Mahela tells officials to keep their hands off the Test cricket format

Former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene has urged cricket officials to resist tinkering with the longer format of the game.

Customs seizes 1.3 mn Chinese fags valued at Rs. 75 mn

The Customs Central Investigation Bureau officers seized 1.3 million cigarettes valued at Rs. 75 mn at Orugodawatte Rank Container Terminal (RCT) today, Customs Spokesman Dharmasena Kahandawa said.

12 more Indian fishermen arrested in SL waters

Sri Lanka Navy today assisted the Sri Lanka Coast Guard to arrest 12 Indian fishermen along with 2 Indian fishing trawlers, poaching in Sri Lankan waters in the seas off Thalaimannar.

Paneerselvam asks Modi to send 'firm' message to SL

Taking up the latest detention of seven fishermen, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Tuesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send a firm message to Sri Lanka over continued apprehension of the state's fishermen and said a permanent solution would be in restoring India's sovereignty over Katchatheevu islet.

President wishes Karunanidhi speedy recovery

Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena on Tuesday wished ailing DMK chief M Karunanidhi a speedy recovery.

29 killed, 72 injured in Mexico fireworks blast

Explosions ripped through a fireworks market north of Mexico City on Tuesday, killing at least 29 people and sending columns of smoke into the sky.

Govt. should implement pledges: CV

“The government should implement without delay the pledges made regarding the Tamil people while entering into pacts,” said C. V. Wigneswaran, the Chief Minister of the Northern Province

Mother dolphin wails as its young one dies

A seven month old dolphin which had fallen sick had been carefully looked after by its mother. The mother had spent its time swimming about in the Ambalangoda fisheries harbour accompanying the young one, apparently seeking help from the humans.

I was told to ‘sign or resign’-Media ministry secretary

The agreement to provide vehicles on lease terms to 58 MPs holding chairmanships in Divisional Coordinating Committees has run into a snag with the Secretary of the Ministry of Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media Nimal Bopage refusing to place his signature on the said agreement.

"Gemunu" gulps down tourists' money, travel doc, camera at Yala

The wild elephant “Gemunu” that frequents the Yala-Kataragama road and fed by the pilgrims and tourists had yesterday swallowed a bag with cash, travel documents and photographic equipment belonging to group of German tourist.

Close down SAITM: JVP

In fresh disclosures on the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM), the JVP today alleged that the private medical college had bribed some of the members of the sub-committee appointed by the oversight committee which recommended that it should be converted into a public-private partnership.

Travel-service counters at BIA: Successful bidders get nod to operate

Transport and Civil Aviation Ministry Secretary said today he had instructed Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd Chairman to act in line with the court ruling and provide contracts to companies which have successfully tendered to operate travel-service counters at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

Audio of alleged telephone conversation between MR and Lasantha goes viral

An audio said to be of a conversation between former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickramatunga is circulating in websites and the social media.

Former SLTB Chairman Shashi Welgama arrested

Former SLTB Chairman Shashi Welgama was arrested by the CID over a financial fraud at the Sri Lanka Transport Board.

Namal asks why MDMK leader opposed to laws protecting SL fishermen

Namal Rajapaksa, Sri Lankan parliamentarian and son of the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, has asked why MarumalarchiDravidaMunnetraKazhagam (MDMK) leader Vaiko opposed laws that seek to protect Sri Lankan Tamil fishermen, The Hindu reported.

TU claims postal strike a success

The Joint Postal Trade Union (JPTU) Convener Chinthaka Bandara said today their token strike was a success.

We did not talk to China about regime change: JO

The joint opposition today denied rumours that it had held talks with China on a regime change in Sri Lanka, but reiterated that it was opposed to the sale of the country’s national resources.

Madras High Court bans Sharia courts in TN

The Madras High Court on Monday directed the Tamil Nadu government to ban all unauthorised 'Sharia' courts functioning on premises of mosques in the state while hearing a petition of a man who was allegedly forced to give talaq by one such court in the city.

Police check Hummer in Matara

The Matara Police today stopped an American-made Hummer Jeep said to have been driven by the son of a billionaire businessman because it had no registration number and when questioned the driver, he is reported to have produced the insurance certificate and a letter from the Department of Motor Traffic permitting the use of the vehicle.

Russian envoy’s killing violates rights of diplomats: Mangala

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera today condemned the assassination of Russian Ambassador to Turkey, Andrey Karlov, and said he considered it a violation of a diplomat’s right to represent his or her country.

7 Indian fishermen arrested in SL waters

Sri Lanka Navy today assisted the Sri Lanka Coast Guard to arrest 7 Indian fishermen along with 2 Indian fishing trawlers, poaching in Sri Lankan waters in the seas off Delft Island.

President decides to hold LG election early next year

President Maithripala Sirisena informed the leaders of his United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) yesterday that the local government elections would be conducted early next year.

Transport Ministry to limit three wheeler imports

Transport Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said yesterday that the ministry had decided to limit the importation of three-wheelers in future and to issue licences to drive three-wheelers only to persons above the age of 35 years.

1,200cc Ducati bike seized

A high-end, high powered motorcycle worth over Rs.4 million, which had been smuggled into the country under the patronage of the son of a former VVIP during the previous regime, was seized by the police from a place where it was hidden in Keselwatta, yesterday.

Truck plows into crowd at Berlin Christmas market, 12 dead

A truck plowed into a crowded Christmas market in central Berlin on Monday evening, killing 12 people and injuring 48 others in what Germany's interior minister said looked like an attack.

Mumbai Indians to retain Malinga for IPL-2017

Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga is to be retained by the Mumbai Indians ahead of 2017 Indian Premier League season.

Russian ambassador shot dead in Ankara

The Russian ambassador to Turkey has died after being shot by a gunman in Ankara, where he was attending a photo exhibition, the Russian Foreign Ministry has confirmed.

IMF chief found guilty of criminal negligence

Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, was found guilty on Monday of criminal charges linked to the misuse of public funds during her time as France’s finance minister, a verdict that could force her out of her post.

Postal leave cancelled due to token strike

The Postal Department today announced the cancellation of leave of all employees attached to postal service as of midnight (December 19).

Postal service to launch two-day token strike

The Joint Postal Trade Unions Front (JPTUF) announced today  that the officers attached to postal service had decided to launch an island wide two-day token strike starting from tomorrow midnight over several demands, including an immediate solution to the recruitments and promotions issues at the Postal Department.