ISIS' territory has shrunk by 16% to the size of SL: Research

The amount of territory controlled by the Islamist militant group, the so-called Islamic State (ISIS), has shrunk by 16 percent so far this year, according to new research from IHS Markit.

President back from Thailand

President Maithripala Sirisena arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last night after a four day official visit to attend the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) meeting at Bangkok, Thailand, President’s Media Division said.

Indian Ship "Samudra Paheredar" arrives in Colombo

The Indian Coast Guard Ship "Samudra Paheredar" arrived at the Colombo Port yesterday on a goodwill visit, the Navy said.  

CB establishes authenticity of leaked report on primary dealer

The Central Bank yesterday in a statement admitted that the report on the controversial primary dealer Perpetual Treasuries, which has been given widespread media coverage, was in fact a leaked internal document, establishing its authenticity.

SLC to reject ‘Big Three’

Ahead of the ICC Board meeting in Cape Town this week, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) chief Thilanga Sumathipala said they will not support any move to bring back the ‘Big Three’ module. Sumathipala will leave to South Africa today to attend the board meeting.

Constitution making -- Steering Committee to submit report soon

Dr. Jayampathi Wickramaratne, who is a member of the Steering Committee on Constitutional Reforms, said yesterday the 21-member Committee would submit a report to the Constitutional Assembly (CA) in two weeks outlining the progress in the constitution-making process.

JO loyalists triumph in Arachchikattuwa

Candidates supporting the Joint Opposition have secured 175 votes while candidates supporting the UNP have obtained only 9 votes in the election to select members for the Arachchikattuwa Cooperative Society in the Puttalam district on Friday (7).

GK depositors losing confidence

A group of Golden Key depositors said the confidence they had on the Central Bank is waning because it had failed to fully execute its plans to repay all the troubled finance company depositors within the stipulated time-frame.

Change of wind pattern results in dry weather-Met.Dept

Change of wind pattern in the Indian Ocean had resulted in the present dry spell, Department of Meteorology said on Monday.

Bail condition relaxed on Vaas Gunawardane's wife

Former DIG Vaas Gunawardena’s wife Shamalie’s bail condition was relaxed by ordering her to appear before the CID on the last Sundays of every month instead of the last Sundays of every week.

Iran to cooperate with SL on development plans

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani while calling for further Tehran-Colombo ties, voiced Iranian companies’ readiness to participate in development plans in Sri Lanka, MEHR reported.

Body parts kept with PS and Police permission: SAITM

The Board of Management of the South Asian Institute of Technology & Medicine (SAITM) said today it had secured approval both from the Police and from the Kaduwela Pradeshiya Sabha keep specimens of human body parts and bones for teaching purposes.

SL will take lead in science and innovation: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said at the Second Summit of the ‘Asian Co-operation Dialogue’ in Bangkok today that Sri Lanka will take the lead as a prime mover on the pillar of science, technology, and innovation.

High-level delegation led by Speaker visiting China

A top level parliamentary delegation led by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya is reported to have travelled to China on Sunday as part of the initiatives to strengthen relations between the two countries.

Namal files two defamatory cases

MP Namal Rajapaksa today filed two defamatory cases in the Colombo District Court against two investigative officers of the FCID on the manner in which it had investigated allegations of misappropriating Rs.70 million paid to him by the Krrish Company for a rugby tournament in 2013.

FCID quizzes Lohan

The Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) today recorded a statement from MP Lohan Ratwatte in connection with alleged irregularities which occurred during the construction of the Diyagama Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports Complex.

60 children hospitalized in bus accident

At least 60 children were hospitalised after the bus they were travelling in skidded off the road in Agarapathana on the Agarapathana-Thalawakale Road this morning.

Water supply only for 18 hrs a day

The 24 hour water supply will be curtailed to 18 hours a day in the near future, due to the adverse drought conditions prevalent in the country, National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) Chairman K.A. Ansar announced today.

Basil and former IGP at PRECIFAC

Former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and former IGP Mahinda Balasuriya arrived at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Investigate and Inquire into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) to give statements over two separate allegations.

Duminda hospitalised

Former Parliamentarian Duminda Silva, who is currently serving a death sentence at the Welikada Prison, has been sent to the Prisons Hospital to be treated for yellow fever, according to hospital sources.

Colombia's President Santos donates Nobel money to conflict victims

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos has said he will donate the money from the Nobel Peace prize to help the victims of the 52-year conflict in his country.

SL cricket team attack mastermind killed in Afghanistan

A dreaded Pakistani terrorist linked to the 2009 attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore was killed in a joint operation by Afghan—US special forces in Afghanistan bordering Pakistan, a media report said on Sunday.

Mentally-ill asylum seeker posed as suicide bomber at Lime Street

An asylum seeker alleged to be a Tamil Tiger spy posed as a suicide bomber at Lime Street station after learning he was being deported.

Two members of same family hacked to death

Two members of the same family-father (60) and son (25) - were hacked to death at Murawesihena, Angunukolapellessa in the Hambantota District yesterday night, the police said. Their bodies are presently lying at a hospital in the area.

I have a suspicion about Gotabaya -- Hirunika

Government MP Hirunika Premachandra alleged todaythat former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa gave all forms of protection to the person convicted of the murder of her father Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra after the crime, and, therefore, she had her doubts about the incident .

‘No disciplinary action against SLFP JO members’

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Organizer Mahinda Amaraweera said the party leadership had no intention of taking disciplinary action against members who work with the Joint Opposition and organize meetings and gatherings against the current government. 

Man hit by train in Ahungalla

A 40-year-old man was killed after being hit by an express train travelling from Colombo to Matara at Ahungalla a short while ago.  Police said the victim had been sitting on the railway track waiting for the train to come and run him over. 

Canada passes Bill calling for Tamil Heritage Month

Canada yesterday officially declared that it will celebrate the culture of its Tamil population each January.

Teacher can make a child a worthy man: President

School is the place where the child, given birth by mother is converted to a philosopher, scholar, intellectual, artist, politician and leader of the people, while teacher is the one who makes the child a true human, President Maithripala Sirisena said recently.

Battered nightclub bouncer unable to identify assailants

The battered nightclub bouncer was unable to identify the men who assaulted him on Saturday, Maradana Police said.