Tissa sworn in as Health Minister

Former General Secretary of the United National Party Tissa Attanayake, who  crossed over to the Government, sworn in as the Minister of Health a short while ago at the president’s House in Kandy.

14 Lankans miss passport at Marina

Fourteen Sri Lankan nationals, including two of them permanently settled in Germany and the UK,  lost their passports on the Marina Beach on Tuesday night. The group, along with police, swept through the entire beach, not sparing even garbage bins, till the wee hours of Wednesday, searching for the backpack in which they had kept their passports, but to no avail.

Protests against MR unfair: BJP

BJP Tamil Nadu leader L. Ganesan on Thursday said the protests against President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to Tirupati was unfair as it was not ethical to prevent somebody from pursuing one’s personal belief.

Fishermen go on strike

Fishermen of Nagapattinam, Karaikal and Pudukottai districts began an indefinite strike from Wednesday, demanding the release of the arrested fishermen and seized boats by the Sri Lankan Navy.

Tissa to be sworn in as Health Minister?

The former General Secretary of the United National Party, Tissa Attanayake, who recently crossed over to the Government, would be sworn in as a Minister this morning (11) before President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Government sources said.

Video: Ranjith S. blames social media for rumours

Telecommunication and Information Technology Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said yesterday he had no intention of quitting the government accused the social media of spreading rumours that he would cross over to the opposition.

No ‘Computer Gilmart’: Maitripala

Common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena said the President’s reference to a ‘computer gilmart’ at a recent meeting with the electoral organisers of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLPF) was inappropriate as the head of the state.

Football Federation CEO assaulted

Anura de Silva, CEO, Football Federation of Sri Lanka suffered severe head injuries when an unidentified man attacked him on the back of his head with a hockey stick at the FFFSL headquarters at around 7 p.m today.

Our fishermen treated well by SL-Swaraj

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Wednesday that whenever the Indian fishermen were detained by the Sri Lankan authorities, they were treated in a humane and pragmatic manner and were released expeditiously.

Australia policy not changed on people smuggling: Gen. Angus Campbell

Australian government policy on combatting maritime people smuggling had not changed, a top Australian border official said.

Wisden Lanka launched

Wisden, the unique brand of cricket publication made its entry into Sri Lanka today with the aim of providing quality cricket reading to the cricket fans in the island.

Digambaram, Radhakrishnan for Maithri

Former Deputy Ministers P. Digambaram of the National Workers Union and V. Radhakrishnan of Upcountry People's Front have pledged their support to common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena.

Radhakrishnan resigns

Botanical Gardens and Public Recreation Deputy Minister V. Radhakrishnan submitted his resignation a short while ago.

US issues travel advisory on SL

The United States advised on its citizens in Sri Lanka to avoid political rallies and demonstrations, during the Presidential Election campaign period.

Digambaram relinquishes portfolio

National Languages and Social Integration Deputy Minister P. Digambaram of the National Workers Union has resigned from his portfolio this morning, the party spokesman said.

MR returns

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who visited the Lord Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, India returned this morning, sources said.

Chandralal to remain silent

Matara Municipal Council UPFA member Raj Chandralal said he would keep silent until the presidential election was over but said his decision to back common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena had not changed.

Indian Naval ship 'Sukanya' arrives in Colombo

The Indian Naval Ship 'Sukanya' arrived at the Port of Colombo for logistic support on 09th December 2014. It was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions on arrival.

MR offers prayers at Tirupati

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Wednesday offered prayers at the Lord Venkateswara Temple here, where he performed Suprabhatam, the first temple service of the day.

Attack on Maithri's vehicle: woman gets 6 years RI

The woman -- who pleaded guilty to the charge of having provided accommodation to a female LTTE suicide cadre who blasted an explosive-laden jacket at the vehicle escorting former minister Maithripala Sirisena -- was sentenced to six years rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs.50,000 on October 9, 2008.

Two killed, 13 injured in head-on collision

An 18-months-old infant and another person were killed and 13 injured in a head-on collision between a van and a lorry near Radawadunna in Nittambuwa this morning, Police said

Two jumbos killed in train accident

Two wild elephants were killed when they were hit by the Jaffna-Colombo night mail train at Kasikote in Ambanpola, Police said.

Tissa says UNP hijacked by outsiders

Former United National Party (UNP) General Secretary and national list parliamentarian Tissa Attanayaka yesterday maintained that he was still an UNPer and had decided to support President Mahinda Rajapaksa to save the UNP from those who had hijacked the party.Former United National

MR deserves a third term - Malsha Kumaranatunga

Western Provincial Councillor Malsha Kumaranatunga asserts that she and her father have no intention of crossing over from the ruling UPFA  government.

Maithripala promises to appoint commission to look into corruption

Common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena who kicked off his campaign in Kandy today pledged to appoint a special commission to look into corruption by the leaders of the present regime if he is elected.

43 Indian fishermen, five trawlers apprehended by SL Navy

Forty three Indian fishermen and five fishing trawlers found poaching in the Sri Lankan waters had been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in the seas off Kankesanthurai, this evening.

Curiosity Rover finds new evidence of water on Mars

New information from NASA's Curiosity Rover suggests that Mars may once have had large, long-lasting lakes above ground. That would challenge the more popular theory that water on the planet was only underground, or only appeared in a few areas for a short amount of time.

MR leaves for India

President Mahinda Rajapaksa left for India on a private tour this afternoon, Presidents’ Media Spokesman Mohan Samaranayake said.

SL Navy denies attack on Indian fishermen

Sri Lanka Navy today denied any involvement in the alleged attacks, chasing and damaging 20 fishing nets of the Tamil Nadu fishermen, Navy Spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said.

Somarathna backs Maithri

While charging that President Mahinda Rajapaksa was leading the country towards a corrupt and authoritarian state, veteran film Director Somarathna Dissanayake said that he would support common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena at the upcoming Presidential Election for a country free of corruption.