Threats had led to House TV feed cut: Speaker

Live telecasts of Parliament proceedings have been suspended by PEO TV Chief Executive Officer following threats he had received from certain persons against whom some MPs had made allegations during debates, Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa informed the House yesterday

A woman gold smuggler arrested

A 46-year-old Sri Lankan woman was arrested at the Katunayake Airport last evening while attempting to smuggle two gold biscuits worth Rs.2,980,000, Customs spokesman Leslie Gamini said

MR determined to save millions from tobacco menace: Carlo

Not withstanding the legal wrangling and other obstacles involving the enactment of Prevention of Tobacco and Alcohol Act, President Mahinda Rajapaksa was firmly determined to introduce amendments to the Act to save millions of Sri Lankans from the menace of tobacco and smoking – the young generation in particular – Prof. Carlo Fonseka said yesterday

Gammanpila apologises to Polls Chief

Colombo district UPFA chief candidate for the election to the Western Provincial Council Udaya Gammanpila said today that he apologised to Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya for the participation of Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa in the function to mark the launch of his election campaign.

Kotalawala principal arrested by NCPA

The principal of Sir John Kotalawala College, Kurunegala was arrested this evening by the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) for allegedly scolding a girl over a facebook photo that led to her suicide, police said

Muzammil lashes out at Ravi

In an outburst following a challenge to an open debate on UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake, the Mayor of Colombo A.J.M Muzzamil today said that Mr. Karunanayake’s actions over the years had been detrimental to the party

Prisoner dies in Kalutara cell

A prisoner, convicted for two years imprisonment, had allegedly committed suicide in his cell at Kalutara prison early today, Police said

Video: Tense situ in Pettah

A tense situation is reported in Pettah outside the Fort Railway Station due to a protest staged by the Sinhala Ravaya organisation against cattle-slaughter blocking Olcott Mawatha???

Chinese woman arrested with Marijuana

A Chinese woman was arrested today when she was found in possession four marijuana cigarettes, the Kandy Police Crimes Unit said

Mahinda Samarasinghe in the Geneva delegation

Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe, who is the President’s Special Envoy on Human Rights, has been included in the delegation to the UNHRC sessions in Geneva. The delegation will be headed by External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris, the President’s Office said today.

MR congratulates new Nepali Premier

President Mahinda Rajapaksa had sent a message of congratulations to the newly elected Nepali Prime Minister Sushil Koirala, the Presidents Media Unit said

Negligence: Court wants JMO report

The Colombo Fort Magistrate today called for a report from the Judicial Medical Officer, following a death of a 73-year-old patient allegedly due to medical negligence at a leading hospital in Colombo

Oman deports Lankan family to UAE

A family of six, who fled the UAE and hid in Oman, after the family head committed a financial crime in Dubai, were later arrested by the Royal Oman Police (ROP) and then deported to Dubai in the first week of February, the Times of Oman reported

Trial-at-Bar to try Vaas Gunawardene, five others

Chief Justice Mohan Peiris will appoint a special Trial-at-Bar for the case in which former DIG Vaas Gunawardena and the five others including his son accused in the killing of Bambalapitiya businessman Mohammed Shyam

Indian SC commutes death sentence of Rajiv convicts

The Indian Supreme Court today  (Tuesday) commuted the death sentence of three assassins of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to life imprisonment citing the 11-year delay on the part of the Centre in deciding their mercy plea, reports said

Kachatheevu can’t be retrieved: India tells Supreme Court

In a decision which is likely to further strain the ties between the UPA and the DMK, the Centre has informed the Supreme Court that Kachatheevu could not be retrieved from Sri Lanka as demanded by the party president, M. Karunanidhi.

Feb 28. holiday for Hindu schools

Ministry of Education has marked the February 28 as a school holiday for Hindu schools in view of Maha Sivarathri observations, Ministry Secretary Anura Dissanayake said

Fisherman missing after falling overboard

A fisherman is reported to have gone missing after he fell overboard while out shipping in a multi-day fishing trawler, which left the Galle harbour last night, police said

Jilted maid jailed for knifing Lankan cleaner

A jilted maid implicated in knifing a female cleaner who had reportedly taken her boyfriend, was sentenced a 7-year-jail term plus deportation, on Monday.

Motorcycle headlights on or off?

Police Headquarters was still in the process of evaluating the use of headlights by motorcyclists during daytime to prevent accidents, but were yet to consider its legalisation under the Motor Traffic Act, sources said

13 year-old disappears while river bathing

A 13-year-old disappeared while bathing near the Kammaltota river mouth in Kochchikade last evening, Police said, and is believed to have drowned

Indian arrested for visa violation

A 30-year-old Indian national was arrested yesterday by the Muthur Police for overstaying his visa and violating immigration laws, Police said

SL-friendly proposal likely at UNHRC: Minister

Several member-countries supportive of Sri Lanka are hoping to submit a counter-proposal against the US-led resolution on Sri Lanka which is expected to be presented at next month’s UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in Geneva, the Daily Mirror learns

India allocates more funds for SL

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs  today allocated Rs 500 crore for 2014-15 for  Sri Lanka’s development, which is an increase compared to last year, PTI reported

High level public servants violating election law: UNP to EC

The United National Party (UNP) Leadership Council in a written complaint today urged Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya to stop high profile public servants from participating at political meetings

Duminda’s visit provoked Wanathamulla protesters: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today charged that there were moves to arrest those who reacted angrily to the presence of Defence Ministry Monitoring MP Duminda Silva at a protest by Wanathamulla residents

Railway drivers’ strike ends

The Railway Locomotive Engine Drivers’ Union this evening decided to suspend the railway drivers’ strike which continued for five days

Wijedasa in Leadership Council

UNP MP Wijedasa Rajapakse had been appointed today to the Leadership Council of the UNP, which was reserved for UNP MP Thalatha Athukorala, LC Spokesman Kabeer Hashim said

Video: Protest blocks Olcott Mawatha

Heavy traffic congestion was reported in Pettah opposite the Fort Railway Station, blocking Olcott Mawatha, due to a protest conducted by an organisation against cattle-slaughter

Woman found dead in Kahawatte

A 52-year-old woman, who was living alone,  was found dead in her house in Yayainna, Kahawaththa early this morning, Police said