Security beefed up at Mahabodhi temple

Police has beefed up security in and around the historic Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya city of Bihar following threats of a possible militant attack. Additional armed security teams were deployed at the temple entrance and were seen frisking devotees entering the temple premises.

Lanka records upsurge in illegal drug seizures

Law enforcement officials in Sri Lanka have documented an increase in illegal drug seizures since the end of a decades-long civil war in 2009, with activists pointing to lax law enforcement and political patronage as factors contributing to the apparently growing drugs trade.

SL to bring down artificial rains

The government is ready to seek Chinese assistance to generate artificial rains, Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said today.

Youth drowned after Korean Test

A 21 year-old youth from Katugastota who sat the Korean Language Test in Colombo yesterday died after drowning in the seas off Bambalapitiya, police said.

Two children drown

Two children aged six and nine were drowned while bathing in the Poruthota sea area in Negombo this morning, police said.

Alleged gay brothel raided in Nugegoda

Police raided an alleged gay brothel in the Nugegoda area said to be run by a prominent businessman and arrested three males last night.

Sanga backs Indian Cricket board

ICC cricketer of the year Kumar Sangakkara has backed the Indian cricket board to resolve the crisis surrounding the Deccan Chargers after the terminated Twenty20 franchise found new owners on Friday.

GL in Kuwait

Sri Lankan foreign minister Gamini Lakshman Peiris arrived Kuwait Saturday to participate in the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) foreign ministerial meeting, due tomorrow.

Ban spot-fixers for life, says Muralitharan

Anyone involved in spot-fixing should be banned for life, former Sri Lankan spinner Muttiah Muralitharan told Reuters on Saturday, days after six umpires were provisionally suspended for allegedly agreeing to fix matches.

Antibiotics temporarily withheld

Antibiotic injections that caused a fatal allergic on a 9 year-old girl has been temporarily withheld from use in all hospitals, Health Ministry said

Cement and chicken prices go up

Price of a 50 kg cement packet will be increased between Rs. 68 -85 with effect from midnight today.

UNICEF commends Sri Lanka

UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, Ms. Karin Hulshof commended Sri Lankan government’s programs and efforts to uplift the welfare of rural communities, during her meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.

Wimal’s crazy idea: Dayasiri

Suggesting that Judicial Service Commission (JSC) Secretary Manjula Tillekaratne had assaulted himself is a big joke which makes no sense at all, UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera said.

14 hospitalized due to accident

A van carrying a group of garment factory workers met with an accident this morning in the Mahawa, Talagalle area and 14 passengers have been injured.

12-hour water cut in Colombo

A 12-hour water cut will be imposed with effect from 8 pm today till 8 am tomorrow, in several areas in Colombo including Maligawatta, Armour Street, Dam Street, Saint Sebastian Hill and other connected areas due to the laying of a new pipe line, Government information Department said.

Schools closed for A/L paper marking

Thirteen schools including Sirimavo Balika Vidyalaya, Royal, Ananda, Nalanda and Visakha Colleges will be closed for Advanced Level paper evaluations from October 24 to November 6, while a few classes in 17 other schools will also be closed during the same period, the Examinations Department said.

Indo-SL hold talks on nuke cooperation

India and Sri Lanka on friday held the first round of talks on comprehensive civil nuclear cooperation New Delhi even as New Delhi tried to address Colombo's concerns on the safety measures instituted at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu.

Major Pradeep transferred

Army Intelligence officer, Major Chandana Pradeep, who was found guilty by the Army’s Court of Inquiry, was transferred from the Military Intelligence Corps yesterday, informed sources said.

Meters compulsory for trishaws

The Department of Motor Traffic has decided to make it mandatory for all hiring trishaws to attach hiring mileage meters.

Audio: UNP bans MPs from attending SF’s rally

The United National Party (UNP) Working Committee said today it would take disciplinary action against party members if they participate in the United National Bikkhu Front organised mass rally which is also to be attended by former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka on October 18.

Audio: Our demands were not met- FUTA

Despite a decision to call off the countrywide university strike today, the Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA) said that a proposal put forward by the government based on the unions’ demands was not sufficient and that FUTA would continue its struggle until the government addressed its concerns ???

European Union wins Nobel Peace Prize

The European Union won the Nobel Peace Prize for its long-term role in uniting the continent, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said on Friday, an award seen as morale boost for the bloc as it struggles to resolve its debt crisis.

Video: Govt. violating financial norms: Harsha

UNP parliamentarian and economist Harsha De Silva said Violating all financial regulations and laws of this country, the Government is spending public funds as if it belongs to them

Wreckage of missing ‘Lion Air’ plane found

Sri Lanka Navy said that it has located the wreckage of the ‘Lion Air’ domestic passenger plane, that was shot down by the LTTE some fourteen years ago.

India to drop 'His Excellency'

Colonial era words like 'His Excellency' used for addressing state dignitaries in India will soon be passe. Indian President Pranab Mukherjee has approved a new set of protocol to be used in greetings and meetings dignitaries inside and outside the country.

Circulars withdrawn

All circulars that impede the progressive work of university lecturers will be withdrawn according to a joint statement by FUTA and government, the Government Information Department said

CBK hits out at abuse of power

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge said on Thursday that we live in a country where the naked demonstration of the abuse of power, the shameless indulgence in corruption and nepotism, the violation of human rights and the rule of law had become the order of the day.

Researchers discover diamond planet

Researchers have discovered a planet twice the size of earth made up partly of diamond. The planet, named ‘55 Canceri e,’ orbits a star in the constellation of Cancer and was found by a French-American research team, Reuters reports

Jaffna Army Brigade to relocate

The military yesterday said the 512 Brigade - the main unit of the Sri Lanka Army stationed in Jaffna - would be relocated in the peninsula handing over the houses it occupied back to the civilians

SL keen to invest in Indian port projects

Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), controlled by the Sri Lankan government, is in talks with Indian port companies to form consortiums to invest in Indian port projects, said people familiar with the development