A Piliyandala plastic factory on fire

A fire  is reported to have broken out at a plastic-bottle manufacturing factory at Dolekanaththa in Piliyandala a short while ago. Pictures

Video: LPBOA wants 6-7% hike or compulsory prepaid cards

While claiming that it was ready to provide relief to commuters if the use of prepaid cards were made compulsory, the Lanka Private Bus Owners Association (LPBOA) said it was expecting a 6 to 7 per cent fare increase at present circumstances

Politics plays a large part in a lot of things: Sanga

Commenting on last year’s protest by British-based Tamil groups during Sri Lanka's Champions Trophy matches at Cardiff and the Oval, former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara said politics played a large part in a lot of things “on a tour, sometimes you can't escape from that. Nothing was aimed directly at the players. No individual player were targeted”

30 tourists fall prey to wasps at Sigiriya

About thirty tourists including foreigners had to be hospitalized after being attacked by wasps when visiting Sigiriya this morning, police said. Pictures

Ranil is back

Opposition and UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was in the US on a teaching assignment at Massachusetts Institute of Technology for more than a month returned to island early this morning.

Two injured in police firing

Two people were injured when Police opened fire on a three-wheeler which had sped away defying police orders in Wadduwa on the Galle Road last night, police said. Pictures

Two boys found dead in water pit

Two boys aged six and eight were killed yesterday after they fell into a 15-feet deep water-filled pit in the Morawaka area, police said.

India advises SL refugees not to commemorate Prabha

The Coastal Security Group (CSG) personnel conducted a programme on Wednesday in the Keezhputhupattu Sri Lankan Tamil refugee camp in Tamil Nadu to sensitise the residents to security perception.

Wish you a happy and peaceful Vesak: British PM

The British Prime Minister, David Cameron issuing a Vesak message sent his best wishes to Buddhists in Britain and around the world celebrating Vesak, the sacred festival commemorating the birth, enlightenment and the passing away (Parinirvana) of the Buddha.

Top Chinese military delegation in SL

General Xu Qiliang-the third most powerful military figure in China is currently on a three day visit to the island leading a 25 member military delegation from China.

67 unhygienic Dansals detected

The food served at 67 Dansals countrywide had to be thrown away after health inspectors found that it was unhygienic and not suitable for human consumption, Public Health Inspectors’ Association Secretary Senarath Bandara said.

50 hospitalised due to food poisoning

About 50 people were hospitalised for suspected food poisoning after having meals at alms giving at Sri Sambuddathwa Jayanthi Viharaya at Diyadawa in Deniyaya, hospital sources said

Iran to participate in Ozone Layer meeting in SL

Iran plans to take part in the South Asia Network of Ozone Officers meeting which is scheduled to be held from May 27-30 at the Grand Oriental Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Torture is a fact of life in Asian countries: AI

Torture is a fact of life in countries across Asia, including in Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and China, human rights body Amnesty International (AI) said adding action should be taken against the issue

Army begins recruiting youth from Mullaitivu

The Army has begun the process of recruiting youth from Mullaitivu at the Mullaitivu Maritime Divisional Secretariat, the Army said.

Indian stand on Katchatheevu clear: ICG

Director-General of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Vice-Admiral Anurag G. Thapliyal has refused to be drawn into the controversy over India’s stand on Katchatheevu and said India's stand on the issue is quite clear

SL ban splits overseas Tamil outfits-report

The ban on 16 Tamil Diaspora organisations and 425 individuals deemed to be pro-Tamil Tiger, which was imposed by the Sri Lankan government in March

‘Tortured and killed’ LTTEr surfaces in India

One of the former prominent LTTE cadres, said to have been tortured and killed by the Sri Lankan security forces in 2009 as claimed by many local and international NGOs, was among the arrested person by the Tamil Nadu police in Dhanushkodi in India

166 dead, many trapped in Turkish coal mine

A fire caused by a transformer explosion in a coal mine in western Turkey has left 166 people dead, Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said Wednesday

Khuram Sheik’s girlfriend had been raped -- doctor

The JMO of the Karapitiya Hospital, Dr L.H. Dhammi Gunasekera, giving evidence before the Colombo High Court in the Khuram Sheik’ murder trial on Monday, said that his examination of Victoria Alexandria

SL says 'Boko Haram' abductions show need to combat terrorism

While condeming the mass abduction of girls in Nigeria, Sri Lanka today said that the abduction demonstrated the urgent need for decisive and concerted efforts by the international community to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations

Man stuck between two walls

A man who was stuck between the walls of the Maradana Captain Gardens Pillaiyar Kovil and Totem Vidyalaya was rescued by the police today.

Video: Old medicines seized

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) seized a stock of medicine valued at Rs. 60 million past the day of expiry from a warehouse at Grandpass in Colombo yesterday, the Internal Trade Ministry said.

Duminda gets permission to go to Singapore

Parliamentarian Duminda Silva, who is to be indicted in the High Court in the Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra murder case, was allowed by the court to go to Singapore for six weeks, to obtain treatment for the injuries sustained during the shootout.

Crime in cemetery?

A body had been recovered burnt at the Meegahathenna Cemetery this morning, the Police said

Bathiudeen re-settling people in forest reserves: environmentalists

Four leading environmental associations today charged that Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen had illegally cleared 18,000 acres of forest land belonging to leading wildlife parks in three districts.Pictures

Two teachers arrested for giving student a hair cut

Two teachers attached to the Vavinna Kanishta Vidayalaya in Wattegama were yesterday arrested on charges of having forcibly cut the hair of a girl studying in Grade-6.

Pakistan war ship due here

Pakistan Naval Ships PNS SHAMSHEER will be arriving at Colombo Port for a 3-day visit from Tuesday.

Maj.Gen.Prasad new army Chief of Staff

Major General Prasad Samarasinghe has been appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army with effect from May 17

Police constable killed

A 50 year-old police constable was killed and his son was badly injured after an unidentified group attacked the father and son with sharp object while they were returning from a party held in Meegama, Welipenna last night, the Police said.