Ven. Theripehe Siridhamma Thera sacked

The patron of the “Siyane Jalaya Surakeeme Jana Neguma,” Ven. Theripehe Siridhamma Thera, had been asked to resign that position, Convener of the organization Pramitha Hettiarachchi said on Wednesday at a media conference held at the “Sanasa” Hall in Gampaha.

US Senate reaches deal to end shutdown

Senate leaders announced on Wednesday that they have reached a deal to end the government shutdown and avoid a possible U.S. default, NBC reported.

Meeting of Indian and SL fishermen reps soon: Narayanasamy

In the backdrop of repeated attacks on Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan authorities and the heat it generated in Tamil Nadu, the Centre plans to organize a meeting of fishermen representatives of both the countries to find an amicable solution over fishing in Palk Strait, minsiter of state in PMO V. Narayanasamy said today

MSD vehicle mishap injures Three PCs, woman

Three Ministerial Security Division Police Constables providing security to Minister Segu Dawood and a woman were injured when a back up vehicle in the minister’s security detail ran off the road last night and crashed into the fence of a livestock farm at Gallella in Polonnaruwa on the Colombo – Batticaloa road

Police want Ranil’s secretary

The Police Department was searching for UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Secretary Sudath Chandrasekera and a former opposition leader of the Western Provincial Council, Kithsiri Kahatapitiya to arrest over the attack on the Matara protest on October 5, Police spokesman said today.

Britain demands 'concrete progress' on SL rights

Britain's top envoy to Sri Lanka Wednesday announced the British government will use next month's Commonwealth summit to pressure host Colombo to make "concrete progress" on human rights and probe alleged war crimes.

Muslims urged to avoid animal sacrifices on Poya day

Sri Lankan Muslim clerics are encouraging worshippers to refrain from offering animal sacrifices a day after Eid Al Adha celebrations which coincides with the Buddhists religious Poya day

Four SSPs, five SPs transfered

Four SSPs and five SPs have been transferred on the orders of the Secretary to the Ministry of Law & Order based on exigencies of service, police said

Four detained under NSA for duping 15 SL Tamils

Four men, including three Sri Lankan Tamils, arrested last month by the ‘Q’ branch personnel in Coimbatore for duping 15 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees from various camps, have been detained under the National Security Act (NSA)

Eight protesters arrested over Manmohan's CHOGM visit

Eight people were arrested for illegally locking Central Government offices in Chennai last night, protesting against Indian Prime Minister's scheduled visit to Colombo to take part in Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, police sources said

Direct indictment on Tangalle PS Chairman

The Attorney General is to dispatch indictments on Thursday on six people including the Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Sampath Chandra Pushpa Vidanapathirana who stands accused in the killing of British tourist Khuram Shaikh and causing grievous bodily harm on his girlfriend

Monkeys found dead in Balangoda

A troupe of 48 monkeys was found suspiciously dead in Kaltota, Balangoda today. The monkeys are suspected to have been poisoned by some enraged villagers as these monkeys have been a menace to their cultivations

Customs tightens grip

Passengers arriving from Mumbai and Chennai would be subjected to heavy scrutiny by the Sri Lanka Customs, Customs spokesman Leslie Gamini said

Video: UNP reforms: Proposals to be scrutinized

Two sets of proposals put forward by UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and the party’s Bhikkhu wing will be discussed further, MP Sajith Premadasa said after the meeting between Mr. Wickremesinghe and Karu Jayasuriya and him this evening ???

Another 33 deportees arrive

A group of 33 asylum seekers who were deported from Christmas Island, Australia arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake today in a special flight under heavy security

Prince Charles due here on Nov. 14

Prince Charles and Camilla are scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka on November 14 to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo, foreign media reported today.

Mangala out on bail

UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera and two others who surrendered to court this morning were released with two suties of Rs 100,000 each by the Matara Magistrate today.

SL still has ‘serious levels’ of hunger- study

Sri Lanka still has ‘serious levels’ of hunger and stood at the 43 position on the Global Hunger Index 2013.The number of hungry people has dropped in India with its score on the Global Hunger Index improving to 63rd position in 2013

Video: Mangala is innocent: Ranil

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today claimed UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera was innocent and alleged that the government had manipulated the list of those to be arrested by preparing a list which was different to that mentioned in court

SEC gives Rs. 5 mn to 'Tharunyata Hetak'

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) confirmed yesterday that it provided Tharunyata Hetak movement monies close to five million rupees, for “awareness creation regarding capital markets."

Crucial UNP meetings begin

The UNP’s factions today will have a series of meetings prior to the final meeting scheduled to be held this evening among UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa and Karu Jayasuriya.

CHOGM: Singh to decide after considering relevant factors

Breaking his silence over India’s participation in the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting scheduled at Colombo next month, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said a decision would be taken only after considering all relevant factors, including sentiments of Tamil people

Mangala surrenders

UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera had surrendered to the Matara police through his lawyer a short while ago. He is to be produced before the Matara Magistrate today.

Navy arrests 37 Indian fishermen and 9 trawlers

Thirty-seven Indian fishermen in nine trawlers were detained by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly intruding into Sri Lankan waters yesterday, navy spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said

Video: Siridhamma Thera says he is not a traitor

Rathupaswala temple Chief Incumbent Ven. Theripehe Siridhamma Thera, who was reported to have gone missing yesterday held a media conference in Gampola saying he was not a traitor as termed by certain individuals

Mangala to surrender

UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera and others will surrender to the Matara Police station at 8 a.m. tomorrow, the lawyer appearing on behalf of Samaraweera told Daily Mirror online

Two students drown

Two thirteen-year-old students drowned in Vilathalawa Lake this evening while they were in search of flowers for the Teacher’s Day ceremony to be held tomorrow

Trinco students’ killing: STF personnel granted bail

The 13 STF personnel who were remanded on charges of having been involved in the January 2006 killing of five students in Trincomalee were granted bail by the Trincomalee High Court Judge R. Amila Ranaraja today

Mangala can be arrested if there is evidence: Magistrate

Matara Magistrate Wasantha Ramyakumara directed the Police to arrest UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera and ten others if there was sufficient evidence.

Customs chief released on bail

Former Customs Preventive Chief Ranjan Kanagasabai had been released on bail by the Colombo High Court today. He was released on two sureties of Rs. 500,000 each.