Schools in S'gamuwa, NCP and East closed tomorrow

All schools in Sabaragamuwa, North Central and Eastern Provinces where PC elections are to be held on Saturday, will be closed tomorrow (07), Elections department said.

Rajapakse can visit-Karunanidhi

DMK president M Karunanidhi on Wednesday virtually withdrew his party’s opposition to Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse’s visit to Madhya Pradesh on September 21 to lay the foundation for a Centre For Buddhist Studies in Sanchi.

Sangakkara bags 3 awards at CEAT

Kumar Sangakkara reiterated his status as a cricketing colossus winning three top awards — the CEAT Cricketer of the Year, CEAT Peoples Player of the Year and Best Test Batsman, at the 2012 CEAT Sri Lanka Cricket Awards.

“Wele Suda’s” Rs.185 million assets frozen

Colombo High Court freezed assets valued at Rs.185 mil. belonging to alleged drug kingpin Samantha Kumara alias “Wele Suda” and his family.

Universities reopening tomorrow

All universities that were closed on August 21 will be reopened tomorrow, Higher Education Ministry Secretary Sunil Jayantha Navaratne said today.

Video: US envoy to promote SL-US trade

The incoming US ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives Michele Sison in an introductory video prior to assuming duties said she would look forward to identifying new opportunities in many areas between Sri Lanka and the United States

Explosion kills 1, injures 4

A 17-year-old youth was killed on the spot and four children were injured this evening in an explosion at the Kandakuli Beach in Kalpitiya in an area which is close to the Civil Defence Force (CDF) training camp. UPDATE

Rajapaksa invited by Manmohan not me: Swaraj

Indian Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Sushma Swaraj has said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Indian External Affairs Ministry have invited President Mahinda Rajapaksa to visit India to attend a Buddhist cultural event in Madhya Pradesh later this month, India Today reported.

SL personnel being trained in different States: India

India is training armed forces personnel from Sri Lanka in different states of the country including Tamil Nadu as part of exchange programmes with neighbouring countries, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Video: Karuna blames Jaya for attacks on pilgrims

Toeing the Centre's line for cordial ties with Sri Lanka, key UPA ally DMK chief M Karunanidhi on Wednesday virtually blamed chief minister Jayalalithaa for attacks on Lankan pilgrims, saying her action in sending back a football team from that country had led to the incidents.

Court rejects minister’s objections

The Appeal Court today rejected the objections raised by Minister Rishad Bathiudeen in the contempt of court case, which was postponed to February 13, 2013.

Drop in Lankans visiting TN

The Indian media today reported that the number of Sri Lankan visitors to many parts of the Tamil Nadu, mainly in Chennai have considerably reduced following a Sri Lankan Government travel advisory against visiting Tamil Nadu.

Foreigner nabbed for theft at BMICH

A foreigner was arrested a short while ago for allegedly swallowing a diamond worth more than one million rupees at the International Gem and Jewelry show which is being held at the BMICH in Colombo, reporter said. PHOTOS

Lankan born man breaks his own Guinness record

Sri Lankan born Mohanathas Sivanayagam, who is living in Canada, marked the long weekend by sticking 2,100 acupuncture needles into his head. He already holds the Guinness world record for “most needles inserted into the head.”

Lankan wins Para Olympic medal

Sri Lanka's Pradeep Sanjaya won the first ever medal for Sri Lanka at the Paralympics by winning the Bronze medal in the Men’s 400m T46 event at the London Paralympic 2012.

Two kids die in stabbing

Two children aged 12 years and 6 years have been allegedly killed in a stabbing incident at Kolongasyaya area in Ratnapura last night, police spokesman Ajith Roahana said.

Lankan pilgrims return safely

All 184 Sri Lankan pilgrims, who were harassed by mobs in Tamil Nadu safely arrived at the Bandaranaike International Air Port (BIA) Katunayake, last night in a Mihin Lanka flight, sources said.

Pilgrims:SL to take up with India

The government is expected to take up with the Indian government the issue of safety and security for Sri Lankans visiting Tamil Nadu, Deputy External Affairs Minister Neomal Perera told the Daily Mirror yesterday.

Attack on pilgrims most unfortunate: Congress

Congress on Tuesday described as "most unfortunate" the attack on Sri Lankan pilgrims in Tamil Nadu by activists of Tamil outfits and said the government is "very firm" that these kind of incidents do not recur.

Wimal angry over attacks against Lankans

Minister Wimal Weerawansa sounded an alarm over the anti Sri Lankan attitude by the Tamil Nadu government and asked what the consequences would if Sri Lankans chose to treat thousands of Tamil Nadu citizens who regularly visited Sri Lanka in a similar manner.

Pillay to visit SL on Sep 14

A team of technical experts from the United Nations led by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay is to arrive on September 14 to offer advice and technical assistance to the Sri Lankan government.

Video:India assures security of Lankan visitors

The Indian government today said that it has taken and will continue to take all measures to ensure the safety, security and well-being of Sri Lankan dignitaries and visitors to India, including to Tamil Nadu.

‘No arrest warrant on Duminda till police ask for it’

At the inquiry into the killing of former presidential advisor Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, Court observed that issuing an arrest warrant on parliamentarian Duminda Silva would be pointless unless the police asked for it, because it was they who had to convey it to the Interpol.

Video: SL pilgrims' buses attacked again in Tamil Nadu

Buses in Tamil Nadu were attacked this afternoon because they had on board pilgrims from Sri Lanka. The convoy of five buses was headed to the Trichy airport to board a special flight home.

Video: Govt. has contracted ‘Money Mania’ disease: UNP

The main opposition UNP today accused the government of contracting money mania by abusing the EPF and is now trying to exploit the Samurdhi funds meant for the poor people by way of the Divi Naguma Bill.

Shareholder nod for Shaw Wallace land sale

The Shareholders of Shaw Wallace PLC have given their consent for the sale of 'Colpetty Mills' extending 264.65 perches for Rs.1.85 billion in an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held on September 3, 2012.

Lankans accused of sex out of wedlock arrested in Dubai

A Sri Lankan mother who was arrested shortly after giving birth and charged with having sex outside of wedlock has been married to the baby's father for the past five years, the Misdemeanour Court in Dubai, heard.

Body washes ashore in Bamba

A body of 21 year-old male was washed ashore at the Bambalapitiya beach this morning, the Police said. According to the identity card, which was found in the victim’s pocket, he was a resident of Kandy.

President will go ahead

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will visit India this month as reported, to lay the foundation stone for a Buddhist Education Centre in Sanchi, Presidential Spokesman Bandula Jayasekara said responding to a query by the Daily Mirror.

Travel warning against Lankans visiting TN

The Sri Lankan government today issued a travel warning against those visiting Tamil Nadu in India, in the wake of recent events of intimidation towards Sri Lankan nationals visiting the Southern Indian state for religious and tourist purposes.