Mobile phones banned for passenger bus crew

Bus drivers would be banned from using mobile phones while driving from tomorrow, Transport Minister Kumara Welgama said

CHOGM holiday for universities

The University Grants Commission (UGC) today announced that an eight-day vacation would be given to all universities countrywide starting Saturday, due to requests made by many undergraduates in light of the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

Video: Insufficient stocks of crude oil at SOR

The Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery may have close down by November 10 because the current crude oil stocks would only last till then, employees said today.

Sridharan’s staff discharged

Colombo Additional Magistrate Nirosha Fernando today discharged TNA Parliamentarian S. Sridharan’s private secretary and two others.

SL welcomes scrapping of UK visa bond proposal

The Sri Lankan government said today that it welcomed the decision by the United Kingdom to ‘scrap the proposed introduction of a bond to visitors of six countries termed ‘high risk’ and said that it appreciated the removal of such proposed “discriminatory restrictions” for travel

Macrae gets visa to visit SL

Callum Macrae, the director of the controversial Channel-4 films has been granted a Visa to enter the country to cover the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) along with a Channel 4 crew, the Minsitry of Mass Media & Information said today.

Australian Senator to investigate SL asylum seekers

An Australian Senator Lee Rhinannon says she wants to investigate issues behind the influx of asylum seekers from Sri Lanka to Australia and thereafter submit a detailed report to the Australian parliament.

No UK business representation at CHOGM-UK

Britain said that there will be no UK business representation at the upcoming meeting of Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM), to be held in Sri Lanka this month, the House of Commons was informed.

SL to import 100 Toyota Cars from Pakistan

Sri Lanka has concluded an agreement to purchase 100 cars manufactured by Toyota Pakistan, the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Pakistan Jayalath Weerakkody said.

SL cries foul over EU action

The Sri Lankan government asked why the European Union (EU) did not take action on India for failing to stop its fishermen poaching in Sri Lanka’s territorial waters.

One arrested over Anuradhapura killings

A suspect was arrested in connection with the gruesome killings in Halmillakulama this afternoon, police said

I did not betray the party members: Karu

UNP Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya today denied allegations that he had betrayed party members

Couple gets death sentence

A husband and wife were sentenced to death by the Colombo High Court today after being convicted of trafficking 34.32 grammes of heroin in 2000

Navy denies Indian media reports

While categorically denying Indian News media reports, the Sri Lanka Navy said that 30 Indian fishermen were arrested within the framework of existing international maritime law and handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Jaffna.

SL navy participates in joint Indo-SL sea exercise

Sri Lanka Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessel, SLNS Sagara participates in the joint maritime fleet exercise, ‘SLINEX 2013’, conducted in the seas off Goa in India from November 04th to 08th 2013

Large haul of heroin nabbed at BIA

A person carrying a foreign diplomatic passport was arrested today at the Bandaranaike International Airport with more than 30 kilogrammes of heroin, the Customs said Pictures

Video: Intermittent Road closures

Several roads in Colombo are expected to be closed for short time spans and such closures will be confined to the period during which the Commonwealth leaders travel, the Police said

Two army officers killed in road tragedy

A Lance Corporal and a soldier were killed and three others injured in a road accident at Kilinochchi early this morning, Police said

New Rs.500 notes for CHOGM

New 500-rupee currency notes with the CHOGM-Sri Lanka logo would be released for circulation from November15 to mark the CHOGM, the Central Bank said

A family of five hacked to death

Three women and two men belonging to one family were hacked to death in their house at Halmillakulama in Anuradhapura last night, police said

HC seeks government's view on memorial for SL Tamils

The Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) has sought the State Government’s view on a petition filed by World Tamil Confederation leader Pazha Nedumaran seeking permission to inaugurate a memorial for the Tamils killed in Mullaivaikkal during the end stage Eelam War in Sri Lanka in May 2009

Suspect’s bail plea dismissed in SL team attack

A division bench of the Lahore High Court on Monday dismissed as withdrawn a bail petition of Malik Ishaq of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (formerly Lashkar-e-Jhangvi) facing abetment charges in the Sri Lankan cricket team attack case

No visa for SL war documentary maker-India

India has denied a visa to Callum Macrae, the director of a documentary that exposed war crimes in Sri Lanka

Govt. to seek direction on 18A from SC

The government is to seek an interpretation on the 18th Amendment to the Constitution from the Supreme Court regarding the time period during which a Presidential Election could be held during the second term of office of the incumbent.

35 schools closed for CHOGM

The government has decided to close 29 schools in the Colombo city from November 6 to 19 in view of the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled to be held in Colombo, the Ministry of Education said

Sharma defends CHOGM in SL

The selection of Sri Lanka as the location for the biennial Commonwealth summit has been defended by Commonwealth secretary-general Kamalesh Sharma.

Video: Ranil says he has taken a historic decision

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said that he had made a historic decision to handover powers to the leadership council. ???

Nine dead in Bandarawela bus tragedy

At least nine people were killed and more than 20 injured following the accident which occurred in Bandarawela this evening when a bus plying on the Bandarawela- Punagala route skidded off the road and plunged into a precipice at Punagala.

Video: Sajith refuses to accept appointment

UNP MP Sajith Premadasa who was clamoring for substantial reforms refused to be in the council claiming that the leadership council did not represent wide sections of the party ???

Video: UNP WC approves 9-member leadership council

The Working Committee of the United National Party today approved the leadership council comprising nine members with Ranil Wickremesinghe being elevated to the position of ‘national leader’ of the party ???