Navy rescues 28 stranded asylum seekers

A vessel carrying 28 Sri Lankan illegal asylum seekers was rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy, while it was drifting some 300 nautical miles off the Galle seas, the Navy said.

Misfire kills Police officer

A Police sub Inspector attached to the Neluwa Police Station was killed allegedly due to a misfire by another policeman’s firearm during a raid in the Lelwala area early today, Police said.

No military done so much for the people-Gota

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that no military in the world would ever do so much for the people in the aftermath of long-drawn war.

India beat Sri Lanka

India defeated Sri Lanka in the third cricket One-day international by five wickets to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series at R Premadasa stadium, in Colombo.

Sanga faces lengthy injury layoff

Kumar Sangakkara will be out of action for four to six weeks after fracturing a finger on his right hand on Saturday during his team’s first innings against India at the R Premadasa Stadium. He will play no further part in the ongoing ODI series and faces a race against time to prove himself fit for the ICC World Twenty in September.

Video: ‘Indian media bluffs’ – Ranawaka

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka today accused Indian media for publishing false reports claiming Sri Lanka was to get help from Pakistan in developing a nuclear power plant in Sampur, Trincomalee.

SL to bat first

Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardena has won the toss and elected to bat against India in the third cricket One-Day International in Colombo.

Pakistan FM visit postponed

The scheduled visit of Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar to Sri Lanka has been postponed indefinitely, the Sri Lanka Ministry of External Affairs said.

'Hiring ban' on nine firms by SL embassy

Sri Lankan embassy in Muscat has blacklisted nine companies and suspended operations with 14 companies in Oman for allegedly "cheating- its country's workers. Currently, there are about 25,000 Sri Lankan nationals in Oman.

Deputy PS Chairman arrested for alleged misbehaviour

The Balapitiya Pradeshiya Sabha Deputy Chairman and his brother-in-law were arrested in Kataragama last night for allegedly behaving in an indecent manner under the influence of liquor, police said.

51 illegal migrants caught in Negombo

At least 51 people were arrested in Negombo this morning for allegedly trying to illegally migrate to Australia, the Navy said. 31 of them travelling in a boat were arrested 10 nautical miles away from the shore while 20 were arrested while waiting on the shores for another boat to pick them up.

20 Tigers to be sued for war crimes

Some 20 hardcore LTTE cadres who are alleged to have committed war crimes will be prosecuted within the next six months under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and Emergency Regulations, thus bringing to a closure the uncertainty over the fate of the detainees.

One killed in accident on Southern Highway

One person died in an accident on the Southern Expressway when a pick up overturned at the Welipenna exit near the 53rd mile post, in the early hours today, Police said.

Rs.17.8 m fraud at Rotary Club

The CID is investigating an alleged fraud at Rotary Club of Rs.17.8 million received for Tsunami relief work, the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court was informed yesterday.

Hedging deal: CPC loses appeal

Sri Lanka's state-run oil company-Ceylon Petroleum Corp (Ceypetco)- lost an appeal against a London court ruling which ordered it to pay nearly $162 million plus interest for non-payment of dues to Standard Chartered Bank linked to hedging deals, government officials said on Friday.

Refinery closed for routine maintenance: Govt.

Responding to media allegations regarding the major shutdown of the oil refinery in Sapugaskanda, Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha today said the refinery was shut down because it was undergoing maintenance and modernization activities.

PS Chairman arrested

The Kalutara Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Lakshman Vidanapathirana  who had allegedly solicited a bribe of Rs. 3 million to resolve a land issue in Nagoda, Kalutara was arrested by Bribery Department sleuths this evening.

23 TN fishermen released - Krishna

Twenty-three Tamil Nadu fishermen, arrested by Sri Lankan Navy on July 22 when they were fishing near Katchatheevu in the Palk Straits, have been released, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said on Friday.

Only TNA posters taken into custody

Police spokesman Ajith Rohana today denied that former TNA parliamentarian M.K. Sivajalingam and seven others were arrested while transporting posters in Nelliyadi, Jaffna last night

Token strike by LIOC workers in Trinco

The distribution of fuel at the Lanka India Oil Company (LIOC) storage tanks in China Bay, Trincomale came to a standstill yesterday due to a token strike by the employees

Solheim reveals assassination attempt

Former Norwegian peace envoy Erik Solheim has revealed that there were specific plans to assassinate him when he visited Sri Lanka in 2000

Six netted with 500Kg of narcotics

Six people including two Indians and four Lankans were arrested by the Navy while transporting about 500Kg of narcotics, in an Indian boat, police said

US is the most insecure country in the world-Wimal

Minister Wimal Weerawansa yesterday said that United States was the most insecure nation in the world

Pakistan FM due here

The Foreign Minister of Pakistan Hina Rabbani Khar will visit Sri Lanka from 1st to 3 rd August, 2012 at the invitation of Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris, the High Commission of Pakistan said yesterday

Special unit to track fake VIP’s

Police today said a special unit had been established under the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) to nab people who swindled people and abusing property posing off as VIP’s in the government

Power cuts to end from tonight

Power cuts affecting several areas will be discontinued from tonight as the Lakwijaya power plant is slated to add 300MW to national grid, the Ceylon Electricity board said

60 year-old remanded for wooing 14 year-old

A 60 year-old man who had been on remand on the charge of wooing a 14 year-old schoolgirl was released on personal bail in Rs.25,000 by Kalutara Chief Magistrate Aruna Aluthge yesterday

Earthquake in Indian Ocean, no threat to SL

An Earthquake of 5.8 magnitude on the Richter scale has been reported off the Indian Ocean. The Tsunami Warning Centre says there is no threat to Sri Lanka

India Urges Lanka to Release TN Fishermen

India today urged Sri Lanka to immediately release on humanitarian grounds 23 Tamil Nadu fishermen, arrested on charges of entering the island nation's waters.

Court orders Rishad to show cause

Appeal Court today ordered Minister Rishad Bathiudeen to personally appear in courts on September  5 to show cause as to why he should not be punished for contempt for intimidating the Mannar Magistrate.