Sri Lanka plugs 'Buddhist tourist trail' site

The Sri Lankan Tourism Promotion Bureau has introduced a "Buddhist Tourism Trail", a Sri Lankan promotional website aiming to attract Thai and other travellers from Theravada Buddhism countries, the Bangkok Post reported.

TNA for UNHRC resolution seeking more time for Lanka

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said yesterday it would stand for a fresh resolution to be moved by some western countries asking for more time for Sri Lanka to implement the provisions of the previous UNHRC resolution.

Detection of contraband - Colombo Port to get 3 high-tech scanners

With the installation of three high-tech scanners at the Colombo Port of Colombo on March  1  the Sri Lanka Customs (SLC) would be able to detect drugs, narcotics, cigarettes, gold and other contraband smuggled in containers, Director General P.S.M. Charles said.

Life imprisonment for peddling heroin

High Court Judge Sashi Mahendran yesterday sentenced a father of two children to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of trafficking and peddling 10.325 grams of heroin at Nedimala, Kalubowila in 2012.

Tea exports in hot water due to trade embargoes on Iran

With the imposition of various trade embargoes on Iran, obtaining payments for tea exports from Sri Lanka to Iran is causing several difficulties, Sri Lankan Tea Board Chairman Lucille Wijewardena told Daily Mirror.

More power useless if what's devolved is unused: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday there was no point in asking for more powers if the local bodies don't use what is already devolved to the Provincial Councils.

Madush’s arrest: Police team to leave for Dubai

A six-member police team was appointed by Defense Secretary Hemasiri Fernando to leave for Dubai to assist the Dubai Police in the investigations into the recent arrest of 31 Sri Lankans including drug kingpin Makandure Madush and singers Amal Perera and his son  Nadeemal .

Hartal in Puttalam against garbage recycling plant

Puttalam tuned into a ghost town yesterday when all business establishments and private sector institutions put up shutters and staged a hartal against the Aruwakkalu  Gabage  Recycling plant which is being built.

EU reiterates need to replace PTA with new legislation

The European Union (EU) reiterated the need to repeal and replace Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in order to bring counter-terrorism legislation in line with international standards.

SLPP fired 500 youth of NHDA during 51-day rule: Sajith

During the time of 51-day unconstitutional government late last year, 500 youth employed at the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) lost their jobs as part of the SLPP's vicious campaign against the UNP and any citizen that does not support them, Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Minister Sajith Premadasa said.

Opposition vows to defeat national Govt. proposal

The Opposition said today it would defeat the national government proposal with the support of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).

Incidents in Parliament: CID records statement from MP Punchinilame

UPFA MP Susantha Punchinilame said today the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) recorded a statement from him over the chaotic incidents that took place in parliament in November last year.

Rains expected to increase

The Department of Meteorology said rains were expected to increase in the next two days.

Two youths arrested for taking photos on top of Cheithiya remanded

Two youths, who were arrested for allegedly taking photos on top of one of the retinue Cheithiyas in Mihintale yesterday, were remanded until February 21, police said.

US Coast Guard trains Sri Lankan port officials

The US Coast Guard (USCG) conducted a port security capacity building programme at the Colombo Port with more than 25 Sri Lankan port officials from February 11 to 13, the US Embassy said today.

MR slams Constitutional Council

The entire state sector has been collapsed today due to arbitrary actions taken by the Constitutional Council, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.

Japanese PM’s special advisor to visit SL today

Kentaro  Sonoura, who is the special advisor to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, will arrive in Sri Lanka today for a two-day visit and hold meetings with the government leaders to further promote the bilateral relationship between the two countries, including cooperation for realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Applications called for 2019 A/L exam

The Department of Examinations today announced February 25 as the deadline for accepting applications for the G.C.E. A/L examination for 2019.

Wildlife officer killed in elephant attack

A wildlife officer was killed following an elephant attack last night in Nelumwewa area in Polonnaruwa during a mission on chasing away wild elephants, police said.

SL lacks proper frameworks in anti-money laundering, counter-terrorist funding: EU

The European Commission on Wednesday listed Sri Lanka among 23 countries with strategic deficiencies in their anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing frameworks.

US to direct $39 mn to SL's maritime security

A top US official said yesterday that his country planned to direct US$ 39 million to Sri Lanka to support maritime security, freedom of navigation, and maritime awareness as part of its Bay of Bengal initiative.

Hangman’s rope unusable, new one to be imported

A new rope is to be purchased from abroad for the use of the hangman at the Welikada Prison, a senior prison officer said.

Govt. jobs for A/L qualifiers: Prez objects to cabinet proposal

President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have objected to a cabinet proposal to grant employment to 7,500 GCE Advanced Level qualifiers in the state sector. The government has submitted this proposal to the regular cabinet meeting conducted on

Madush, Amal and Nadeemal remanded till Feb. 28: Lawyer

Thirty one suspects including drug kingpin Makandure Madush, singer Amal Perera and his son Nadeemal, who were arrested in Dubai, were today remanded till February 28 after being produced in a Dubai Court, Counsel Shabdika Wellappili said.

UK renews call on Sri Lanka to abolish death penalty

The UK Government renewed its call on Sri Lanka, a country which has consistently backed UN resolutions for worldwide suspension of executions, to abolish the death penalty. UK Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field said the UK Government calls on all

SLPP requests Prez to take over Provincial Councils Ministry

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramauna (SLPP) yesterday requested President Maithripala Sirisena to take the Provincial Councils Ministry under his purview to ensure that the election for Provincial Councils (PC) is held immediately.

Govt. only looking at political solution based on APRC proposals: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the government was only looking at the political solution based on the proposals made by the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) during the previous regime.

Kanjipani Imran’s mistress Kudu Chooti injured in shooting

A 39-year-old woman known as ‘Kudu Chooti’, who is also the mistress of underworld figure Kanjipani Imran, was injured when two unidentified gunmen opened fire at her at Melwatta in Kotahena this evening, police said.

Kashmir attack: Bomb kills 34 soldiers in military convoy

At least 34 Indian paramilitary soldiers have been killed in a bomb attack by militants on their convoy in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Niroshan rejects allegations

UPFA MP Niroshan Premaratne today rejected allegations levelled against him relating to his links with Makandure Madush and reports of financial assistance from him.