Arrest us if we are guilty: BBS

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera today said the police could arrest him and other BBS members if they were the cause for Aluthgama riots and if the consequences of the riots could be mitigated by arresting them.

SL to launch observation satellite

Sri Lanka was in the process of designing, developing and launching of its own small earth observation satellite and the project would commence once the funds were allocated, Science and Technology Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

Heavy falls expected

The Meteorology Department today predicted an increase in rain in the South-western parts of the country with heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm at some places.

Night mails cancelled today

Trains leaving for Palai, Batticaloa and Trincomalee Stations from Colombo Fort and back will not operate today because a mail train had derailed on the Northern Railway line between Polgahawela and Pothuhera

Google shutting down Orkut

The departure of Google's senior VP of social, Vic Gundotra, earlier this year led to reports that Google intends to scale back its social network, Google+

Video: New Navy chief pledges to upgrade the Navy

Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera assumed duties yesterday as the 19th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy and pledged to continue upgrading the 58,000 strong Naval force to face future maritime threats and protect the seas under Sri Lanka’s authority

Politics moving down the generations: SB’s son

There is a new trend in the field of politics where the sons of the politician fathers are given opportunities to enter politics. By proving this trend, Tharu Dissanayake, the son of Minister S. B. Dissanayake is getting ready to enter politics in the near future

I will change my old records: Malaka

Minister Mervyn Silva’s son Malaka Silva who is from Kelaniya had gone to Matara and organised a Dansala there. It aroused the curiosity of almost everybody. A journalist has asked him the reason for this sudden change

Probe will continue sans SL support-Panelist

One of the three international experts appointed to investigate into alleged human rights abuses in Sri Lanka, Asma Jahangir, expressed confidence in the inquiry's ability to deliver answers despite the Sri Lankan government's persistent refusal to cooperate

Security tightened in Kalmunai

Security has been tightened in the Kalmunai area following a clash between two factions in Sainthamaruthu, in Kalmunai last night after members of the Sri Lanka Thawheed Jamaath (SLTJ) reportedly opened a new Prayer centre in the area

Cop shoots himself

A police sergeant attached to the Kurunegala police station was reported to have shot himself this morning inside the police lavatory.

Pope to visit the North

Pope Francis will visit the North during his visit to Sri Lanka next year, a spokesman from the Bishop’s House in Mannar said yesterday.

If proven I will resign: Gota

Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday denied any involvement with the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS),

Principal arrested over student’s death in freak accident

The Principal of Raththota Dikkumbura Vidyalaya was arrested by the Raththota police after a student died following a fall from a Mango tree in the school premises.

Traffic SI remanded for stealing barricades

A sub inspector attached to the Colombo City Traffic Police Division was today ordered to be remanded till July 14 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate for allegedly stealing and selling iron barricades worth Rs.97,440 to a scrap iron dealer.

BBS concerned over US visa cancellation

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) today said it would express its concern to the State Department through the US Embassy in Sri Lanka over the visa cancellation of the organization’s General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera.

Prisoner escapes

A prisoner receiving treatment in the Colombo North Teaching Hospital has escaped this morning from the prison custody, police said

Jaya seeks diplomatic action for release of fishermen

Seeking strong diplomatic action from the Centre for release of 28 Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today said the Centre should "not" treat the IMBL with the island nation as a settled question, as it is a subject matter of litigation in the Supreme Court

Tense situ at Ragama Hospital

Health official of the Colombo North (Ragama) Teaching Hospital has launched a strike over the issue of midwifery training to the nurses and alleged arbitrary actions of the midwife service in the Hospital

SL refugee’s death in hospital sparks protest

A Sri Lankan refugee, G. Chandrasekaran, 29, died at the Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences at Kalapet on Sunday, sparking a protest by family and friends who alleged medical negligence

Harin Fernando eyes Uva chief minister’s post

Badulla District UNP MP, Harin Fernando said at a meeting with the party activists yesterday that he would contest for the Uva Province Chief Minister’s post. He said it was 99% sure. The final decision would be taken at the meeting on June 30 with the party leaders, he said

Modi to meet TNA

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) would hold talks with newly elected Indian Prime Minister   Narendra Modi in New Delhi next month, party officials said yesterday

Video: Two shot dead in Grandpass

At least two individuals were shot dead and two others injured when an unidentified gunman opened fire at a group of people at Grandpass, Colombo, a short while ago, Police said.

Aluthgama, Beruwala incidents have tarnished country’s image - Ranil

The Aluthgama and Beruwala incidents had not affected the Muslims alone but the entire country as its image had been tarnished, said Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today.

SL offers ‘help’ with asylum-seekers

Sri Lanka stands ready to co-operate with Australia in what was shaping last night as the most public test of the Coalition’s tough asylum-seeker policy.

Lankan maid steal jewelry

A 25-year old Kuwaiti woman filed a complaint accusing her Sri Lankan maid of stealing jewelry worth KD 1400, reports Al-Rai daily.

Seychelles to open High Commission in SL

Seychelles has announced it plans to open a diplomatic mission in Sri Lanka later this year. This follows the visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who leaves Seychelles later today at the end of a three day official visit.

Rajarata lecturers to withdraw from duties

Lecturers of the Rajarata University have decided to withdraw from all educational and administrative activitises from tomorrow until their safety is ensured

Navy arrests Indian fishermen

Seventeen Indian fishermen found poaching in Sri Lankan waters had been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in the seas off Talaimannar last night, the Navy said

Panel to strengthen coastal security

The district administration and police in India have decided to constitute a standing committee to share intelligence, strengthen coastal security, prevent smuggling and human trafficking through sea route