Fire engulfs ancient 'heart' of Tibetan Buddhism

A large fire has damaged one of the holiest and most politically sensitive sites in Tibet, the Jokhang temple, stirring an outpouring of grief and concern among Tibetans, the Guardian reported.

50 Jaffna youths join Army

A total of 50 unemployed boys and girls in Jaffna, including rehabilitated former LTTE combatants, had joined the Sri Lanka Army under the militarized category reported for non-military duties on Thursday at the Security Force Headquarters in Jaffna (SFHQ-J), Ministry of Defence said.

Brazilian arrested at BIA for cocaine trafficking

A 36-year-old Brazilian man has been taken into custody at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on Friday on charges of cocaine trafficking, Acting Customs Spokesman Vipula Minuwanpitiya said.

51-year-old man, wife shot at in Thalangama

A 51-year-old man and his 48-year-old wife were shot at while they were sleeping at their home in Wimalathissa Mawatha,Thalangama South early this morning, Police said.  

Yala National Park earns Rs.700 mn in 2017

The Yala National Park has earned Rs.700.58 million in 2017, the highest income earned by a national park in Sri Lanka, the Sustainable Development and Wildlife Ministry has said.The number of people visited the Yala National Park last year was also recorded as the highest number of visitors.

Three Iranian ships in Sri Lanka

Three Iranian Naval ships- Bayandor, Naghdi and Tonb-arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday on a goodwill visit, the Ministry of Defence today said.

Ranjan to work towards a truce between Prez and PM

Deputy Minister Ranjan Ramanayake said yesterday he had met President Maithripala Sirisena to bring about a truce with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and iron out any differences between them.

We need urgent political reforms: JHU

While highlighting the need to introduce political reforms, Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) General Secreatry and Minister, Patali Champika Ranawaka said yesterday the government should be humble enough to accept the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) as the main opposition in Parliament.

Met Dept forecast mist in several provinces

The Department of Meteorology yesterday forecast mist in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Central provinces during the next few days and that fairly strong winds of up to 40 kmph are expected in the Uva and North-Western Provinces and in the Hambantota and Ampara districts.

UNP must undergo drastic changes soon: Sujeewa

While rejecting reports that he would quit the UNP, State Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe yesterday said he would resign from the post of party electoral organiser if party did not undergo drastic and immediate changes.

Prime Minister's post: Speaker's name proposed

The fissures within the unity government over the post of Prime Minister have been widened with a group of UNP MPs pushing for the appointment of Speaker Karu Jayasuriya as the Prime Minister.

End instability, confusion and fulfil promises: Malwatte Mahanayake

In a letter to President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Malwatte Chapter Mahanayake Most Venerable Tibbotuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Thera has urged them to end the instability and confusion resulted in the country following the Local Government polls and to deliver promises made at the last Presidential and General Elections.

Implement 25% Quota for Women in LG polls : Rosy

In reference to the statement made by Elections Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya that the implementation of the 25% quota for women in local government elections is uncertain, Colombo's Mayor-elect Rosy Senanayake urged the EC Chairman to take steps to implement the 25% Quota for Women in LG polls immediately.

UNP supporter hospitalised

A supporter of the United National Party (UNP) has been hospitalised after he was injured during a clash allegedly taken place between the supporters of the UNP and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) in Biyagama today.

Minimum age for indictments up from 8 to 12

The Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) will be amended to increase the minimum age limit, for filing indictments, from the current eight years of age to twelve, Cabinet spokesman, and Minister, Gayantha Karunatilaka said.

Man shot and killed in Hulftsdorp, gunman dies of assault wounds

A 39-year-old man was shot and killed near the Hulftsdorp Courts Complex in Colombo while the shooter, who was assaulted by the people, died due to the injuries sustained.

I’ll continue as PM under the Constitution: Ranil

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today he would continue to function as the Prime Minister under the current Constitutional provisions and that any attempt to form a new government should also be carried out in line with those provisions.

Mahendran ordered to report to CID before March 8

The Colombo Fort Magistrate today issued a new order on former Central Bank governor Arjuna Mahendran to report to the CID on or before March 8. Earlier, the Fort Magistrate ordered Mahendran to report to the CID before February 15 and directed that the court order be sent via Singapore International Police to Mr. Mahendran's residence.

Aloysius, Palisena re-remanded

Perpetual Treasuries Ltd., owner Arjun Aloysius and its Chief Executive Officer Kasun Palisena were re-remanded till March 2 by Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today over the Central Bank bond scam.

Bail refused to Aloysius, Palisena

Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today refused to grant bail to Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) owner Arjun Aloysius and CEO Kasun Palisena.

Warrant re-issued on Jaliya Wickramasuriya

Colombo Fort Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today re-issued the open warrant against former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the USA, Jaliya Wickramasuriya in the case of alleged misappropriation of USD 132,000 of State funds in the process of purchasing a building for the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington DC, USA.

President to seek legal advice on removing PM: JO

Joint opposition MP Kumara Welgama said President Maithripala Sirisena had assured them he would consult the Attorney General and legal experts on the possibility of removing the Prime Minister.

JO meets President

A special discussion got underway with President Maithripala Sirisena and representatives of the Joint opposition at President’s House, a short while ago.

Susil meets MR

SLFP National Organiser Susil Premajayantha met former president Mahinda Rajapaksa at Mr. Rajapaksa’s official residence this morning.

High Court permits Namal to travel abroad

The High Court today permitted Namal Rajapaksa to travel abroad from February 20 to May 30.

Don't be afraid, you have our backing: JO assures SLFP

The Joint Opposition (JO) yesterday told the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) not to be afraid when making a decision to form its own government and assured them that they were there to support them once they make that call.  

Nimal Siripala for Premier; signatures of MPs obtained

A move to obtain sufficient signatures to prove that Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva commands the majority support in Parliament and eligible to be appointed as the Prime Minister, has been commenced yesterday noon.

Cabinet illegal, Prez has power to appoint PM: Sarath

In another conundrum to the present gridlock in governance, former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva argued yesterday that the entire Cabinet including the Prime Minister stood illegal at the moment as the two year period stipulated for the national unity government had ceased.

Team sent to bring Udayanga return empty-handed

The special seven-member team which was sent to Dubai to bring back former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga had returned home empty-handed on Tuesday (13), a senior official of the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) said.

Changes in UNP coming soon

The United National Party (UNP) is to undergo changes with party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe expected to make an announcement on changes soon.