Framework for democracy, reconciliation and development in place: Mangala

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said the National Unity Government was now putting in place the framework for democracy, reconciliation and development.

Hooting: Foolish act, if happened, says MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today said it was a foolish act if the Joint Opposition supporters hooted in front of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s’ (SLFP) headquarters during the Paada Yathra.

Disgraceful deal between MR and RW: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) alleged today that the most disgraceful deal in the country was taking place between Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Speaker not yet signed RTI: Dinesh

Joint Opposition leader MP Dinesh Gunawardena today rejected Minister Gayantha Karunathilaka’s statement that the Speaker had placed his signature on the Right to Information (RTI) Bill allowing it to become the law.

Countrywide WiFi facilities from Nov: Harin

The government will set up WiFi hotspots at 400 locations by November 1, Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Minister Harin Fernando said today.

Thajudeen murder: CID says calls were from Presidential Secretariat

Senior State Counsel Dilan Rathnayake today told Court that according to the information revealed from the phone details of Former OIC of the Narahenpita Police Damian Perera, in connection with the murder of the killing of ruggerite Wasim Thajudeen, the CID had recovered that the phone calls were received from the Presidential Secretariat on the day the incident happened.

Emirates plane on fire after crash-landing

An Emirates passenger jet has crash landed at Dubai Airport this morning before exploding into a massive fireball on the runway.

Tamil for pre-interns hits snag as Ministries squabble

Tamil language training programme for pre-intern medical officers was halted this year as a result of a tug-of-war between the Health Ministry and Ministry of National Languages and Social Integration, the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) said yesterday.

Three killed in motorbike-train collision

A mother and her two children were killed  when the motorcycle they were riding on collided with a Colombo-bound train from Kankasanthurai at a railway crossing in Weragala, Wellawa at Kurunegala today.

Lasantha killing: suspect further remanded

The suspect taken into custody in connection with the killing of Sunday Leader Chief Editor Lasantha Wickramathunga was today remanded till August 11 by the Mount Lavinia Chief Magistrate.

Warrant on singer for infringing MS’s copyrights

Colombo Chief Magistrate today issued arrest warrant on MG Dhanushka over not appearing before Court for the inquiry against him for violating Intellectual Property Act by singing the late popular singer MS Fernando's songs illegally without obtaining permission from the original copyright owner.

Protestors halt trains in Medawachchiya

Two trains bound to Colombo and Kankasanthurei on the Northern Railway line have been halted in Medawachchiya due to a protest carried out by a group of unprotected railway gates keepers.

35 arrested for polluting Kelani River, Hamilton Canal

At least 35 people including 25 women were arrested by the Police Naval Division on charges of dumping garbage into the Kelani River and Hamilton Canal yesterday.

30-year-old shot dead in Boralesgamuwa

A 30-year-old man was shot dead by an unidentified gang outside the Katuwawala Temple in Boralesgamuwa last night, Police said.

Avant Garde Captain re-remanded till Aug. 8

Avant Garde Captain Gennady Garvlov, remanded on charges of possessing and transporting illegal weapons was yesterday re-remanded till August 8 by Galle Chief Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura.

SLFP to decide on disciplinary action at CC meeting

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Central Committee will take disciplinary action against members of the party who participated at the paada yathra organized by the joint opposition.

Paada Yathra was a success: JO

The Joint Opposition (JO) said yesterday that its Jana Satana Paada Yathrawa was a major success despite statements to the contrary by the government -- and that the march proved that it, and not the Opposition in parliament, was the real Opposition.

Members of former govt. are telling fairy tales: MS

The members of the former government are now walking the streets and telling fairy tales. But the people are suffering due to the economic debacle caused by them,” President Maithripala Sirisena charged yesterday.

We could enrich our nation through dialogue: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday that it was only through engaging in dialogue and accepting the convergences of these systems and cultures that we could enrich our own nation at a time when social equities and equalities of market economies as well as religious extremism had come to the forefront.

Port City: Indian pressure forced SL to suspend and revisit project: Rajitha

Cabinet Spokesman and Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne revealed today that the Chinese funded ‘Port City Project’ (PCP) initiated by the Mahinda Rajapaksa government had to be suspended and re-visited under pressure from India.

25 injured after bus topples in Kataragama

At least twenty five people were injured when a bus travelling from Kataragama to Ampara toppled on the Sellakataragama - Buttala Road when it tried to overtake a lorry carrying a backhoe this afternoon.

GMOA demands vehicle permits every 5 years

Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) yesterday demanded duty free vehicle permits for senior state officers once in five years from the present limit of twice during the entire service period.

Speaker signs RTI bill into law

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya placed his signature on the much-awaited Right to Information (RTI) Bill which was unanimously approved by Parliament on June 24, Mass Media and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Gayantha Karunatilaka said today.

Cabinet approves ammunition storage in Oyamaduwa

The Cabinet approved the building of an armoury complex to international standards and specifications in Oyamaduwa Anuradhapura.

Bones unearthed near Mannar mass grave

Two skeletal remains, suspected to be that of human, has been unearthed from an abandoned well near the Thiruketheeswaram mass grave Site in Mannar, Police said.

Minister commends TN CM’s move to ban bottom trawling

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Mahinda Amaraweera today welcomed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa Jayaram’s request to the Indian Central Government to ban bottom trawling in Sri Lankan waters.

Airman found dead in Bolgoda Lake

The body of a 38-year-old Air force personal attached to the Ratmalana Air Force camp was found in the Bolgoda Lake at Horeithuduwa, Panadura this morning.

India to revive economic ties with SL, China, Pakistan

The Central government of India on Monday said it is trying to revive the historic maritime cultural and economic ties with 39 countries including Sri Lanka, China, Pakistan, Cambodia and Qatar under a new initiative called 'Mausam'.

Trial against Uduwe Thera fixed for Sep. 20

The trial against Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera, over allegedly keeping an elephant calf without a license, was fixed for September 20 and 21 by Colombo High Court Judge Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne today.

Dayan Jayatilake replies to Mangala

Sri Lanka’s former Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Dayan Jayatilake has sent the following statement as a right of reply to the statement made by Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera since Mr. Jayatilake's name has been mentioned.