Army officer allegedly assaulted by Malaka

An Army Major was admitted to the National Hospital after being allegedly assaulted by a group led by controversial minister Mervyn Silva's son Malaka at a five star hotel in Colombo last night, according to a complaint made to the police.

Asylum seekers return after 23 days

A group of people who had left in a trawler bound to Australia but returned after 23 days due to a technical defect in it were arrested by the police at Amaduwa near the Yala sanctuary last evening.

Victory for UPFA

The United People’s Freedom Alliance led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa has won all three provincial councils –North Central, Eastern and Sabaragamuwa - at Saturday’s Provincial Council election.

95 SL Tamil refugees detained after migration bid

In an overnight operation that ended early on Saturday, the Mangalore police prevented a group of 97 persons — 95 of them believed to be Sri Lankan Tamil refugees — from embarking on an unsafe and illegal sea voyage in a bid to migrate to Australia.

UPFA wins Sabaragamuwa PC

United People's Freedom Alliance won the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council with 488,714 votes and secured 28 seats in the Council. The United National Party obtained 286,857 votes with 14 seats while Ceylon Worker's Congress (P.Wing) obtained 25,985 votes with two seats.

UPFA retains Eastern PC

United People's Freedom Alliance won the Eastern Provincial Council with 200,044 votes with 14 seats. The TNA has secured 11 seats in the council with 193,827 votes.

PC polls: UPFA wins NCP

UPFA won the North Central Province-Provincial Council with 338,552 votes securing 21 seats. The UNP obtained 196,127 votes with 11 seats while JVP has obtained 160,66 votes with one seat.

Diamond purged out of Chinese man

A USD 14,000 expensive diamond that was swallowed by a Chinese man in an attempt to steal it, has been retrieved after laxatives were given to him, the police said today.

Video: Voter turn-out over 50% - Elections Dept.

The Elections Department says the voter turn-out at the Provincial Council polls that ended about an hour ago is between 50% to 60%, although a slightly lower figure of around 43% to 46% was recorded from the Sabaragamuwa province.

Quiz Sushma to know Douglas whereabouts

A writ petition has been filed in the Madras High Court finding fault with the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj’s meeting with  Lankan minister Douglas Devanantha, an absconding accused in criminal cases.

Army officer stabbed to death

A lieutenant attached to the Panagoda Army camp was stabbed to death this morning in Galle, due to a personal dispute, Police said.

'Low voter turnout, no major incidents'

Polling in all three provinces is taking place smoothly without any interruptions or any major incidents, Deputy Election Commissioner R.M.A.L Ratnayake said.

SF says no letter yet

Anoma Fonseka speaking to the Daily Mirror said that former Army Commander and leader of the Democratic Party Sarath Fonseka has not received a letter of resignation from Tiran Alles, as reported in the media.

Kapilawasthu relics brought to Gangaramaya

The sacred Kapilawasthu relics were brought to Gangaramaya temple for exposition a short while ago and will be open to the public from 12 noon today, until next Monday.

Lack of enthusiasm among voters – monitors

Election monitoring bodies have claimed a lack of enthusiasm among voters during the ongoing Provincial Council polls held in the Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North central provinces.

Blake here next week

United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O. Blake will visit Sri Lanka next week. During his visit between September 12 and 14, he will meet government officials and members of the opposition.

State-owned TV stations told to stop polls propaganda

The state-owned TV channels,  were compelled to cancel some of their programmes on the provincial council elections after the Elections Department intervened in this matter, officials said today.

Woman arrested for land scam

Custom officers at the airport arrested a 36-year-old woman who is alleged to have sold a 5.5 acre block of land in Pugoda at Owitigama to 41 people. She had fled to India and was arrested on her arrival at the Bandaranaike Airport.

Asylum seekers refuse to leave boat

More than 50 Australia-bound asylum seekers from Sri Lanka have refused to leave their boat after it was found stranded off Indonesia's Sumatra island a week ago, officials say.

12 hour water cut in Colombo

The water supply will be interrupted 12 hours from 8.00 pm on Saturday September 8 to 8.00 am on Sunday September 9 due to the laying of new pipe lines under the Kalu Ganga Project.

Tiran resigns from SF’s party?

There was speculation in the political circles that Democratic National Alliance Parliamentarian Tiran Alles has resigned from the post of the Secretary of the Democratic Party, led by former army Commander Sarath Fonseka, informed sources said.

FUTA protests welcome - President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today said he has no objections to protests by Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) to coincide with the Commonwealth Parliamentary meet in Colombo next week as it will only go to show how vibrant the democracy in Sri Lanka is

Amnesty calls on India to protect Lankans

Amnesty International, India, on Thursday urged the Tamil Nadu government to protect Sri Lankans visiting or living in the State.

Rain due to change in wind pattern

Heavy rain experienced in several districts due to the change in wind pattern and more rain expected in Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa and Eastern provinces and in Galle and Matara areas, the Meteorology department said.

No power cuts until further notice

The power cuts will not be imposed from today, until further notice, Ministry of power and Energy announced.

Lawyer hacked to death

A 68- year old lawyer has been hacked to death by unknown assailants who broke into his house in Athurugiriya early this morning, police said.

Revised A/L ranks released

Revised islandwide and district ranks of the 2011 GCE Advanced Level exam have been released by the Examinations Department. 

Chinese man speaks out

The Chinese national who was arrested for allegedly stealing and swallowing a diamond at the international gem and jewellery exhibition at the BMICH has told the police that he had only swallowed an imitation diamond.

SL to remove travel advisory soon

The Ministry of External Affairs will soon remove the Travel Advisory on Tamil Nadu after a proactive response to discussions between the Sri Lankan government and the Indian Central government, sources told Daily Mirror.

No fishermen in SL custody: SM Krishna

No Indian fisherman is in Sri Lankan custody and the government is engaged with the neighbouring nation to ensure that the fisherfolk carry on their livelihood safely, India Parliament was informed on Thursday.