Govt. confirms NPC polls for September

Clearing the air after months of speculations on the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, the government yesterday confirmed that the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) Elections would be held in September as declared by President Mahinda Rajapaksa

No importation of cars is being contemplated by Govt-EAM

While rejecting some media reports about the importation of Rolls Royce and BMW cars for the forthcoming CHOGM in Colombo, the Ministry of External Affairs said that ‘no importation of cars is being contemplated by the Sri Lankan Government for this Conference.’

No restrictions on pandals and dansalas: MR

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today said nobody had imposed restrictions on Vesak pandals and dansalas and he would also join in viewing the pandals and dansalas

18 held in 'illegal immigrant' raid

Eighteen people have been arrested on suspicion of helping to smuggle Sri Lankan illegal immigrants into Britain in a series of dawn raids across Europe, including in Luton and Essex

Ranil raises CID move to question UNP MPs

Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe charged in Parliament today that there was an attempt by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to take in a few UNP MPs for questioning over their participation in a workshop organised by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

Video: NPC polls uncertain: UNP

While stating that the Northern Provincial Council election was still uncertain the UNP said today if the election were held it would prove that the government had accepted the UNP’s opinion on devolution of power in the country ??? 

Badge stolen from Judge’s car

A complaint was lodged at Mirihana Police this morning that a car badge depicting Toyota logo had been stolen from the vehicle belonged to Appeal Court Judge Deepali Wijesundere.

Only PSC can change Constitution: MR

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has reiterated that only the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) can propose any changes to Sri Lanka’s Constitution, Minister Anura Priyadharsana Yapa said today.

No Iran oil imports since 2012

Sri Lanka does not import crude oil from Iran since mid 2012 following the US sanctions, Minister of Petroleum industries, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said at the cabinet press briefing short while ago.

UNP open for change on devolution

The main opposition United National Party (UNP) said yesterday it was considering a change in its stance on power devolution and instead opt for a new system of devolution depending on the will of the people.

Audio: Ayurvedic spa registration on hold

The Department of Ayurveda will temporarily stop registering Ayurvedic spas from this month, Daily Mirror learns. However, registration of spas in institutions that had already been registered with the Sri Lanka Tourist Board will continue

Some local bodies failed to respond effectively to communal attacks-US

While claiming that trend in the Sri Lanka government’s respect for religious freedom did not change significantly during the year, the US said that ‘in certain instances, local authorities failed to respond effectively to communal attacks, including attacks on members of minority religious groups.’

India to deploy new ship bordering SL waters

The Indian Coast Guard is to deploy the newly commissioned ship ‘Vaibhav’, the third in a series of 90-meter class offshore patrol vessel in the Gulf of Mannar and up to the international maritime boundary line with Sri Lanka, the Times of India reported

SL man kills 3 of family, commits suicide

A 48-year-old Sri Lankan Tamil settled in Chennai killed his mother, wife and daughter by slitting their throats before committing suicide by jumping in front of a suburban train near Pazhavanthangal on Tuesday morning. His friends said the man was in debt

Only Congress genuinely interested in Tamils' welfare: Narayanasamy

Union Minister V Narayanasamy today said that only the Congress party is "genuinely" interested in ensuring welfare of the Tamils in Sri Lanka while other political parties in Tamil Nadu were shedding "crocodile tears" on the issue

Video: Strike success TU; Not success-Govt

While the Information Department said that attendance to duty by employees at public sector today had exceed 93.5% which was 3.5% more than the average daily attendance, the Trade Unions claimed that today’s general strike was a success.

Video: Many children among 91 feared dead in tornado-hit Oklahoma

At least 91 people, including 20 children, are feared killed by a huge tornado which tore through Oklahoma City suburbs, officials in the US state say.???

Jaya renews demand for retrieval of Kachatheevu

Voicing concern over attacks on Indian fishermen, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today asked the Centre to take urgent steps for the retrieval of Katchatheevu islet, ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974, besides redrawing the International Maritime Boundary Line

Rs. 200 m worth of ‘Wallapatta’ herbs confiscated

More than 13,000 kilos of ‘Wallapatta’ herbs (Gyrinops walla) worth Rs.200 million used in the manufacture of perfume was recovered from a house in Kolonnawa.

LTTE man flees Lanka, caught en route to Nairobi

Crime branch officers in India on Sunday arrested a 35-year-old Sri Lankan, who was an operative of banned outfit Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), when he was attempting to catch a flight to Nairobi

Bus plunges over a precipice: 24 injured

Twenty four passengers were hospitalised after a private bus plying from Jaffna to Diyatalawa plunged over a precipice in the Ramboda area in Kotmale this morning, Police said

Don’t fall prey – John Seneviratne

The government yesterday requested the working class people not take part in today’s planned- countrywide strike action and asked them not to fall prey to those who were trying to gain political advantage from the action

Two Japanese warships in Trinco

Two Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) ships, “Suzunami” and “Kirisame” arrived at the Port of Trincomalee today on a goodwill and supply visit, navy headquarters said.

Govt. afraid of tomorrow’s strike: UNP

The UNP said today that the government feared the tomorrow’s strike against the electricity tariffs hike and was using various tactics to force the workers to keep away from taking part in the campaign.

Daughter of Rohana Wijeweera arrested

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) founder Rohana Wijeweera’s daughter Easha was arrested this monring after she was alleged to have assaulted her mother and brother, police said.

Suspect hangs himself

A suspect was found hanging in a cell at the Bambalapitiya Police today. Police said the suspect had been arrested yesterday on charges of having stolen vehicle spare parts.

Businessman’s body found in Kelaniya

The body of a businessman had been found with burn injuries from the garden of his residence in Thalwatta, Kelaniya today, the Police said.

Audio: More rains

The depression in the Bay of Bengal will result in heavy rains in several parts of Sri Lanka, the Meteorology Department said today.???

Ex-ASP remanded

A retired Assistant Superintendent of Police was today remanded till June 3, by the Colombo Fort Magistrate on charges of having swindled several job seekers of millions of rupees on the promise he would find them overseas jobs.

26 Indian fishermen to be released

Protests by the fishermen community and political parties have yielded result with the Sri Lankan government ordering the release of the 26 Karaikal fishermen on Monday.