Restriction on Viber to be lifted from midnight today

Restriction on Viber has been lifted from midnight today, Government Information Department said.

Trump sacks Rex Tillerson as state secretary

US President Donald Trump has sacked Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, replacing him with the director of the CIA, Mike Pompeo.

Attack on Muslims only help justify Washington’s demand: Kunanayakam

Sri Lanka's former permanent representative to the UN Tamara Kunanayakam said yesterday the attacks targeting a particular ethnic or religious group would only help justify Washington’s demand that universal jurisdiction or external intervention be applied to Sri Lanka through implementation of its 2015 Human Rights Council.

Seeduwa Crime OIC arrested

The Crime OIC of the Seeduwa Police was arrested today by the Bribery Commission while soliciting a bribe of Rs.25,000 from a businessman inside the Police.

I am even suitable for premiership: John

Minister John Amaratunga said yesterday he was even suitable for the post of prime minister as he was the second longest serving member in Parliament after Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

SL actively participates in OBOR: Minister

Sri Lanka firmly adheres to the ‘One China’ policy and actively participates in the joint construction of One Belt One Road (OBOR) Initiative, Foreign Affairs Minister Thilak Marapana has said when he met Chinese Ambassador Cheng Xueyuan on March 8.

Longer the social media ban, greater the damage: US

The longer the social media ban persists in Sri Lanka, the greater the damage to tourism, the IT sector, business and the nation's reputation for freedom and openness, US Ambassador Atul Keshap said today. In a tweet, the Ambassador said so many Sri Lankans also rely on social media to connect with their loved ones overseas.

Uva-Wellassa Uni closed over chickenpox threat

The Uva-Wellassa University was today closed indefinitely in view of the possible danger of Chickenpox spreading among the students.

Social media back by Friday, FB team here on Thursday: Harin

Social media platforms, including the Facebook, which were blocked last week, would be accessible by Friday morning, Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Minister Harin Fernando said today.

Assault on private bus driver: PC member and his wife re-remanded

Southern Provincial Councillor M.K Kasun and his wife Tharaka Perera who were arrested for assaulting a private bus driver, were further remanded till March 27 by the Kaduwela Magistrate Court today.

Ramith released on bail over DUI, assault charges

The Colombo Traffic Court today granted bail to cricketer Ramith Rambukwella, in connection with four charges, including drunk driving and assaulting two undergraduate students in Narahenpita.

STF arrests gangster known Barrel Sanka

A 24-year-old underworld gang member Prabhath Madusanka alias Barrel Sanka had been arrested by the Police Special Task Force (STF) during a raid in Peliyagoda last night, the Police said.

Three fishermen missing due to rough sea

At least three fishermen along with their boat who went fishing from Nayaru in Mullaitivu had gone missing since yesterday.

UNP will field new presidential candidate - Dilip

State Minister for Fishery and Aquatic Resource Development Dilip Wedaarachchi said yesterday that steps would be taken by the UNP to field a new candidate for the forthcoming Presidential Election and defeat the boasting Lotus flower bud (Pohottuwa).

No need to extend 'State of Emergency' after Thursday

The ten-day clamped down on last Tuesday (6) will not be extended from midnight Thursday (15) as the country has fully returned to normal after sporadic communal clashes last week in Kandy and elsewhere, Law and Order Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara said yesterday.

FB says in contact with SL to identify, remove hate speech

Responding to Sri Lanka's temporary ban on social media including Facebook, the company has said it is in contact with the Sri Lankan government and non-governmental organizations to support efforts to identify and remove hate speech.

China should assure OBOR won’t threaten other countries: MS

President Maithripala Sirisena has said that China should make it clear that its 'One Belt One Road' (OBOR) initiative will not pose any threat to other countries, NHK World reported today.President Sirisena has made these remark in an interview with NHK ahead of his visit to Japan on Monday. He will meet Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his stay.

Lankan maid shot dead in Saudi Arabia

A Sri Lankan woman was killed by gunfire in Buraidah, Saudi Arabia Saturday morning. A Saudi man who was accused of opening fire on the woman later committed suicide by shooting himself.

Govt. maintains social media ban to tackle anti-Govt. sentiments: PHU

The Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) today said the government was attempting to suppress anti-government sentiments by banning social media platforms and urged the government to lift the ban immediately.

Aircraft spares found in retired airman’s house

Police recovered several parts of an aircraft from a house of a retired officer of Sri Lanka Air force in Alubomulla, Panadura today, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Appoint a Parliamentary committee before PCoI: GL

It was much fitting to appoint a parliamentary committee to look into the affairs of the recent unrests before a Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) to be appointed over the investigations, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Head Prof. G.L. Peiris said today.

Update: 38 dead in Kathmandu airplane crash

At least 38 people had been killed when the US-Bangla plane carrying 71 passengers and crew crashed on landing at Nepal's Kathmandu airport, the BBC reported a short while ago. Rescuers had pulled bodies from the charred wreckage of the plane, operated by Bangladeshi airline US-Bangla, after a raging fire was put out.

Time to lift ban on social media: Australia

The Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Bryce Hutchesson today said it was time to lift the ban imposed on social media in the country. “Time, overdue, to lift Sri Lanka’s blanket blocking of key social media platforms - a blunt instrument,” Mr. Hutchesson tweeted.

Big matches in Kandy re-fixed

The big matches between Trinity College and St. Anthony’s College and St. Sylvester College and Vidyartha College in Kandy have been rescheduled.

Plane crash at Kathmandu airport: Passengers feared dead

A plane has crashed at Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, BBC reported.

Student who posted false news re-remanded

The 18-year-old student of a leading school in Colombo, who is alleged to have posted fake news on social media on the recent tense situation, was today re-remanded till March 26 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lal Ranasinghe Bandara.

8 spill gates of Parakrama Samudra opened

Eight spill gates of the Parakrama Samudra were opened a short while ago because of the rising water levels after the heavy rains in the catchment areas, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

Current issues because govt. following NGO’s advice: Gota

Former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said yesterday the main reason for most of the issues in the country was the result of following the advice of NGOs rather than seeking advice of the Maha Sanga.

Hate-filled people are the main culprits, not social media: US

US Ambassador Atul Keshap said hate-filled people who exploited new ways to fan the flames of intolerance and violence are the real main culprits of racial tensions.

President arrives in Japan

After concluding the two day official visit to India, President Maithripala Sirisena arrived in Japan today to further strengthen the long standing bilateral relations between Japan and Sri Lanka, the President’s Media said