NY article has many inaccuracies: Namal

In response to New York Times article titled ‘How China Got Sri Lanka to Cough Up a Port’, MP Namal Rajapaksa today said the article has many inaccuracies.

Chinese funds financed MR's election campaign: NY Times

During the 2015 presidential election, large payments from the Chinese Port Construction Fund flowed directly to campaign aides and activities of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, who had agreed to Chinese terms at every turn and was seen as an important ally in China’s efforts to tilt influence away from India in South Asia, The New York Times reported in an article published on June 25.

Killing of Leopard: A non-bailable offence- Jagath

Lawyer and environmental protection activist Jagath Gunawardena said the killing of the leopard by villagers at Ambalakulam in Kilinochchi was a non-bailable offence under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance.

Northern CM opposes using soldiers for development projects

The government's decision to deploy army personnel to reconstruct abandoned tanks in Vavuniya was opposed by the Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran and other Tamil MPs when this matter was discussed at Tuesday's Vavuniya District Development Committee meeting.

TN Police arrests Lankan with cache of ammunition

A Sri Lankan national was arrested at Uchipuli Valangapuri coast near Rameswaram while two others escaped into a nearby forest, Tamil Nadu police said on Wednesday, the First Post website reported.

4-hour countrywide raid: 2,322 arrested for various offences

Nearly 2,322 people were arrested for various offences while 5,254 were charged with traffic violations during a four-hour countrywide raid, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Sri Lankan man, two sons found dead in Chennai

A 38-year-old Sri Lankan man and his two sons-both aged below six-were found dead inside their residence at Maduravoyal in Tamil Nadu, the Indian Express reported on Wednesday. Alerted neighbours had reportedly noticed a foul smell from the house and had broken down the doors.

UN peacekeepers: Army assures cooperation to resolve screening issues

The Sri Lanka Army today assured that it would fully cooperate with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) to resolve pending screening issues of UN peacekeepers.In a statement, the Army said the bilateral understanding and coordination of the two entities would enable both parties to sort out the pending issues amicably as early as possible.

Petroleum bowsers to strike 48 hrs from Sunday night

The Ceylon Petroleum Private Bowser Owners Association (CPPBOA) said today that its members would launch a 48-hour work stoppage from midnight Sunday (July 1) demanding that hiring charges be increased.

SL top global safety destination for women travellers

The People’s Daily newspaper of China selected Sri Lanka as the top global safety destination for women travellers in 2018, in a recently concluded contest, which combined the results of expert reviews, ratings and popular votes.

SL seal historic win to level series

Kusal Perera battled through a painful chest injury in partnership with namesake Dilruwan Perera to guide Sri Lanka to an historic series-levelling four-wicket victory over the West Indies in the third and final Test at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Tuesday.

Will take stern action if PC polls delayed: EC

Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya at a meeting with the representatives of the political parties decided to request Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister Faiszer Mustapha in writing not to delay the elections to the Provincial Councils any longer, it is learnt.

UNP has many candidates: MP Indunil

The United National Party (UNP) had enough alternate candidates to field at the next Presidential Election if the present party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe declined to contest, Government MP Thusara Indunil Perera said yesterday.

Allegations malicious and baseless: Kabir

Some activists of civil organizations were making baseless allegations misusing the freedom of expression ushered in by the incumbent Government, Highways Minister Kabir Hashim said.  

Ready to accept any MP who quits government: Wimal

We are ready to accept any MP who would leave the Government, National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader and MP Wimal Weerawansa said today.

US Supreme Court upholds Trump's travel ban

The US Supreme Court has ruled in favour of the President Donald Trump's travel ban targeting people from several Muslim-majority countries, BBC reported today.

China drops tariffs on animal feed from SL, four other countries

China will remove import tariffs on animal feed ingredients including soybeans, soymeal and rapeseed from five countries including Sri Lanka, the Reuters reported on Tuesday quoting the Chinese Finance Ministry.

MR won't have any problem calling back Udayanga: PM

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa would not have any difficulty to get former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga, who was alleged to have involved in MiG deal, to return to Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Postal strike suspended: TU

The postal strike which was launched two weeks ago would be suspended from midnight today till Thursday following the discussions held with Postal Services Minister Abdul Haleem, Postal Trade Unions said a short while ago.

PM should ask Mahendran to return following MR’s precedent: JO

The Joint Opposition (JO) today threw a challenge at Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to bring back former Central Bank (CB) Governor Arjuna Mahendran to Sri Lanka like former President Mahinda Rajapaksa vowed to ensure the return of former Sri Lankan envoy to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga.

Navy rescues seamen onboard distressed merchant vessel

The captain and 10 seamen including an Indonesian, who were onboard the distressed merchant ship “Mutha Pioneer” in the seas off Colombo harbour, were rescued by the Navy today.

Suspected LTTE weapons, explosives found in TN

More than 50 boxes of abandoned ammunition, 41 Light Machine Guns, 22 Machine guns, five land mines trinitrotoluene detonators, and detonator launchers were recovered while a septic tank was being dug in a house near Thangachimadam area in Ramesawaram, Tamil Nadu.

Kusal Janith cleared of any serious injury: SLC

Batsman Kusal Janith Perera, who crashed into the advertising boards, while fielding during the second innings of the West Indies in the ongoing test match, is cleared of any serious injury, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in an official statement a short while ago.

Bribery case: Bail rejected for Mahanama and Dissanayaka

Colombo Chief Magistrate Ranga Dassanayake today rejected the bail application filed by President Maithripala Sirisena's former chief of staff I.H.K. Mahanama and State Timber Corporation (STC) former chairman P. Dissanayaka who were in remand custody on charges of accepting a Rs.20 million bribe.

Lotus Road closed due to protest

The Lotus Road from Ceramic Junction in Colombo has been temporarily closed due to a protest march being carried out by a group of disabled war veterans, the Police said. 

Traffic rules on the E’way to be strictly enforced: Traffic Police

The condition of vehicles entering the Expressways will be strictly checked due to the recent spate of fatal accidents, the Director of Traffic Administration and Road Safety, SP Indika Hapugoda said.

Kusal Perera stretchered off after nasty injury

Sri Lanka's Kusal Perera was stretchered into a waiting ambulance after a nasty fielding incident shortly before dinner on the third day of the third Test in Barbados.

MR wants Udayanga to return to SL

Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga, who is under a court warrant in a case pertaining to the purchase of MiG fighter jets, has been asked to return to the country by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the 'Yahapalana Vindithayo Sanvidanaya' organisation said yesterday.

Govt. to curb underworld activities: Ruwan

The government has decided to curb underworld activities with the assistance of the tri-forces, State Minister of Defense Ruwan Wijewardene said yesterday.

SriLankan hoping to reduce excess staff

The government is considering retrenching the excess staff of SriLankan airlines by measures such as Voluntary Retirement Schemes, a report says.