Olympics: Minister gave approval for only 8 officials

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage lashed out at the National Olympics Committee saying that he had not given permission for 23 officials to accompany the seven athletes for the Olympics

President returns

President Mahinda Rajapakse who was in Iran to attend the 16th heads of state conference of the Non Aligned Nations, has returned to the country in the early hours today, officials said.

SL proved resistance against hegemonic powers is possible-Iran

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said Iran and Sri Lanka proved that resistance against hegemonic powers is possible.

No power cut today as well

The power and energy ministry said that there would be no power cuts today and tomorrow (September 2) owing to the long weekend.

TNA, SLMC deny working links

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) denied claims of working together to ensure victory at the upcoming provincial council elections.

Can’t say from where the oil is leaking

The Marine Environmental Protection Authority said yesterday that it is hard to detect the exact spot, from which fuel is leaking out of the Cyprus-flagged vessel mv Thermopylae Sierra.

Move to arrest Judge Warawewa: Ranil

Opposition UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today alleged that there was a move to arrest  retired High Court Judge W.T.M.P.B. Warawewa soon.

SL cricket team attack: Mastermind nabbed

Pakistan has arrested the head of a banned Sunni extremist group accused of inciting sectarian hatred and masterminding an attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009, police said today.

7.9 earthquake rocks Philippines, tsunami warning issued

An earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter Scale rocked the coast of Philippines on Friday. Following the earthquake, tsunami warnings were issued for Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan and Japan.

Parents of nine-year-old killed in road tragedy

The parents and their nine- year-old- son were seriously injured in a head-on collision between their motorcycle and a lorry at Pugoda on the Palleweala- Bokalagama road.

SLMC election office attacked

A Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) election office in Akkaraipattu was attacked this morning by a group of masked men who arrived in several vehicles.

Singapore are Asian Netball Champions

Singapore won the Asian Netball Championship defeating Sri Lanka 48-47 in the final played at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium a short while ago

Nearly 50,000 arrested since July 1

Nearly 50,000 suspects who had arrest warrants against them were taken into custody during countrywide raids carried out since July 1.

Commotion in Trichy over hosting of Lankan students

The Kalai Kaviri College of Fine Arts in Trichy has had to pay a heavy price for hosting Sri Lankan students at its premises. Volunteers of Naam Thamizhar stormed the institution accusing them of harbouring Sri Lankan nationals

Indo- SL dialogue in the offing on Nuclear plant

Amid concerns about safety issues involving the nuclear plant in Kundakulam of South India, the government of Sri Lanka has raised its concerns with India and sought an immediate dialogue between the two sides to discuss the matter, officials said yesterday

No power cuts today and on Sunday

The power and energy minister said that there would be no power cuts today and on Sunday (September 2) owing to the Poya day and long weekend.

Monday declared a day of mourning

The government has declared September 3, as a day of mourning as a mark of respect for the late Mahanayake Thera of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Nikaya, the most Venerable Weweldeniye Medhalankara Thera, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 103.

There should be no double stance-MR

While claiming that international community should support countries that have faced threat of terrorism, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that there should be no double stance or policies favoring one side of the issue.

SL to expand diplomatic ties with India

Sri Lankan government is to expand its Diplomatic and Consular Representations in India, through expansion of the existing Missions in India to suit the present day needs, the government information department said.

Samudra Hikkaduwa gives statement to police

Former Miss Sri Lanka contest runner up Samudra Hikkaduwa who was accused of running a brothel in Moratuwa, has given a statement to the Walana Central Anti-Vice Squad today, police sources said

China not targeting any third party- General Guanglie

Visiting Chinese Defence Minister General Liang Guanglie today said the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is conducting friendly exchanges and cooperation with its counterparts in the South Asian nations intended at maintaining regional security and stability and not targeting any third party

Mervyn thanks Chief Priest

Minister Mervyn Silva thanked the Chief Priest of the Munneswaram Kovil for heeding the President’s request, the Minister's outgoing media secretary Rehan Wijeyrathne said quoting Minister Silva.

We will continue our trade union struggle – FUTA

FUTA will not end its trade union struggle based on the Cabinet paper released today, as it is only a policy level document that contains no concrete solutions to demands, Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) spokesman Dr. Mahim Mendis said today

Animal sacrifice put off on President’s request

Munneswaram Sri Maha Badrakali Amman Devasthanam Administrator Kalimuththu Sivapatha Sundaram said today that the animal sacrifice which was to be held tomorrow had been stopped on a request made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Sanga in line for four ICC awards

Kumar Sangakkara is in line to win four awards at this year’s annual ICC awards ceremony to be held in Colombo on September 15

Video: I am going to Munneswaram - Mervyn

Minister Mervyn Silva said today that he will go to the Munneswaram Kovil premises in order to ensure that the animal sacrifice is not conducted.

Newborn infant found abandoned

A newborn infant was found abandoned at Maradana road in Beruwala early this morning, Police media spokesman said. The infant was admitted to Nagoda hospital. Beruwala police are conducting further investigations to arrest the mother

K’wewa PS chairman arrested

Kaluwaragaswewa Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman (UPFA) was arrested by the police for allegedly assaulting a motorist who was answering a phone call by the road side at the 16th mile post at Kaluwaragawewa, police said.

University teachers crisis will end-Govt

The university teachers’ strike will most probably end with the Cabinet of Ministers approving the government’s policy stand to address the grievances of the academics and to develop the higher education sector, officials said.

Two held for pledging fake gold

Two Sri Lankan Tamils were arrested for attempting to pledge fake gold jewellery at a private finance company on Wednesday. So far, the duo have conned 12 gold loan firms in the city.