CID records statement of Mannar Magistrate

A special team from the Criminal Investigation Department (which was investigating an incident in which Minister Rishard Bathiudeen had allegedly threatened the Mannar Magistrate over the phone) recorded a statement from the Mannar Magistrate, Police Spokesman SP Ajith Rohana said

SC gives green light for MTV/MBC to telecast Olympics

The Supreme Court today stayed an order issued by the Commercial High Court which prevented a private TV channel from telecasting the London Olympic Games 2012 and ruled out exclusive telecast rights for the state run television channel, Rupavahaini

600 fowls set on fire

A poultry farm in the Madurankuliya area was set on fire by an unidentified gang because of a personal dispute this morning, Mundalama police said. They said 600 fowls were burnt to death

Power cuts to be re-scheduled

The Ceylon Electricity Board said that certain areas in the country would experience power cuts lasting 2 hours and 15 minutes during the daytime, while 45 minute power cuts would be imposed during the night, in certain identified areas

No uninformed power cuts; CEB

The Ceylon Electricity Board said today that despite many areas experiencing uninformed power cuts today, there would be no uninformed power cuts in the future

Stats. show no increase in crime rate - Gota

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that there was no increase in the crime rate according to statistics

Pornographic material from SriLankamirror computers-CID

The CID today informed the Colombo Magistrate Court that they have found Pornographic material from at least three computers that were taken into police custody from the Sri Lankamirror office

Two bodies found in Katuwana

The bodies of a man and a woman found in Katuwana area in Hambantota this morning, police said. The woman (52) was found dead with cut injuries and her husband (60) was found hanging from a tree in front of the house

More Lankan officers arrived: Jaya

Despite Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa's strong objection to Sri Lankan  defence officers being trained anywhere in India, sources have told NDTV that four officers have landed in Chennai from Colombo and have left for Kolkata by a connecting flight to undergo an AN32 engine fitter course

Govt. trying to divide the Buddhist clergy: SF

This government is attempting to divide Buddhist monks through inducements in an attempt re-write history. These views were expressed by former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka at a meeting held at the Kandy YMBA Hall today (22).

Alleged brothel raided in Pasyala

At least seven people including four women were arrested today when police raided an alleged brothel in Pasyala on the Colombo-Kandy Road. A top police official said the alleged brothel was operated in a subtle manner with clients coming to obtain the services being screened by two youths before the gates are open.

MR saddened over judiciary’s suspicion

President Mahinda Rajapaksa expressing that his government would not allow anyone to interfere with the country’ judiciary, said he was saddened by the fact that such a suspicion has arisen in the judiciary regarding a Cabinet member of the government.

Power cut from tomorrow

Power cut will be imposed in certain areas in the country from tomorrow for around two hours due to break down at the Lakvijaya and Kerawalapitiya power plants, the CEB announced.

Pranab elected India president

Former Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has won the Indian presidential election. Mr Mukherjee, a veteran of the ruling Congress Party, was elected by members of the national and state parliaments.

Python Panic

A youth in Walallawita who was riding his motorcycle with a friend got the shock of his life when he realized that a 15-foot long python had encircled the moving motorcycle.

Postal voting date announced

The postal voting for the forthcoming Sabaragamuwa, North Central and Eastern provincial council elections will be held on August 27th and 28th, the Government Information Department said quoting the Election Department official.

Z-score results released

The re-scrutinized Z-score results of the 2011 GCE Advanced Level examination have been released today, Sri Lanka’s Examination Department announced. Accordingly, results could be obtained via the Examination Department’s website at www.doenets.lk.

Lankan karate fighters in India sent home

Three Sri Lankan karate fighters could not participate in an international Karate championship at Pollachi town, Coimbatore in India as organisers asked them to return to their country after protests by some pro-Eelam outfits, police said.

SL to regulate repatriation of illegal migrants

The Sri Lanka government is working on forming a national committee to ensure readmission of illegal migrants living abroad in the wake of increased number of asylum seekers illegally leaving the island’s shores.

India beat SL by 21 runs

Former skipper Kumar Sangakkara's fighting knock of 133 went in vain as Sri Lanka lost their first one-day international against India by 21 runs to give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the five-match ODI series at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota, Sri Lanka on Saturday.

Another Aussie bound boat load caught

A boat load carrying 53 passengers was taken into custody by the Navy, on the coast of Irakkandi off Nilaweli, the Navy said. The illegal migrants are suspected to have been travelling to Australia

CM will not be from Polonnaruwa; Berty

Former Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake said that the Chief Ministerial post for the North Central Province will never be given to a candidate from Polonnaruwa

India to bat first

Indian Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat, in the first of five ODI’s against Sri Lanka. The match is set to start shortly at the Mahinda Rajapaksa stadium in Hambanthota

Increase salaries to stop ministerial corruption- Navin

Minister Navin Dissanayake said that salaries of  ministers must be increased, in order to curb ministerial corruption

Sri Lanka seeks another IMF bailout

Sri Lanka announced the completion of a $2.6 billion IMF bailout, but it was seeking fresh loans to support an economy emerging from decades of ethnic war

200 Kg's of TNT found

The Army discovered over 200 Kilo grams of TNT explosives in Puthukuduirippu this morning during demining, Military Spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasuriya said

IMF approves $415 m loan‎ to SL

The International Monetary Fund on Friday approved a final disbursement of $415 million to Sri Lanka and said its economy has been set on a more sustainable footing by its government's tough new monetary and fiscal policies.

CCTV in the fit-on leads to killing: Police

The motive behind the killing of the owner of a textile shop – millionaire Larick Rajapaksa (43) has been revealed as a dispute following a woman being videoed while she was in the fit- on room in the shop by the Close Circuit TV camera, Police said.

‘Yaldevi’ to resume next year: India HC

The Yaldevi train is set to resume services from Colombo to Jaffna next year ahead of schedule, Indian High Commissioner Ashok. K. Kantha said. He said the Indian government was currently taking all necessary measures to ensure that the service would resume within the next year.

Complaint against Minister

Mannar Magistrate A. Judsaan lodged a complaint with the Mannar police this evening against Minister Rishard Bathiudeen for allegedly threatening him over the phone regarding a court order he had given and also over the attack on the Mannar Court, police said.