​President’s brother dies

President Maithripala Sirisena’s brother, Priyantha Sirisena (40) who was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Colombo following an axe attack, has succumbed to his injuries this morning, hospital sources said.

Some DPL passport holders asked to explain

The Defence and Urban Development Ministry is reviewing the issuance of DPL passports and have requested some of the DPL passport holders to explain the rationale for obtaining this class of travel document entailing many privileges, a senior Immigration and Emigration Department official said yesterday.

Doctors reattach school boy's severed forearm

Colombo National Hospital Doctors have successfully re-attached a 15-year-old boy’s right forearm after it was severed in an accident at Balummahara on Thursday, hospital sources said.

Sri Lanka to go tough on player fitness

Sri Lanka cricket coach Marvan Atapattu admitted that last year's hastily arranged five-match ODI series may have contributed towards a lack of fitness among team members and insisted that more emphasis must be placed on the fitness of the cricketers.

Bribery Commission questions Keheliya

Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was summoned by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption and questioned for hours today, reliable sources from the commission said.

Lightning strike leaves one dead, two injured

Lightning strikes have killed one man and left two others injured in Agalawatta, Pinnagoda today.

Priyantha Sirisena’s assaulter remanded

Don Nishan Lakmal Haputhanthri, who was arrested on charges of assaulting President’s brother Priyantha Sirisena was remanded till April 8 by Polonnaruwa Acting Magistrate Sarasi Iddawela this afternoon.  

'Evidence of mental illness' in Germanwings Co-pilot's house

The Germanwings co-pilot who crashed his plane into a mountain killing himself and 149 people on board was receiving psychiatric counselling right up until the time of the crash, it emerged today.

Malaka still can’t visit night clubs

A Colombo Court while relaxing some of the bail conditions imposed on former minister Mervyn Silva’s son Malaka with regard to the charges of attacking a foreigner at a night club further restrained him from visiting night clubs.

BC summons Wimal again

Former Minister and National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa was summoned to the Bribery Commission (BC) today, NFF Spokesman Mohammed Muzammil said.

SL contradicts Chinese claims on Port City

Deputy External Affairs Minister Ajith P. Perera today dismissed the statement made by his Chinese counterpart yesterday that the Chinese-funded Port city project will resume.  

FCID interrogates Ex-chief of defence staff

Former Chief of Defence Staff Roshan Gunathilake was interrogated by the Police Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) on the MiG aircraft transaction in 2006, Police Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Priyantha Sirisena in critical condition

President Maithripala Sirisena’s brother, Priyantha Sirisena who was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Colombo following an assault is reported to be in a critical condition.

​Dharmasena, Kettleborough umpires for WC final

Sri Lanka's Kumar Dharmasena and England’s Richard Kettleborough were today appointed on-field umpires for the ICC Cricket World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand on Sunday in Melbourne.

Indian Naval vessels to reach SL for drill today

Four Indian Navy vessels will arrive in Sri Lanka on Friday to hold a three-day training exercise for Lankan Navy personnel in the country's east coast.

Balachandran Jeyakumari’s daughter released

The Kilinochchi Magistrate yesterday ordered the release Balachandran Jeyakumari’s daughter Vibushika who was in the custody of the Mahadewa Children’s Home in Kilinochchi.

Briton dies while scuba diving

A 29-year-old Briton drowned in the sea off Ettukala in Negombo yesterday while he was practicing to scuba dive, Police said.    

New US Ambassador to SL nominated

President Barack Obama has nominated an Indian-American, a former official at its Embassy in New Delhi, as the next US ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives.

​Electoral reforms: Decision within 10 days

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday said a decision on the new electoral system would be taken by political parties within the next 10 days. 

Basil to return soon

Former economic development minister and UPFA MP Basil Rajapaksa has said that he would return to Sri Lanka soon and would assist in the ongoing police investigation into allegations made against him.

Attack on Priyantha Sirisena: suspect surrenders

Priyantha Sirisena, the brother of President Maithripala Sirisena was hospitalised with serious injuries after he was assaulted by an unknown person at Hathare Ela area in Polonnaruwa.

Three drown in Kalu Ganga

A 42-year-old woman and her two daughters aged 11 and 16 were drowned while bathing in Kalu Ganga near Palapitiyagoda in Kalutara this afternoon, the Police said.

Over 25 SLFP MPs attend Ratnapura rally

About 28 Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MPs and several ministers including Kumara Welgama, C. B Ratnayake and many others attended the Ratnapura rally organised today urging former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to be nominated as UPFA prime ministerial candidate.

CID records Mervyn’s statement

The CID has recorded a statement from former minister and UPFA MP Mervyn Silva today on the killing of Sunday Leader Newspaper Editor Lasantha Wickrematunga.

Germanwings plane crash: Co-pilot 'wanted to destroy plane'

The co-pilot of the Germanwings plane that crashed into the French Alps on Tuesday appeared to want to "destroy the plane", French officials said.

Australia beat India to reach final

Australia powered into the World Cup final with a 95-run victory over defending champions India in Sydney.

No agreement on 83 days of fishing: Ministry

The Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Ministry today denied the existence of an agreement with Indian fishermen to allow them to fish in Sri Lankan waters for 83 days of the year for the next three years.

Maldivian drug trafficker arrested at Dehiwala

A Maldivian drug dealer was arrested in Dehiwala last evening with 169 grams of heroin while he was staying at a hotel, police said.

SC rejects vehicle importers’ petition on tax

The Supreme Court today rejected a petition filed by vehicle importers against the Finance Ministry’s move to increase tax imposed on hybrid cars through the interim budget saying that it would adversely affect their industry.

Colombo Port City project back on track

China's biggest investment project in Sri Lanka, the Colombo Port City Project which was suspended for months by the new government is to continue, Assistant Minister of Chinese Foreign Affairs Liu Jianchao said.