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.

I didn't influence Embilipitiya widow: Ven. Omalpe Thera

Rejecting allegations that Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera influenced the widow of Embilipitiya man, who died in a fall, by giving her money, the Thera said he only tried to help the woman after a donor from England offered to donate money to the victim’s family.

Magistrate wants medical report on Sicille Kotalawela

Court today directed the Durdans Hospital Director to provide a detailed medical report by February 8 as to why Lalith Kotalawela's wife Sicille, who faces charges of misappropriating Rs.4.3 billion at F&G Property Developers, should be treated at a private hospital and not at the Colombo National Hospital.

SL-born CEO to receive $11.1 million in one-time payout

Sri Lankan-born Alere CEO Namal Nawana would receive about $11.1 million in one-time payouts after the Alere’s acquisition completed by Abbott Laboratories, according to media reports.

Jet crew suspended for letting Sonu Nigam sing on a flight

Jet Airways has suspended the crew of a flight for letting Indian Singer Sonu Nigam, 42, use the public announcement system on a plane for an impromptu concert, Indian media reported today.

Sushma Swaraj arrives

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake today on a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka.

Prince Zeid to visit Jaffna, Trinco

Visiting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein is scheduled to visit Jaffna, Trincomalee and Kandy in addition to Colombo, UN compound in Sri Lanka announced today.  

Kumar Gunaratnam re-remanded

Senior member of Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) Kumar Gunaratnam was further remanded till February 15 by Kegalle Magistrate Prasanna Alwis today.  

Neville F'do Hospital offered to Govt. by chairman

The Chairman of the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) in Malabe, Dr. Neville Fernando yesterday said he offered the ‘Dr. Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital’ to President Maithripala Sirisena to be used as a semi-government hospital.

El Nino has intensified dry spell: Met Dept.

The current dry spell experienced in the country is a result of the EL Nino phenomenon, the Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

Spain reports first known European case of Zika-infected pregnant woman

Spain reported Thursday that a pregnant woman who had returned from Colombia had been diagnosed with the Zika virus, in the first such known European case.

Passenger missing after mysterious mid-air explosion

A passenger on the flight forced to land at Somalia's Mogadishu airport after a large hole appeared in the fuselage has been confirmed missing by the airline

CID probes FB threats against President

The CID has launched an investigation into the recent publication of death threats and defamatory remarks against President Maithripala Sirisena via social media websites including Facebook by several people including women, Police said today.

Xi Jinping willing to work with Sirisena

Chinese President Xi Jinping has said he is willing to work with Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena to further promote the strategic partnership between the two countries, Xinhua news agency reported.

Sicille Kotelawala arrested at BIA

Former Ceylinco Chairman Lalith Kothelawala’s wife Sicille Kotelawala was arrested by the Immigration and Emigration Department officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport this afternoon on her arrival from Dubai.

Fmr Embilipitiya ASP moved to Prison Hospital

Former Embilipitiya ASP D.W.C. Dharmaratne who was in remand in connection with the death of a young man at Embilipitiya has been transferred to the Kuruwita Prison Hospital. The ASP was remanded until February 17 by the Embilipitiya Magistrate.