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.

Oppn 'hypocritical' on SL-Australia

Australian Defence Minister Stephen Smith has labelled the federal opposition's call to deport all Sri Lankan asylum seekers "extraordinary" and "hypocritical".

SC agrees to UGC proposal to increase intake

The Supreme Court today recommended the 3rd proposal out of 4 proposals submitted by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to facilitate the accommodation of an additional 4,928 students to State universities.

A 17- year old school girl stabbed

A 17- year old school girl was allegedly stabbed to death at Thibbutuwawa in Kekirawa area this morning, police said.

Van without number plate taken into custody

A van without a number plate was seized by Trincomalee Police last night when it was transporting election propaganda posters of a son of a prominent UPFA politician in the area contesting for the forthcoming Provincial Council election, police sources said.

Three rallies to be addressed by Dayasiri cancelled

Three United National Party (UNP) rallies which were to have been addressed by UNP parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekera were reportedly cancelled by the party leadership, informed sources said.

Ven. Napana Premasiri Thera acting Mahanayake of Ramanna Nikaya

The Karaka Sangha Sabha has on a unanimous decision appointed the Ven. Napana Pemasiri Thera as the acting Mahanayaka of the Ramanna Nikaya.

24-year old shot dead

A Twenty- four year old person was shot dead at Katuwila , Ahungalla this morning by an unidentified gunman who had arrived on a motorbike, Police Media Spokesperson SSP Ajith Rohana said.

Protest against MR's visit to India

The proposed visit by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa to India is creating ripples in Tamil Nadu, with Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), a constituent of United Progressive Alliance, registering its protest against the tour.

Aerial survey of mineral resources in SL

Sri Lanka will start an aerial survey of its mineral resources, said Geological Survey and Mines Bureau chairman Dr. M.J. Wijayananda. A South African company had been selected through a tender procedure to conduct the survey.

Exams Dept. tasks to be revamped

Amidst complaints about errors in question papers and irregularities in Z-scores, the Education Ministry has decided to ‘strengthen’ its supervisory role on the Department of Examination, and to overhaul its functions, officials said.

Crude oil pipeline breaks down

Unloading of crude oil has been delayed because of the sudden breakdown in the pipe line that leads to the Colombo Port, the Petroleum Ministry said today. UPDATE

Two drown following boat crash

Two persons were drowned this evening after the boat they were travelling in crashed into an old concrete pillar on the Dandugan Oya area in Ja-ela. Police Headquarters said that the boat had been racing against other boats and traveling at speed on the Dandugan Oya.

Woman dies in wasp attack

At least one woman died when a group of tea-pluckers were attacked by a swarm of wasps in an estate in the Dayagama area in Nuwara Eliya this afternoon. Dayagama hospital sources said six were admitted to hospital while the 58-year-old victim had died on admission.

JJ orders SL soccer teams to be sent back

After expressing her strong displeasure over Sri Lankan defence personnel undergoing training in her state, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has now ordered for sending back two Sri Lankan football teams which were undergoing training in Chennai.

Kuliyapitiya PS Chairman arrested

Chairman of the Kuliyapitiya Pradeshiya SabhaSampath Susantha (UPFA) was arrested by the Kuliyapitiya police today for allegedly damaging two houses in Wewagama in Kuliyapitiya on Friday night, police said.

SL ready to welcome Tamil refugees

The government said it will welcome more Tamil refugees who fled the country to India and want to return home after nearly three decades of war with the LTTE, a top minister has said.

Will evaluate before returning SL asylum seekers-Australia

Australian Immigration Minister Chris Bowen today said his government would not return Sri Lankan asylum seekers to their country of origin without fully assessing any claims for protection, the AAP reported.

NCP docs suspend planned strike

The strike that was to be launched tomorrow by the doctors in the North Central Province against the assault on a doctor in Anuradhapura last week has been temporarily suspended, the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) said.

Australia should return SL boat people- Opposition

The Australian federal government should arrange with Sri Lanka to transfer boat people from the island nation who are intercepted in Australian waters back to the southern Asian nation, the Australian coalition says.

MR to visit India

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa will visit India later in September, primarily to lay the foundation stone of a Centre for Buddhist Studies in Madhya Pradesh's Sanchi, home to some of the vital and finest Buddhist monuments, the PTI news agency reported.

Explosion in crematorium injures six

At least six people including the Wattegama UC Chairman were injured following an accidental explosion in a crematorium in Wattegama, Kandy, this evening.

Fmr Minister Wijepala Mendis passes away

Former Minister and UNP MP Wijepala Mendis passed away in a private hospital in Colombo this evening, family sources said.

Olympics: Minister gave approval for only 8 officials

Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage lashed out at the National Olympics Committee saying that he had not given permission for 23 officials to accompany the seven athletes for the Olympics

President returns

President Mahinda Rajapakse who was in Iran to attend the 16th heads of state conference of the Non Aligned Nations, has returned to the country in the early hours today, officials said.