NICs to be renewed every 10 years

The Department of Registration of Persons will make it compulsory for every adult to renew his or her national identity card every ten years to prevent misuse and facilitate easier identification, a senior official said

Nine-judge bench to hear impeachment petitions

A nine-judge Supreme Court Bench has been nominated to hear five fundamental rights applications and special leave to appeal on the Court of Appeal judgment regarding the impeachment of former Chief Justice Dr. Shirani A. Bandaranayake and the appointment of Mohan Peiris as Chief Justice

Don’t fall prey to bogus ads: Police

Police yesterday warned the public not to fall prey to bogus advertisements published in newspapers by unscrupulous groups who especially dupe women and teenage girls offering them chances to act in films and tele-dramas, opportunities to join dancing troupes and promising employment avenues in several institutions and ultimately using them for immoral activities

TN MPs meet Rahul on Lanka issue

Congress MPs from Tamil Nadu today told Rahul Gandhi that India should take a tough stand against Sri Lanka at the upcoming UN meet on Tamils issue as it was crucial for the party's future in the state

SL name strong Test squad

Following the end of the impasse between Sri Lanka Cricket and the top players of the team, a 16-man squad was announced for the first Test against Bangladesh beginning in Galle this Friday

Indian fishermen remanded till March 18

The 16 fishermen who were arrested yesterday on the charges of poaching in the western waters were remanded till March 18 by Puttlam District Magistrate today

Indian man attempts self-immolation over SL

With heat on the Sri Lanka issue picking up, a 45-year-old man attempted self-immolation to press the Union government to vote against Sri Lanka United Nations Human RightsCouncil (UNHRC) for war crimes.

Vaiko arrested

MDMK Chief Vaiko has been arrested by Chennai Police after he attempted to lay siege on the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission today.  Mr Vaiko, who led several pro-Tamil groups

Minister’s son assault case put off

The magisterial inquiry into the alleged assault on DIG Ravi Waidyalankara’s son by Minister Maithripala Sirisena’s son and 13 of his friends was postponed to Friday by the Valachchenai Acting Magistrate Vinobha Indiran

Sri Lanka to sign MoU with Saudi Arabia

Foreign Employment and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera said the Sri Lankan Government is on the verge of signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Saudi Arabian government in connection with migrant Sri Lankan workers.

Work constructively with int’l community-UN Chief to SL

UN Chief Ban Ki-moon has highlighted the importance of Sri Lankan government to work constructively with the international community towards national reconciliation

Hackers prey on websites sans basic security

The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team | Coordination Centre (SLCERT|CC) said the non-implementation of the most basic cyber security measures was a major contributing factor behind the escalation in incidents of website hacking reported in the country

China refuses US$500Mn loan for SL

China has refused a loan of US$500 million sought by the Sri Lankan Government to buy petroleum products and stressed that China would only approve only project loans, informed sources said yesterday

Six netted while entering SL by sea

Six people including two Indians, three Sri Lankan women and a man who allegedly entered Sri Lankan maritime borders illegally were arrested by  Mannar Navy officials last evening

Ranil advocates sharia law within UNP

United National Party (UNP) and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday stressed the need for sharia law to instill discipline in the rank and file of the party

Watch out for thunder showers

Heavy thunder showers can be expected in some parts of the country during the next few days as a result of a depression in the Bay of Bengal, the Meteorology Department warned yesterday

Don’t blame PB-Naveen

Claiming that it was not correct to level allegations against Treasury Secretary PB Jayasundera, Public Management and Reforms Minister Naveen Dissanayake said if he and Private Transport Minister CB Ratnayake were given important ministries they would show how to work for the people.

Cricket crisis ends

All national cricketers have agreed to sign the contract with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) after a lengthy meeting tonight at SLC headquarters, National Chief Selector Sanath Jayasuriya said.

Arjuna assures help in reviving cricket in Pakistan

Four years since the dreaded terrorist attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore, team's former captain Arjuna Ranatunga said that he is willing to help Pakistan in reviving international cricket.

Tense situ at Ananda-Nalanda big match

Police used tear gas to control a clash between two groups of the Ananda and Nalanda Colleges in Colombo during their big match at the SSC ground, a short while ago, police said. Pictures

Six sailors injured in Kayts

At least six sailors sustained minor injuries following a backfire of an Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) during a training session in the Kayts Island, Jaffna, this morning, the Navy said.

Sanath to meet cricketers

Chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya is to meet national cricketers at 6.30 pm today in a last minute attempt to resolve contract issues before selecting final Test squad, informed sources said.

16 Indian fishermen arrested

The Navy has taken into custody at least 16 Indian fishermen with three trawlers off Kalpitiya this morning while they were fishing in the Western waters of Sri Lanka, Navy Spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said.

Sangakkara dropped

Star Cricketer Kumar Sangakkara has not been allowed to play three-day warm up game against the visiting Bangladesh cricket team starting in Matara today as he has not signed the contract with the Sri Lanka Cricket, SLC sources said a short while ago.

Air Arabia flies to Mattala

Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, has announced that it has added its second destination in Sri Lanka with the launch of non-stop flights to Mattala.

Cricket crisis deepens

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) issued an ultimatum to all national cricketers to sign their annual contracts by tomorrow (Sunday) morning and have warned them that unless they sign the contracts for the next year before the deadline, a totally new team made up of fresh faces who will sign contracts will be picked to face Bangladesh in the home Test series starting on Friday in Galle.

Activists of pro Lankan Tamil outfit arrested

About 350 activists of a pro Sri Lankan Tamil outfit were arrested when they were on their way to Katchatheevu this morning to hoist the tricolour at the islet, police said.

India'closely monitoring' situation in SL

The Indian government was "closely monitoring" the situation in Sri Lanka and was taking all steps for the safety of Tamils living there, Indian Union minister V Narayanasamy said on Saturday.

Police to act strictly on unruly big match supporters

Legal action will be taken against students and other groups who behave indecently during the ongoing big match season, Police said

MR denies Army killed Balachandran

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has denied that the Army killed LTTE chief Prabakaran’s 12-year-old son Balachandran.