Militants from SL posing as asylum seekers-report

Militants from Sri Lanka's civil war are posing as asylum seekers on boats headed for Australia - and could be financed by former Tamil Tiger combatants already in Australia, The Australian reported today.

Tsunami warning lifted in Hawai

The tsunami warning for Hawaii was canceled, and a tsunami advisory was put in its place. An advisory indicates that strong currents or waves that are dangerous to those in or very near the water are expected, but significant inundation is not.

NY police arrest Lankans over phony ATM cards

Two Sri Lankans were under arrest in New York for allegedly carrying hundreds of fraudulent ATM cards and $55,000 in cash, New York police said on Saturday.

Explosion injures two in Kantale

At least two persons were injured following an explosion in Kantale a short while ago, the police said.

Manmohan expands cabinet with new faces

Seven Cabinet ministers, including new faces such as K. Rehman Khan and Chandresh Kumari, and 15 Ministers of State were sworn-in on Sunday as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expanded his Council of Ministers.

LTTE coordinator seeks lifting of ban on outfit

An affidavit by a Switzerland-based coordinator on behalf the outlawed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) before a tribunal sought the lifting of the ban on the outfit.

Tsunami warning for Hawaii after Canadian earthquake

An earthquake off the west coast of Canada has triggered a tsunami that is headed toward the US state of Hawaii, The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center announced early Sunday.

Low pressure condition intensifies –Met Dept

The Met Department today said that the low pressure area in the Central Bay of Bengal has intensified in to a depression and located about 600km to the East of Jaffna today.

SL engaged in legal means to stop overseas LTTE ops-Gota

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that the Sri Lankan government is looking at seeking legal mean of stopping existing illegal operation of the LTTE rump, operating from the overseas.

Museum robbery main suspect arrested

The main suspect in the theft of artefacts from National Museum in Colombo was arrested by a special CID team on Saturday, police said.

Fourteen Lankans return

Fourteen Sri Lankan asylum seekers who allegedly sailed to Australia in a hijacked boat from Kudawella returned this morning in a special flight.

Asylum boat 'hijackers' sent back

Fourteen asylum seekers who allegedly hijacked a ship off the Sri Lankan coast in a bid to reach Australia have been found and sent home, the Department of Immigration Australia says.

Ranatunga’s role, a conflict of interest: COPE

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Chairman Upali Dharmadasa said yesterday he would obtain legal advice on Nishantha Ranatunga’s dual role as SLC Secretary and CEO of Carlton Sports Network (CSN) when the parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) directs him to do so in writing.

Dispute won’t affect our political aspirations: TNA

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan said the ongoing discussion on the internal rift that had arisen in the party would not impede the headway being made in achieving the objectives of Sri Lanka’s Tamil speaking people.

Principals want parents to look after their children

Royal College and Thurstan College Principals yesterday warned parents that the schools would not take responsibility for any conflict between student groups outside the school premises in future and requested them to take full responsibility for their children’s protection.

Video: I have confidence in my team-Angelo

Sri Lanka’s new T-20 captain Angelo Mathews today said he was satisfied and had confidence in his team scheduled to face the upcoming T-20 tournament against New Zealand. ???

Flour prices up

The price of one kilogram of Prima flour will be increased by Rs. 6 and Serendib flour by Rs. 4 with effect from midnight today, official sources said.

Norway temporally suspends work permits to SL

While advising against private agents charging fees for assistance with visa applications to Norway, the Norwegian Embassy in Colombo said that it had decided that no more work permits would be granted for the time beingfrom certain countries including Sri Lanka.

Indian Foreign Minister 'quits'

Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna has resigned ahead of the Union cabinet reshuffle Indian TV news channels report. Krishna, a veteran Congress politician from Karnataka, was likely to be dropped or moved to another ministry during the reshuffle

Heads fixed to nude bodies for revenge

A photographer who is alleged to have merged the photos of the heads of a principal, two male teachers and two lady teachers with nude bodies was arrested by the Kahathuduwa police and handed over to the CID.

Harassment of Sex workers will be probed:SL

With reference to the United Nations report that sex workers in Sri Lanka were often the target of police or military harassment,the Government said today said the allegations would be looked into and necessary action taken

Audio: Probe EPF fraud as well - UNP

The main opposition United National Party (UNP) today commended the Bribery Commission for its courage in initiating action against former National Savings Bank Chairman Pradeep Kariyawasam over the NSB-The Finance Company deal.

Gota meets Indian Def. Minister

Against the backdrop of protests in Tamil Nadu against training to Lankan defence personnel, India and Sri Lanka  held discussions yesterday on furthering their defence cooperation.

Lankan with Indian passport nabbed

A Sri Lankan national, who had secured an Indian passport fraudulently after marrying a Bidar native, was arrested by the immigration authorities when she landed at the Bengaluru International Airport, India on Tuesday

Compensate us-Keheliya to US

Government Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said yesterday that the US must come up with a scheme to avoid harming friendly countries by its embargo on Iran -- or compensate them

Children used as pawns in porn websites

The special police unit of the National Child Protection Authority has uncovered details of 50 locally designed porn websites some of which portraying under-aged girls in school uniforms

COPE spotlights six bad transactions

The investment of Rs.1,137 million by the People’s Bank in the purchase of shares of Sri Lankan Airlines had impaired by Rs. 848.8 million in 2010, according to the interim report of the parliamentary Committee on Public  Enterprises (COPE) presented in the House today

Judgment in cobra case fixed for Nov. 15

The Colombo Fort Magistrate today reserved the judgment over a request made for the release of a cobra to the woman who had allegedly kept it in a room at a night club in Kollupitiya, for November 15

Road block near Colombo Uni

Motorist proceeding along Reid Avenue Colombo 7 have been advised to use alternate routes as lanes in the road have been closed after a tree had fallen near the Colombo University

Businessman hacked to death

A leading businessman in Galle was hacked to death in Galle town this morning. The victim (48) was a resident of Pitadeniya in Galle. He was waylaid and hacked to death by a gang of four-armed men with swords, when he was riding on motorcycle