SL failed to take advantage of JR's economic concepts: PM

Asian nations will account for 50 per cent of global GDP by the year 2050, as a result of first steps taken by countries such as Sri Lanka during the time of late President J R Jayewardene, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.

Nuwan Kulasekara released on bail

Fast bowler Nuwan Kulasekara who was arrested following a fatal accident involving his vehicle at Ranmuthugala, Kadawatha was released on bail this evening, Police said.

New York bombing suspect named as Ahmad Khan Rahami

US officials are looking for Ahmad Khan Rahami, a naturalised US citizen who was born in Afghanistan, for questioning over explosions in New York and New Jersey on Saturday.

Whom to trust? Gammanpila

Top government leaders had different opinions on the unitary character of the country and the prominence given to Buddhism which had resulted in utter confusion, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) General Secretary MP Udaya Gammanpila said today.

Nuwan Kulasekara arrested after fatal accident

Fast bowler Nuwan Kulasekara had been arrested this evening following a fatal accident at Kadawatha, Police said.

CCTV cameras in cells

In the wake of an inmate found dead at the Matara Prison, the Law and Order Ministry said today that CCTV cameras would be installed in all Police cells to monitor the detainees.

MR on VAT: Milking the sick

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who expressed his opposition to the Valued Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, urged the Government to reconsider its proposals at least at this stage.

DIG Vass, wife, son, 5 others indicted in SLIIT abduction case

Colombo High Court served indictments on former DIG Vass Gunawardena, his wife Shamalie Priyadarshani Perera, son Ravindu and five other Police officers of the CCD, who had been named by the Attorney General as accused in the Nipuna Ramanayake assault case.

Zika: Ministry issues warning

The Health Ministry issued a travel warning today that it was unsafe for Sri Lankan pregnant women to travel to countries affected with Zika virus.

Development impossible without good governance: Samarasinghe

Achieving Development Goals is impossible without good governance, rule of law and respect for human rights, Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said.

President arrives in NY amidst tight security

President Maithripala Sirisena arrived at the John F Kennedy Airport in New York September 18 evening amidst tight security as the city suffered a major security threat with an explosive device going off on the previous day injuring 29 persons.

Fire at Uva Science College: Employee injured

A non academic staff employee was hospitalized with severe burns after a fire broke out in a storeroom at the Uva Science College at Hali-Ela, Badulla this morning.

Lake House employees demand pay hike

A group of employees of the Lake House Publishers launched a protest campaign outside the Lake House building in Fort, Colombo today demanding a salary increment.  Several employees were seen protesting on the roof of the building.

Prisoner found hanging in prison cell

A prisoner was found dead hanging in a cell at the Matara Prisons this morning, the Prisons Department said.

Two brothers drown; mother and father found dead

Two bodies of a male and female believed to be that of a husband (54) and wife (46) were found hanging on a tree this morning, a day after their two sons drowned at Kalkudah, Trincomalee.

Magistrate tells Thewarapperuma: Law makers should abide by the law

Matugama Chief Magistrate Wasantha Kosala Senadira, yesterday, warned United National Party (UNP) MP Palitha Thewarapperua over his non appearance in court.

SLFP supports VAT Bill

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) said yesterday the Valued Added Tax (Amendment) Bill was redrafted well in consultation with it, and therefore it had no reason to oppose it in Parliament.

Two Kuwaiti men, one in women’s clothes, arrested over hotel brawl

Two Kuwaiti men including a 22-year-old who was dressed in female attire were arrested by the police today on charges of damaging the properties of a hotel in Ella, Police said.

National HR action plan is in process: Minister Samarasinghe

The government is now in the process of drafting a national human rights action plan for the period 2017-2021, Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training Mahinda Samarasinghe said.

Pussellawa Police OIC transferred

OIC of the Pussellawa Police Station L. Kaluarachchi was transferred to the Gampola Police Station today pending an investigation into the death of a 30-year-old man while in police custody.

More SL women going to UAE as housemaids

More Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi women have been coming to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in recent years because of the shortage of housemaids there in the wake of a ban imposed by some other Asian nations on women going to the UAE to work as housemaids, Gulf News reported today.

Two ‘sweet-tooth’ thieves arrested

Two men were arrested today by the Bentota Police for allegedly stealing Rs.200,000 worth of sweets including toffees, chocolates and cheese from super markets across the country, Police said.

Youth killed in accident involving MP’s nephew

A 27-year-old was killed and a 28-year-old was seriously injured in an accident in Gonapeenuwala, Hikkaduwa involving a speeding Sports car driven by a 17-year-old nephew of Opposition MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena yesterday night, police said.

Man dies in police cell: SI, PC suspended

The death of a 30-year-old man while in police custody has resulted in a Sub Inspector and a Police constable attached to the Pussellawa Police Station to be suspended from duties.

Lankan arrested with Rs. 12.3mn foreign currencies

A Sri Lankan national, who attempted to smuggle out Rs. 12.3 million in foreign currencies, had been arrested by the Customs at the Bandaranaike International Airport this morning, Sri Lankan Customs sources said.

President leaves for New York

President Maithripala Sirisena left for the United States a short while ago to attend the 71st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Sessions.

Iranian cyclist dies during Paralympics race in Rio

An Iranian Para-cyclist has died after a crash during the men's C4-5 road race at the Rio Paralympics.

At least 25 wounded in New York City blast

An explosion rocked the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan and caused at least 25 injuries on Saturday, the New York City Fire Department said, prompting emergency personnel to swarm one of the most bustling areas of the city on a cool autumn evening.

Fire at plastic factory in Kiribathgoda

A fire broke out at a plastic factory in Hunupitiya, Kiribathgoda early this morning.

We are opposed to any type of federalism: JO

In the wake of former President Chandrika Kumaratunga calling for a Federal and Quasi-Secular Constitution for Sri Lanka, the joint opposition (JO) said it was totally opposed to ‘Federalism’ as a means to resolving the national question.