Fishing ban comes into effect from Monday

Rameswaram fishermen, who faced the wrath of the Sri Lankan Navy while fishing have urged the central and state governments to create a conducive atmosphere for fishing after arranging a meeting between the Lankan and Indian fishermen during the 45 day ban period, which comes into effect from Monday.

Kerry proposes 20% cut in US aid to SL

US Secretary of State John Kerry has proposed a 20 per cent cut in the American aid to Colombo, a move reflecting the unease in their ties over issues related to human rights, reconstruction and political integration in Sri Lanka after the end of the civil war.

Expressway earns 5 million in 12 hours

The Southern Expressway netted a total income of 5 million rupees for the 12 hour period ending at 7 am today.

Nicolas wins Venezuela presidential election

Socialist candidate Nicolas Maduro has won a narrow victory in Venezuela's presidential poll.

Seventy year old dies in race

A seventy year old man died this morning while participating at a veteran’s race held at a New Year festival,  organised by the local government body, in Rambukkana.

VCK for credible probe into wartime excesses

Reiterating that Tamil Eelam alone could find a permanent solution to the problems of the Sri Lankan Tamils, Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi (VCK) on Sunday demanded a referendum among them to ascertain the need for the creation of a nation.

Father and son drown

A four-year old child and his father drowned when a boat had capsized in the Bathalegoda Wewa in Ibbagamuwa this evening, police said.

Navy denies arresting Indian fishermen

Sri Lankan Navy today denied the arrest of nine Indian fishermen hailing from Pudukottai district in Tamil Nadu, as reported in the Indian media.

'Ministry of Crab' to crawl to India?

The two Sri Lankan cricketers -Mahela Jayawardane and Kumar Sangakkara-are toying with the idea of bringing their popular seafood restaurant, Ministry of Crab, to India, Jayawardene has said.

1 dead over 250 hospitalized during new year

The Colombo National Hospital said today that 53 patients have been admitted to the National Hospital since 12.00 midnight today as a result of accidents during celebrations last night.

Value the traditions-President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his Sinhala-Hindu new year message said that ‘the true happiness of new year is safeguarded by a verdant and free and independent country.’

Five Lankan tamil refugees arrested in TN

Five Sri Lankan Tamil refugees were arrested in Rameshwaram while awaiting a ferry reportedly for illegally travelling to the neighbouring country, officials said today.

SL 'welcomes' asylum boat returns

Sri Lanka will welcome asylum seeker boats turned around by Australian authorities, the country's high commissioner to Australia says.

Lankan shop owner dies in UK

The Sri Lankan owner of a shop in Bedford, East of England who suffered a severe blow to the head in an assault on Sunday night has died.

It was an inside job-Hulugalle

Director General of the Media Center for National Security (MCNS), Lakshman Hulugalle said that initial Police investigations into the attack on the Uthayan office in Jaffna had revealed that it was an 'inside job'.

Uthayan office in Jaffna set on fire

The printing section of the Uthayan Tamil newspaper office in Jaffna has been set on fire by an unidentified armed group at around 5 am today, sources said.

Seoul asks Lanka to stay calm

Amid continuous “threats of war” from North Korea, South Korea today asked Sri Lanka to stay calm over the safety of its more than 25,000 workers, saying Seoul was maintaining full preparedness for possible nuclear strikes from Pyongyang.

Mihin Lanka to withdraw Tiruchi flights from June 1

Budget airline, Mihin Lanka, has decided to withdraw its flights on the Colombo-Tiruchi-Colombo sector effective June 1 on account of a steep fall in load factor of the flights.

Gotabaya's Remarks Not Acceptable: Narayanasamy

India today disapproved of a top Sri Lankan official's reported remark about it regarding terrorism in that country, saying the armed conflict there was a result of Colombo denying rights to Tamils there.

Video: SF says Soosai did not commit suicide

Former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka today rejected media reports to the effect that LTTE sea tiger leader “Soosai” committed suicide and said that he was killed during the last day of the war along with LTTE Leader Prabhakaran by the Army.

US stands ready to partner with SL: Kerry

Greeting the Sri Lankans on the occasion of their New Year, US Secretary of State John Kerry has said that the United States stands ready to partner with the island nation as it works to make progress on reconciliation and accountability.

NICs to be mandatory from 15?

The Registration of Persons Department has proposed to bring down the present age limit for individuals to obtain National Identity Cards from 16 to 15 years, officials said yesterday.

Two Lankans dead in Doha accident

Two Sri Lankan nationals were killed while a number of people injured in a deadly road accident near the traffic lights below Ras Abu Aboud flyover in Doha, Qatar on Wednesday are still receiving treatment at the emergency unit of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).

Watcher shot dead; OIC in critical stage

The OIC of the Moragahahena Police station has been critically injured when a watcher at the State Farm in Horana shot at him. The watcher was later killed by police fire, the police said.

JVP concerned over military presence

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Somawansa Amarasinghe yesterday complained to Police Chief N.K. Ilangakoon about the alleged military patrol near the Matale mass grave on Wednesday night. 

SL rejects US request for talks on electricity tariffs

The government has rejected a request by the US embassy in Colombo for a special discussion with senior officials of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) with regard to the proposed revision of electricity tariffs, informed sources revealed.

‘Adhisthana Pooja’ by artists

Sri Lankan artists today held an ‘Adhisthana Pooja’ outside Independence square against the protest held in Tami Nadu by the Indian artists urging them to come to Sri Lanka and witness the real situation here. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Sri Lankans flown to Christmas Island

The Sri Lankans who arrived undetected in Geraldton harbour on Tuesday were last night on a charter flight to Christmas Island, as refugee advocates voiced concerns the group was being shielded from lawyers.

No flood of boats, says Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's high commissioner to Australia says he doesn't expect a flood of asylum seekers will follow the 66 potential refugees who gobsmacked onlookers with their arrival in Geraldton

Businessman killed in Expressway accident

A 43-year-old businessman travelling with his family was killed when their jeep skidded and overturned at the 14.1 km post between Kahatuduwa and Gelanigama exits this morning Pictures