32 Chinese tourists, 4 North Koreans killed in bus crash

Thirty-two Chinese tourists and four North Koreans died in a major bus accident in North Korea, the Reuters reported today.  

Mother, son found dead in Hiniduma

A 32-year-old mother and her ten months old son were found dead in their house at Habarakada in Hiniduma this morning, Police said.

Attack on Kataragama Police: PS Chairman remanded

Kataragama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Chanaka Amila Rangana and two others were remanded till May 2 after they surrendered to Tissamaharama Magistrate’s Court today over the attack on Kataragama Police station on January 20.

Kandy riots: Suspects further remanded

Leader of the Mahasohon Balakaya Widana Pathiranage Amith Jeewan Weerasinghe, Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Kundasale Provincial Councillor Samantha Perera and others, who were arrested over the Kandy riots, were further remanded till May 02 by Teldeniya Magistrate’s Court today.

No Chinese militarization of H’tota Port: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has rejected the reports of Chinese militarization of the Hambantota Port.When Chinese Ambassador Cheng Xueyuan called on the Prime Minister on Friday

President returns

President Maithripala Sirisena, who was in London to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), returned to the country a short while ago.

Father, son hit by train in Wellawa

A 30-year-old man and his 8-month-old son were hit by an express train travelling from Kankasanthurei to Matara at Pallekotuwa in Wellawa.

Will boycott SLFP May Day Rally if changes not made-Ministers who left Govt. warn

The SLFP MPs who left the government warned that they would boycott the May Day Rally organised by the party unless the party replaced several office bearers holding key positions.

'Potta Naufer' bags awards for Avurudu games

Underworld drug kingpin 'Potta Naufer' serving a term for life for the assassination of High Court Judge Sarath Ambepitiya had won several awards for his skills in games at an Avurudu festival held at the Badulla Prison yesterday.

Three persons to be in charge of Sirikotha

United National Party (UNP) Headquarters is to be handed over to three persons who will be holding three major positions in the party as per the reorganization of the party, UNP sources said yesterday.

SLFP will leave the Unity Govt. if President decides: SB

Former Minister S. B. Dissanayake said it would be easy to prevail upon the Central Committee of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) to leave the unity government if President Maithripala Sirisena decided for it.

Never get carried away with NCM victory - Sajith

One should not get carried away with the defeat of the No-Confidence Motion but should co-concentrate on the Presidential and General Elections in 2020, Minister of Housing Sajith Premadasa said over the weekend.

Committee appointed to look into Edu. Sector political victimisation

A three-member investigation committee had been appointed by the Ministry of Public Administration and Management to look into the possibilities of providing relief to about 1, 000 education sector employees, who faced political victimisation during the recent past.

Sri Lanka condemns Kabul terror attack

Sri Lankan Government today condemned the terror attack at a voter registration centre in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Customs seize Rs.1.5Mn worth illicit fags at BIA

An attempt to smuggle in a stock of illicit cigarettes worth over Rs.1.5 million into the country by a Sri Lankan national was thwarted by the Customs officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport today.

Min. Musthapha against removing unauthorized buildings in Mirissa

Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Faiszer Musthapha yesterday opposed the Coastal Conservation Department’s decision to remove unauthorized constructions along the coastal belt in Mirissa by May 1.

19 soldiers hospitalised for dehydration

At least 19 soldiers who were engaged in a military training at the 611th Army Training School of the Security Forces Head Quarters in Pampamaduwa in Vavuniya were admitted to the District General Hospital in Vavuniya after being dehydrated today, Army sources said.

Suicide bomber strikes in Afghan capital, 31 killed

A suicide bomber struck a voter registration center in the Afghan capital on Sunday, killing at least 31 people, officials said.

Ammonia gas tragedy: Factory senior lab controller remanded

The Senior Laboratory Controller of the Horana Rubber Factory where five deaths were reported in the ammonia tank tragedy was remanded till April 25 by the Horana Magistrate’s Court today.

Lankan couple nabbed with Rs 9.1mn gold at BIA

A Sri Lankan couple, who attempted to smuggle out gold pieces and jewelry worth of Rs 9.1 million to Mumbai had been taken into custody by the Customs officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning.

Army to built first ever Vesak Pandol in KL, Malaysia

Arrangements were underway to put up a Vesak Pandol by the Sri Lanka Army in Malaysia on account of the forthcoming Vesak season to showcase the significance of Vesak, the Army said.

Special investigation into Tusker Missaka’s death

The Wild Life Department has launched a special investigation into the death of Tusker ‘Missaka,’ that frequented the Yala Sanctuary, following an order issued by the Tissamaharama Magistrate’s Court.

World’s oldest person dies in Japan at age of 117

The great-great-great-grandmother regarded as the world's oldest person has died in Japan at the age of 117.

One killed, four injured in Attanagalle musical show shooting

A 37-year-old man was killed and four others including a woman were injured in a shooting incident at a musical show in Attanagalle last night. Police said the injured were admitted to the Wathupitiwala Hospital.

May Day on three different days

May Day in Sri Lanka will be celebrated on three different days this year with trade unions and political parties planning to celebrate it on May 1, May 6 and May 7.

Twenty tourist police posts by year end: Minister

Minister of Law and Order Ranjith Madduma Bandara yesterday said that 20 Tourist Police Posts will be established within this year at identified tourist hotspots across the country to prevent the harassment of tourists.

India approves death penalty for rape of girls under 12

Indian cabinet today approved the death penalty for those convicted of raping girls below the age of 12 years amid outrage in the country after a string of horrific cases of sexual violence, the Reuters reported a whort while ago.  

DMC warns of rough seas

Naval and fishing communities were strictly advised to restrain from fishing and naval activities in the sea areas from Puttalam to Batticaloa via Colombo and Galle due to rough seas, the Disaster Management Centre today said.

Lab controller of Horana rubber factory arrested

The Senior Laboratory Controller of the Horana Rubber Factory where five deaths were reported in the ammonia tank tragedy was arrested by the police today in connection with the incident.

PM calls for expansive ties with Iran

The private sectors in Sri Lanka and Iran should cooperate closely for the implementation of joint projects following the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions on Tehran, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said.