Substandard diesel troubles engines

Another crisis in the energy sector was emerging as a large number of vehicles, including five locomotive engines and SLTB and private buses had been stalled due to pumping alleged substandard diesel, sources said.

SL won the toss, elected to bat first

Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene won the toss and chose to bat against India in the fourth of the five-match One-day International (ODI) at the R Premadasa Stadium a short while ago

146 policemen promoted

The Police Chief has promoted 146 police constables to the rank of Sergeant with effect from February 15, 2009, the Police Media Unit said.

Australia drops travel warning

The Australian Foreign Affairs department has dropped its travel warning for northern Sri Lanka - only days after Australia deported a Tamil asylum seeker to the country

12 more illegal immigrants nabbed

Twelve persons including two women were taken into police custody in Chillaw and Mahawewa areas while attempting to flee to Australia illegally yesterday, police said

EC wants armed groups disarmed

Amid allegations that armed groups are operating in the East, the Elections Department has written to Police Chief N.K. Ilangakoon directing him to have the weapons issued to some political parties or individuals returned to the police, officials said yesterday

‘Madam President’, Rajapaksa

Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake, who was present when the President met the Editors, made a faux pas when he addressed President Mahinda Rajapaksa ‘Janadhipathiniyani’ (Madam President) when explaining the status of the strikes by university staff

‘Salon de Mahinda’

President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said that the door to the government was similar to that of a salon door

Two drunken men vandalise Gandhi statue

Two men were arrested on charges of having vandalizied the Mahathma Gandhi statue at the Community Hall at Ashirvathappanveethy in Ariyalai, Jaffna Police said

Karunanidhi allowed Prabha to die- Vijayakant

Tamil Nadu actor-turned-politician Vijayakant accused former TN Chief Minister Karunanidhi (DMK) of letting LTTE Leader Prabhakaran die, the Hindu reported

Economic hit-men in Lanka: Harsha

Economist and UNP parliamentarian Harsha de Silva charged that the real “economic hit-men” are those responsible for the transactions that resulted in an enormous loss of public funds

Niluka beats world number 8

Sri Lankan captain Niluka Karunarathne beat world number 8 Tago Kenichi in his first round match at the Olympics a short while ago. Karunarathne comprehensively beat the Japanese 21/16 and 21/18.

Boat saga continues; another 103 nabbed

The Sri Lanka Navy intercepted three boats carrying illegal migrants last night; one in Trincomalee and two in Negombo.A total of 103 persons were arrested and handed over tothe  police for investigations

Courts in North at a standstill

All lawyers in the North have decided to refrain from court duties today and tomorrow urging the authorities to arrest the suspects who pelted stones at the Mannar District courts.

Andhra Pradesh train fire: 47 killed

At least 47 passengers were charred to death and 25 others injured when a fire broke in a coach of the Chennai-bound Tamil Nadu Express near Nellore early this morning

Video: Commotion at CMC

A tense situation has arisen at the Colombo Municipal Council with opposition members taking hold of the mace of the council, compelling the suspension of todays sittings

MR cautions saboteurs at CEB

Saboteurs of Ceylon Electricity board (CEB) power plants and those responsible for deliberate disruption of power supply will be taken to task, President Mahinda Rajapaksa

Policeman caught for abusing girl

A police constable was arrested for allegedly abusing a thirteen year old girl in Kataragama who had come there to see the Perahera from Moneragala, police said.

Basil to handle school construction projects

The Economic Development Ministry of Basil Rajapaksa has been assigned as the ‘implementing agency’ of construction projects related to the development of 5000 primary schools in the country, a Minister said yesterday

Kamal dismisses baseless rumours

Award-winning actor and singer Kamal Addaraarachchi today said elements with low tastes and seeking popularity at his expense were spreading baseless rumours in gossip columns indicating his name.

No portable horns at match venues –SLC

Sri Lanka Cricket has decided to ban spectators from bringing in 'Portable Horns' / ‘Hooters’ to match venues with immediate effect.

TNA and TN want to revive Eelam dream – Champika

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R.Sampanthan and Tamil Nadu leaders are gearing up to give life to the dead Eelam dream of the LTTE terrorists, said Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka at a Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) convention in Maharagama today. 

Pakistani prisoners sent back

The government has decided to hand over 20 Pakistani prisoners including a woman to the Pakistani government. The prisoners have been sentenced to life imprisonment or serving long jail terms for drug trafficking.

Navy rescues 28 stranded asylum seekers

A vessel carrying 28 Sri Lankan illegal asylum seekers was rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy, while it was drifting some 300 nautical miles off the Galle seas, the Navy said.

Misfire kills Police officer

A Police sub Inspector attached to the Neluwa Police Station was killed allegedly due to a misfire by another policeman’s firearm during a raid in the Lelwala area early today, Police said.

No military done so much for the people-Gota

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that no military in the world would ever do so much for the people in the aftermath of long-drawn war.

India beat Sri Lanka

India defeated Sri Lanka in the third cricket One-day international by five wickets to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series at R Premadasa stadium, in Colombo.

Sanga faces lengthy injury layoff

Kumar Sangakkara will be out of action for four to six weeks after fracturing a finger on his right hand on Saturday during his team’s first innings against India at the R Premadasa Stadium. He will play no further part in the ongoing ODI series and faces a race against time to prove himself fit for the ICC World Twenty in September.

Video: ‘Indian media bluffs’ – Ranawaka

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka today accused Indian media for publishing false reports claiming Sri Lanka was to get help from Pakistan in developing a nuclear power plant in Sampur, Trincomalee.

SL to bat first

Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardena has won the toss and elected to bat against India in the third cricket One-Day International in Colombo.