I am no dictator, says President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today that many people who called him a dictator were unmindful of the fact that they were using such slogans while being on a democratic platform which allowed them the freedom to express such opinions about the President of the country

India closely monitoring polls in North

The Indian Consul General in Jaffna said that India was closely monitoring the Northern Provincial Council elections

Dozens rescued after asylum boat capsizes

More than 100 asylum seekers have been rescued after their boat capsized off Christmas Island, the Sydney Morning Herald reported

Three Sri Lankan refugees to be deported

The Union government issued orders on Monday to deport three Lankan refugees, Eela Nehru, Senthuran and ‘Italia’ Rajan alias Sundarajan, from Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka

Manmohan mum on attending CHOGM

While thanking Sri Lanka’s External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris for the invitation to the upcoming Commonwealth Summit, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had remained noncommittal about attending the event to be held in Sri Lanka, the Indian Express reported

Video: NE airport place yet to be found

Difficulties in finding an appropriate place had delayed the proposed Nuwara Eliya Air Port project, President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said

Zuckerberg's Facebook hacked

A Palestinian researcher posted a message on Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's page last week after he says the site's security team didn't take his warnings about a security flaw seriously.

Some brands of milk powder free of DCD

The Health Ministry said yesterday that seven samples of milk powder, from the stock is stored in the Port, had been found to be free of DCD when tested by the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI). The stock was therefore fit for human consumption, it said.

‘SL compelled to adopt ‘deterrent mechanism’ against Indian fishermen’

Sri Lanka today informed the Indian Government that it was compelled to put in place an effective ‘deterrent mechanism’ which involves the arrest Indian fishermen, producing them in court and charging a fine, as Indian fishermen continue to cross over to Sri Lanka’s territorial waters.

Upcountry parties clash

Seven vehicles were damaged in a clash between the supporters of Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) and National Union of Workers (NUW) at Dimbulapathana a while ago, Nuwara Eliya police said PICTURES

It’s a conspiracy of a top police officer- Vaas' Attorney

Counsel appearing on behalf of former DIG Vaas Gunawardena informed Mahara Magistrate today that ‘a senior Police officer’ had led a conspiracy due to which his client is currently in custody

Army allegedly 'shoots' tusker

The Army and the Wildlife Department have begun their respective investigations into the gun shots alleged to have been fired by army officers at the iconic tusker Gemunu at the Yala National Park, which is beyond the Army’s jurisdiction

Warrant issued on NE Deputy Mayor

An open warrant for the arrest of the Nuwara Eliya Deputy Mayor Tissa Seviratne has been issued by Nuwara Eliya Magistrate Sampath Hewawasam on charges of child abuse.

New contamination scare hits NZ dairy industry

A new contamination scare hit New Zealand's multi-billion dollar dairy industry on Monday after it was revealed a milk product with excessive nitrate levels had been exported to China, the AFP reported.

Army Major suspended

The Army Major who was arrested last Saturday in Anuradhapura while allegedly transporting 15 kilos of cannabis was suspended from service by the Army Commander, the army spokesman said.

Sri Lanka hand-delivers invite to Indian PM

Sri Lanka's Foreign minister GL Peiris arrived in New Delhi on Sunday to hand-deliver a personal invitation to Dr. Manmohan Singh to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Colombo in November, NDTV reported.

Rajathurai joins NUW

Nuwara Eliya District parliamentarian S. P. Rajathurai, who resigned from the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) on August 8, yesterday joined the National Union of Workers (NUW) led by parliamentarian P. Thigambaram.

Fonterra ad ban extended

The Court of appeal today extended the interim order on Fonterra to refrain from advertising its products as ‘100% perfect’, till September 3

Video: Thai Princess Sirindhorn arrives

Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand has arrived in the country on Sunday starting a four day visit, the state owned SLBC said.

Hope Indian PM will attend CHOGM-GL

Sri Lanka Sunday said it would "very much like" Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November in Colombo even as Tamil Nadu parties have urged India not to participate in the event.

UK detains partner of journalist under Terrorism Act

The partner of the Guardian journalist who has written a series of stories revealing mass surveillance programmes by the US National Security Agency was held for almost nine hours on Sunday by UK authorities as he passed through London's Heathrow airport on his way home to Rio de Janeiro.

Ranil 'disappointed' over poll process

Leader of Opposition in Sri Lankan Parliament Ranil Wickramasinghe said today that he was disappointed over the election process to the Northern Provincial Council polls in his country.

Indians, Nepalis netted at Panadura

29 Indian and Nepal nationals had been arrested at Panadura, Modera by the Immigration Department officials while they were staying on Sri Lanka without valid visas on Saturday, Controller General of the Department of Immigration and Emigration W. A. Chulananda Perera said.

Two brothers killed in accident

Two brothers were killed in a collision between a van and a bicycle in Karamba on the Kalpitiya -Palavila road today, police said. The victims aged 13 and 14 had died on admission to the Puttalam Hospital.

Love triangle end in shooting

Two Air force personnel, including a woman were killed following a shootout at a guesthouse at Marble Beach, Trincomalee today

Princess Diana murdered? UK Police probe sensational claim

British police are investigating a sensational claim that the Special Air Service commando unit (SAS) was involved in the death of Princess Diana, reports Sean Rayment.

'Kudu Malee' dies

A woman drug dealer from Wanathamulla, Borella had died from swallowing a home made heroin pill, police said

Alleged gem smuggler nabbed at BIA

A Sri Lankan who attempted to smuggle gems worth Rs. 8 million to Singapore has been arrested by Customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday.

Sri Lankan boat found near Nagai coast

A 17-foot long fibre boat equipped with kerosene powered outboard engine was found abandoned and drifting near the coastal waters off the shore of Point Calimere wildlife sanctuary at the Vedaranyam block of the district on Saturday morning.

Karunanidhi warns of Tamil backlash

DMK Chief M. Karunanidhi has urged the central government to boycott the upcoming Commonwealth of Heads of Government Meet (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka in November.