Brothel raided in Pelawatta, 8 arrested

Seven women and a male doctor were arrested by the Nugegoda Police last evening on charges of operating a brothel under the guise of a spa at a luxury house in Pelawatta.  

Two flights diverted to BIA from Chennai Airport

Two flights, one Emirates and one Srilankan, scheduled to land at Chennai Airport had been diverted to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning because of the impact of cyclone ‘Vardah’ in Chennai.

Silver, Bronze for SL at World Chess event

Harashana Tillekaratne of Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala won the silver medal in the Under 13 age group at the World Schools Chess Championship that is being held in Sochi, Russia.

Tamil NGOs in Malaysia oppose SL President's visit

Several political parties and Indian non-governmental organisations in Malaysia have threatened to hold demonstrations if the Government allowed Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena to make a visit to the country.

SAITM: Court ruling on Jan.30

Higher Education and Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella said a Court ruling was expected on January 30 when the petition filed by two students with regard to the registration of the Malabe private medical college SAITM by the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) is taken up for hearing.

Bill English elected as New Zealand prime minister

New Zealand's ruling National Party appointed the experienced Bill English as the country's new prime minister on Monday following last week's shock resignation of his popular predecessor John Key.

JVP wants action against navy commander

JVP MP Sunil Handunnetti today urged the Government to take action against navy commander for allegedly attacking a journalist at Hambantota last morning.

H'tota assault; Journo violates basic media ethics-Govt

Government Information Department Director General Ranga Kalansooriya said that the journalist, who was allegedly assaulted during an incident in Hambantota, had violated basic ethical practices when covering sensitive conflict situations.

Southern Expressway earns record income of Rs. 17.6 mn

The start of the extended weekend was auspicious for the Southern Expressway which recorded the highest income for a single day which was Rs. 17.6 million on Saturday (10). The holidays, which began yesterday, will end on Tuesday (13), which also a Poya Day.

Journalist makes complaint of assault

Journalist Dileep Roshan lodged a complaint at the Hambantota  ASP’s Office alleging that a fat person wearing a short trouser and a blue shirt scolded him in filth and assaulted him and he later identified the assailant as the Navy Commander.

Basil leaves for US

Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa had left for the United States yesterday for medical purposes, a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna spokesman said today.

Defence Secretary asks report from Navy

Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi said today that he had asked the Navy to submit a report regarding the allegations where the Navy Commander is alleged to have threatened a journalist during a protest held at the Hambantota harbour on Saturday.

We took swift measures: Navy

The Navy took swift measures to disperse the port employees who staged a protest campaign at the Hambantota Port premises yesterday, the Navy said.

Water supply interrupts in Kaduwela

The water supply in Kaduwela was disrupted today after the bursting of the pipeline carrying water to Colombo from the Kalatuwawa Water Treatment Plant.

Govt. defending Navy action: Gota

Former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa commenting on the yesterday’s incident which took place at the protest held at the Hambantota harbour said the government was defending the Navy's unlawful action.

German man drowns in Waskaduwa beach

A 76-year-old German national was drowned while bathing in Waskaduwa beach in Kalutara yesterday.

UNP ready for any election: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is reported to have told the United National Party (UNP) Working Committee that his party was ready to face any election.

Strong winds, heavy showers expected as cyclone “Vardah” intensifies

Strong winds and heavy showers were expected in the sea areas off the Northern and Eastern coast of Sri Lanka until 12th December due to the influence of the cyclonic storm “Vardah”, the Meteorology Department said today.

Lankan peace process was not correct for Colombian case: Santos

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, who will be handed this year’s Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to achieve a peace agreement with the FARC guerrillas, says that although the Sri Lankan model was extensively studied they did not think it was the correct procedure for Colombia.

Ministerial Sub-Committee appointed to achieve sustainable development goals

The Cabinet has decided to appoint a Ministerial Sub-Committee to define and to achieve the success in the vision of sustainable development goals of Sri Lanka for 2030, Presidential Media Division said.

Salary hike on MPs will further burden Treasury: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday though the Members of Parliament were not satisfied with their salaries, increasing their salaries would create a problem given the unfavourable situation in the Treasury.  

Tense situ at Hambantota port

Tense situation prevailed at Hambantota port this morning when the navy tried to free the two ships seized by workers who were staging a protest at the port.

Seven SSPs promoted as DIGs

Seven Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) have been promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) with the approval of the National Police Commission.

73-year-old woman sits for GCE (O/L) exam

Underlining the widely believed view that the pursuit of knowledge knows no age limit, a 73-year-old woman sat for the Information Communication Technology (ICT) subject at the GCE (O/L) examination yesterday at Ilma College, Matara.

PM, Sampanthan discuss constitutional reforms with MR

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, joined by Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan, met a joint opposition’s delegation led by former president Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday and discussed constitutional reforms.

SPC minister vows to resign after budget defeat

Southern Provincial Council Agriculture Minister U.G.D. Ariyathilaka says he will resign after his ministry budget defeated at the Provincial Council.

Head on collision claims two lives at Ruwanwella

Two on board of a three wheeler were killed this evening when the vehicle crashed head on with a lorry that was transporting timber near the Rajasinghe Central College in Ruwanwella.

One dead, another injured when motorbike hits train at Padukka

A woman was killed and a man sustained serious injuries when the motorcycle they were riding on slammed against the Avissawella-bound train from Colombo at a railway crossing in Liyanwala, Padukka this evening.

How did govt. earn US$1.1 Bn from 'white elephant'? Namal

UPFA Hambantota District MP Namal Rajapaksa today asked how the Hambantota Port, which was branded as a ‘white elephant’ by the United National Party (UNP) when in the Opposition, had now become a paying concern good enough to be sold to a private company.

Some SLFP ministers conspiring against Govt: Mujibur

UNP parliamentarian Mujibur Rahuman said today there was suspicion whether some SLFP ministers with the connivance of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa were conspiring against the Government.