India-SL road link in the works: Union minister

The Centre is also looking at connecting India and Sri-Lanka via a sea-bridge following the inauguration of Agartala-Dhaka bus service and signing of the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal motor vehicle agreement, Road Transport and Highways Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Tuesday.

Egypt court confirms Morsi death sentence

An Egyptian court upheld Tuesday a death sentence against ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi for plotting jailbreaks and attacks on police during the country's 2011 uprising.

MS should have cracked down on pro-MR rallies: Hirunika

Western Provincial Councillor Hirunika Premachandra said yesterday that if President Maithripala Sirisena had taken disciplinary action against those who had participated in the Nugegoda Rally which was held to promote former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Prime Ministerial candidature, similar rallies would not have been held elsewhere later.

Wijeyadasa: Domestic inquiry will be credible

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe yesterday vowed that the domestic inquiry, the Sri Lankan government would launch to investigate the excesses allegedly took place at the final phase of the war, would for surely be a credible mechanism for the global as well as the local community.

12 Chinese men with forged e-tickets deported

A dozen Chinese men who had obtained tourist visas to enter the country by producing forged return electronic tickets were nabbed by officers of the Department of Immigration and Emigration on Monday.

New Task Force to curb cyber bullying via social media

The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) had appointed a Task Force to combat the growing threat to children and youth posed by bullying and sexual harassment via social media sites and mobile phone devices, NCPA Chairperson Natasha Balendra said.

​No-faith motion on Ravi on July 6

The Opposition had agreed to take the no-confidence motion against Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake for debate on July 6, Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody said.

Lankans in S. Korea out of MERS scare

All Sri Lankans including migrant workers in South Korea were safe from MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) virus that had an outbreak in that country, Bureau of Foreign Employment said today.

Maithri wants unity in SLFP

President Maithripala Sirisena, at a top level meeting of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), had stressed the need to preserve unity in the party and had appointed a six member committee to resume the dialogue with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to evolve measures in this direction, sources told the Daily Mirror.

Video: Rathana Thera wants a new govt. before polls to pass 20A

Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) Parliamentarian Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera, who is the spearhead of National Council for Clean Tomorrow (NCCT) today called for a formation of new government before Parliamentary elections to pass the 20th Amendment to the Constitution.

Vass Gunawardena granted bail

Former DIG Vass Gunawardena and four other accused, who were in remand custody for allegedly killing businessman Mohamed Shiyam, were granted bail today by the High Court.

Red notice on Sicille: HC seeks report

The High Court today issued an order to the OIC of CID Interpol Unit to file a report regarding the progress of the red notice previously issued for the arrest of Sicille Kotelawala, wife of businessman Lalith Kotelawala.  

Video: Obama to visit SL by year end

US President Barak Obama had assured that he would visit Sri Lanka at the end of this year, Leader of the House and Plantation Industries Minister Lakshman Kiriella told a news briefing today. 

Lankan assaulted in special camp in India

A Sri Lankan Tamil, Y. Srijeyan (39), housed in a special camp in Madras, India, sustained a head injury after he was allegedly assaulted by two other inmates on Sunday night.

Veteran actor Tony Ranasinghe no more

Veteran actor Tony Ranasinghe passed away this morning at the age of 77 at a private hospital  in Colombo. He was born in July 31, 1937 in Modara.

STF nabs Peliyagoda constable for selling heroin

In a shocking detection, the Police Special Task Force yesterday arrested a Police Constable attached to the Peliyagoda Crime Division for selling heroin, with 120 sachets.

CEB to convert all diesel power plants to gas

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) will convert all its furnace oil and diesel powered power plants to gas powered plants in the near future using the gas deposits found in the Mannar basin which will be a major turning point of the economic, trade and industrial progress in Sri Lanka, Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

‘Transparent process crucial for reconciliation’

A transparent process to develop credible mechanism for accountability and reconciliation is needed in Sri Lanka ahead of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) report at the September session, United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said.

Solheim has no role in SL affairs-Mangala

Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera said today that former Norwegian peace envoy Erik Solheim had absolutely no role to play in Sri Lankan affairs, but that his views on engagement with the diaspora, in the context of his long experience, were of value.

28 injured in Matale accident

Twenty-eight people were hospitalised following an accident, when a SLTB bus collided with a lorry on the A-9 Road at Mahawela in Matale, the Police said.

Supreme Court dismisses SF’s FR petition

The Supreme Court today dismissed a Fundamental Rights petition filed by Capt. Senaka Haripriya de Silva, on behalf of Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka seeking his reinstatement to Parliament.

CBK led govt. was the worst: Bandula

The economic and political policies adopted during the tenure of former President Chandrika Kumaratunga were the worst in the history of Sri Lanka, United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Bandula Gunawardena charged today.

AG files appeal over Kotakethana verdict

The Attorney General (AG) had filed a Leave to Appeal application before Court of Appeal challenging an order of the High Court to acquit and discharge all accused in the killing of a mother, and her daughter at Kotakethana in July 2012.

Port city writ fixed for support

The Court of Appeal today fixed for support a writ application filed against the Chinese funded Colombo Port City Project.

Video: UNP to write to President

The United National Party (UNP) would make a written request to President Maithripala Sirisena to dissolve Parliament, a Deputy Minister said today.

Student’s body found with stab injuries

The body of a 17-year-old student with stab injuries was found in a teak forest behind a school at Miriswelpotha in Uda Walawa this morning, police said.

Basil granted bail

Former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and three others were granted Rs. 100,000 cash bail each with a surety of Rs. 1 million each by the Colombo High Court today in the case where the four were charged of misusing Divineguma Public Fund.

D.V. Upul released on bail

Southern Provincial Council Minister D.V. Upul was released on a cash bail of Rs. 25,000 and two sureties of Rs. 1 million each by Colombo Fort Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya today.

Gagan Bulathsinghala new SLAF Commander

Air Vice Marshal Gagan Pulasthi Bulathsinghala was appointed as the Commander of the Air Force by President Maithripala Sirisena today, President’s Media Division said.

Video: Heroin worth Rs.30 mn seized

A man was arrested with 3 kgs of heroin worth Rs. 30 million from Wattala last night by the Police Narcotics Bureau.