racket handed over to minister

The investigative report, of the five-member committee appointed to look into the alleged kidney racket involving Sri Lankan doctors, was handed over to Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne a short while ago, the ministry said.