Tennis ball containing heroin thrown into prison grounds

A tennis ball that had suddenly fallen into the Bogambara Prison grounds was found, on close examination, to contain 196 packets of heroin. Prisons officials said that the ball had been thrown from a nearby sports ground over the high wall surrounding the prison.

India to vote against Sri Lanka in UNHRC

India will vote in support of a US-backed resolution against Sri Lanka proposed to be moved before the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva next month, Union minister in the Prime Minister's Office ( PMO) V Narayansamy said on Sunday.

Illegal hiring of SL maids continues

Brokers and labor offices in Saudi Arabia are continuing to promote recruitment services of housekeepers from Indonesia and Sri Lanka despite an announcement by the Ministry of Labor that negotiations for recruitment are still ongoing.

Chinese nabbed for transporting tortoises

The police arrested a Chinese national and his driver allegedly transporting six tortoises from Hambantota to Colombo. The suspects were arrested at Weligama. Police said the Chinese was a Shipping Manager attached to Colombo Port.

Constitutionally incorrect to hang Rajiv killers now, says Judge

It would be 'constitutionally incorrect' now to hang the three people sentenced to death in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, said Justice K T Thomas, who headed the Supreme Court bench that confirmed the death sentences. "It was my misfortune to have presided over that bench," he told TOI.

Lankan bizman's body exhumed in TN

The body of a 75-year-old Colombo-based businessman, who reportedly died of a heart attack in Thondi, Ramanathapuram district three days ago,  was exhumed on Saturday after his second wife alleged foul play in his death.

Accident kills three in Veyangoda

At least three youth were killed following an accident involving a car and a motorcycle in Veyangoda, last night, police said.

Iranian warships to dock in Sri Lanka

A fleet of Iranian warships is moving towards Southeast Asia and will likely dock in Sri Lanka, India or China, Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said.

Karunanidhi slams Pranab

DMK president M. Karunanidhi, an ally of the Congress-led UPA at the Centre, on Saturday criticised the reference made by the President in his address to Parliament on improving ties with Sri Lanka.

Attack on journalist: Police release sketches of suspects

Police headquarters on Saturday released to the media a sketched images of two suspects wanted in connection with the attack on the Sunday Leader journalist Faraz Shauketaly.

Syrups containing DXM temporarily banned

All cough syrups containing Dextromethorphan (DXM) have been temporarily banned from sale in Sri Lanka as a precautionary step following an alert by the WHO, the Cosmetics, Devices and Drugs Regulatory Authority (CDDRA) said.

Three-wheeler fares increase

The trishaw fares are due to be increased as a result of the fuel price revision, as one group of three wheel owners have decided to revise the rate per kilometer up to Rs. 40  with effect from Monday, while another group has decided to increase only the stipulated rate of Rs. 50 for the first kilometer without any changes to the rate per kilometer.

Bus fares will go up?

Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBO) said it was considering whether to increase the bus fares due to the increase of fuel prices since last night

LIOC follows CPC

Lanka IOC said it has also decided to increase the price of petrol by Rs.3 a litre from today to correspond with the CPC hike. But the Diesel prices will not be increased as CPC prices are now on par with that of LIOC

Heli pad proposal for midway in Sri Pada climb

A proposal had been made to construct a helicopter landing pad several kilometers below the Maha Maluwa of Sri Pada  (summit) to land helicopters of VIPs and to airlift visitors who fall sick while visiting Sri Pada.

Report on SL handed over to Ban

An observation project report on Sri Lanka was handed over to UN Chief Ban Ki-moon at the UN Headquarters, New York on Friday, the Inner City Press reported,

Quality certificate for non-alcoholic foods, beverages?

Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday said his ministry and the All Ceylon Buddhist Congress are on the process of introducing a new food quality certificate for non-alcoholic foods and beverages in Sri Lanka.

UNHCR commends SL Navy

While commending the Sri Lanka navy for its timely action to rescue a group of stranded Myanmar nationals recently from high seas, the UNHCR said that it is ready to support the Sri Lankan authorities in assisting any among them who are in need of international protection.

CPC increases fuel prices

The state-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has increased the price of a liter of Petrol (Octane 90 and 95) by Rs. 3, Auto Diesel by Rs. 6, Super Diesel by Rs. 3 and Kerosene (industrial) by Rs.4 effective from midnight yesterday (22).

Govt. politicians openly violating the law: UNP

United National Party (UNP) Vice President Lakshman Kiriella, who referred to the controversial transfer of Moneragala District DIG M.R. Latheef said yesterday government politicians were openly violating the law and pointed out that the repeal of the 17th Amendment had resulted in the police service losing its independence.

Lankans don't like juniors playing IPL: Jayasuriya

Former Sri Lanka captain and present chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya feels that it will be better if junior Sri Lankan players are kept away from IPL although it remains an "individual decision".

Halal separation not practical: JHU

While commending the statement made by the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) to separate Halal and non Halal certificated goods, the Jathika Hela Urumaya today said such a separation would not work in practice.

Five drowned in Mahaweli river

Five youths between the ages of 25 and 30 are reported to have drowned in the Mahaweli River, at Nawalapitiya a short while ago, police said.

No compromise on more powers for SL Tamils-Singh

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday reportedly stressed that there would be no compromise on Colombo’s promise to implement the 13th Amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution which provides more powers to Tamil areas in Sri Lanka’s Northern and Eastern provinces.

Murali, Lasith campaign against boat journey

The Australian Government has turned to a pair of Sri Lankan cricket stars in attempt to stop the flow of asylum seeker boats from the country.

MR writes to the Pope

Recalling the encouraging words of guidance and counsel given to him, President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a letter to Pope Benedict XVI said he was ‘surprised and saddened’ to learn of the resignation.

Samarasinghe to lead delegation

Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe will lead the Sri Lankan delegation to Geneva, the government said

Arjuna says ICC ‘toothless’

World Cup-winning former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga came down heavily on the International Cricket Council (ICC), calling the sport's world governing body ‘toothless’

Stay Order refused on new tobacco packaging law

The Appeal Court today refused to issue a stay order sought by the Ceylon Tobacco Company to quash the Gazette notification for pictorial warnings on cigarette packets.

EPC member injured after alleged attack by politico's son

UPFA member of Eastern Provincial Council Priyantha Pathirana was hospitalized last night due to an alleged assault by Susantha Galappaththi - son of Chairman of EPC Ariyawathi Galappaththi, police said