Acid attack on NCP ayurvedic commissioner

Ayurvedic Commissioner of North Central Province Dr. Kumara Alwis was hospitalised following an acid attack in Anuradhapura, in the early hours today, police sources said

Sex assault on campus: suspected SL asylum seekers detained

Police will question a group of up to 80 asylum seekers believed to be from Sri Lanka being temporarily housed at Macquarie University following the alleged indecent assault of a young student as she slept in her student accommodation in Sydney's north

Gota rubbishes Channel 4 photos

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday rejecting the photographs displayed by Channel 4 television station of UK which is alleged to be of Prabhakaran’s youngest son Balachandran,

Pork to be on menu of Parliament canteen in future

Despite objections from Muslim MPs, the Speaker decided yesterday that pork may be offered, to MPs, in the Parliament canteen, revoking a previous ban on it, informed sources said

US is bullying SL: US congressman

The United States should not bully a small country like Sri Lanka, considering the difficulties it has had to face during a 30 year conflict, a member of the US House of Representatives who is visiting Sri Lanka, said yesterday

Karu says protest not against him

UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya’s media secretary Prabath Weeraratne said that the protest was not against Mr. Jayasuriya’s visit but was carried out after protestors received information that a Sri Lankan government ‘minister’ was visiting the state

Video: India bomb blasts 12 dead, 52 hurt

At least 12 people were killed and 52 injured when three bombs shook the southern Indian city of Hyderabad late on Thursday, police said ???

Peaceful coexistence more important than Halal-ACJU

The All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulama (ACJU) told the media today that peaceful co-existence in the country was more important than the ‘Halal’ certificate, and it would agree to recommendations made by the parliament subcommittee appointed to look into the issue.

Video: Establishing of Police Commission would be referred to a PSC: Govt.

The Government responding to the controversy surrounding the transfer of DIG M.R. Latheef said today the establishment of an Independent Police Commission as recommended by the LLRC would be referred to a Parliament Select Committee.

Karu Jayasuriya on pilgrimage returns after protests in TN

UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya on a pilgrimage to the temple town of Thirukkadaiyur in  Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu had to return today after activists of various political parties, including pro-Eelam outfits, staged a demonstration in that town.

No outright sale of land to foreigners

Cabinet has decided to prohibit the outright transfer of property to foreigners, taking into consideration the increasing demand for foreign investment with the expansion of developmental activities by the Government.

Nine hour water cut in Colombo

A 9-hour water cut would be imposed in several areas in Colombo from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. tomorrow due to an interruption in the supply of electricity to the Kotte Pump House, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board said

Lankan Tamils must get equality: Pranab Mukherjee

Sri Lanka must make efforts to provide its Tamil minority "a life of peace, dignity and equality", President Pranab Mukherjee said Thursday.

CB expects IMF to raise economy growth forecast

The Sri Lankan central bank expects the International Monetary Fund to raise its growth projection for the island nation, a top official said on Thursday.

No Lankan players in Tamil Nadu: Jaya

Amid protests over the alleged brutal killing of slain LTTE chief V. Prabhakaran’s son, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Thursday called off the 20th Asian Athletics Championships scheduled to be held Chennai  in July, saying Sri Lankan players have no place in the State.

28 asylum seekers arrested

Twenty eight Sri Lankans from North and East and three helpers from the South had been taken to the custody today at the Mirissa harbour when attempting to sail to Australia on a multiday fishing trawler

Video:UN reiterates importance of addressing accountability in SL

The United Nations yesterday reiterated the ‘importance of addressing accountability in Sri Lanka through a genuine and comprehensive national process and achieving national reconciliation.’ ???

Woman molested by Lankan in Dubai

A 30-year-old Sri Lankan male worker, allegedly molested a woman when he went to repair the wardrobe of her roommate, the Dubai Criminal Court heard.

Netherland national found dead in Dehiwela

A 76-year-old Netherland national was found dead in a house he was staying on rent in Dehiwela yesterday, police said. The victim was identified as Eilheam Rowehost who arrived in Sri Lanka on February 13 as a tourist.

Indian company mulls exit from SL venture

NTPC Ltd has informed the government that it cannot accept the fresh terms set by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) for its proposed 500-MW project in Sri Lanka

No-confidence motion against Dilan

The main Opposition United National Party (UNP) yesterday handed over a no-confidence motion against Foreign Employment Promotion Minister Dilan Perera for what the party called ‘his failure to secure clemency for Sri Lankan housemaid Rizana Nafeek who was beheaded in Saudi Arabia recently

Valentine lovers part in hate

A Sri Lankan man who accompanied his Filipina girlfriend to Sri Lanka to celebrate Valentine’s Day was arrested for making a false complaint alleging she had stolen cash and his belongings, to prevent her from leaving the country

New BASL President vows 'to stand by his mandate’

Attorney-at- law Upul Jayasuriya was elected as the President of the Bar Association defeating Tirantha Walaliyadda by a thumping majority at the BASL elections held today, despite a low voter turnout.

Novice monk killed by deer

A 17-year-old Buddhist novice monk was killed in Lunigamwehera, when the deer that was reared in the temple knocked with its horns the monk today, police said

India says 'cannot vouch for authencity of pictures'

Union External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said he had seen the pictures and the report on the alleged coldblooded killing of LTTE chief V. Prabakaran’s minor son by the Sri Lankan Army but could not vouch for their authenticity.

Video: US confirms resolution on Lanka

The State Department said today the US was 'deeply concerned about allegations of violations with regard to humanitarian law and human rights' and reiterated it would introduce a resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva ???

Geneva preparations not shared with the UNP: Govt

The government in response to assertions made by the UNP to the effect that the country is not prepared to face the upcoming UNHRC sessions said “The government is fully prepared both internally and externally for the UNHRC sessions”

Vaas to take over as fast bowling coach

Former Sri Lankan fast bowling legend Chaminda Vaas would be appointed as the national fast bowling coach Sri Lanka Cricket sources said today

Govt. has brought disrepute to the country: UNP

United National Party (UNP) today charged that the government had already given up its efforts to defeat the resolution that is being brought by the UNHRC against Sri Lanka.

Video: Envoy claims photos “morphed”, while Jayalalitha cries “war crimes”

Sri Lankan High Commissioner Prasad Kariyawasam on Wednesday rejected claims made by a documentary that showed LTTE's chief Prabhakaran's son dead with five bullet wounds and said the photos in the documentary are "morphed".