Hillary warns Russia and China

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned today (Friday) that Russia and China should expect to "pay a price" if they hold up sanctions against Syria. Clinton urged other countries present at a Friends of Syria meeting in Paris to reach out to Russia and China and demand that they end their support for the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Video:'All Lankan trainees to be sent off today'

Under attack from all political parties, including ruling UPA key ally DMK, the Centre on Friday decided to “send off” the Sri Lankan airmen from the IAF station at Tambaram where they were undergoing training. Video..

Galle DIG suspended on bribery charges

Galle DIG Hector Dharmasiri has been suspended by the IGP following charges of bribery, Police Spokesman SP Ajith Rohana said.

Delhi may ignore-The Hindu

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s demand to scrap training courses for Sri Lankan Air Force personnel is unlikely to find takers in New Delhi because Sri Lanka and India, just last week, have decided to enhance cooperation in security issues, the Hindu Newspaper reported.

Notice against Jaffna Magistrate

The Court of Appeal today issued a stay order preventing the Jaffna Magistrate from taking any further steps to deal with the Editor of the Jaffna based newspaper ‘Uthayan’ for contempt. Notice was issued on the Jaffna Magistrate to appear before the Court on July 20

Sanga returns to the top of ICC rankings

Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara made a return to the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test batting rankings after scoring a big century against Pakistan in the drawn Test at the SSC

Australia bound 41 arrested in Wakarai

At least 41 people including woman and children were taken into police custody while waiting to flee to Australia illegally in Mankeni, Wakarai last evening, police said

India, SL navy to get to bottom of fishermen issue

The recent arrest of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy and related incidents will figure at the bilateral International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) meeting of the navies of India and Sri Lanka to be held shortly

Water bills to go up

National Water Resources and Drainage Board Chairman Karunasena Hettiarachchi said that the water rates would be increased soon

JVP names heads nomination lists

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has announced the names of those who would head the nomination lists of its candidates contesting the forthcoming elections to the three provincial councils

Audio: Ministers are like prisoners: Hemakumara

Former Presidential Advisor Hemakumara Nanayakkara alleged that Ministers of the government are like prisoners

'No immediate threat of power cuts'

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka told the media there was no immediate threat of power cuts though the prolonged drought had badly affected the catchment areas.

Video: Child rape on the rise; Police

The number of reported cases of child rape and abuse has increased by five per cent with upto 975 cases reported in the last six months, Police media spokesman Ajith Rohana said

Bajaj reduces prices of three-wheelers and bikes in SL

Auto major Bajaj Auto cut prices of its 2-wheelers as well as 3-wheelers in Sri Lanka in order to bring back volumes lost post the excise duty hike in the country. Sri Lanka accounts for almost 5-7 per cent of the total volumes of the company.

Tamils’ rehab issue discussed-Singh

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has told his government’s key partner DMK that he had taken up with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse the steps required for rehabilitation of Sri Lankan Tamils in that country.

Video: Media laws to be amended

The government said today that laws with regard to the media would be amended making the registration of news websites compulsory by law.

SLPL player draft behind closed doors

The player draft of the inaugural Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL) T20 will be held today at 5 p.m. at Taj amudra Hotel in Colombo behind closed doors and will be out of bound for media.

Audio: UNP says Govt. militarising schools

Main opposition UNP today charged that the Government was trying to militarise schools by giving military training and military ranks to school principals.

Jaya asks Centre to block SLAF training

Taking objection to the training being imparted to Sri Lankan Air Force personnel at an Indian Air Force base near Chennai, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalaithaa today (Thursday) urged the Centre to immediately cancel the programme and send the personnel back to Sri Lanka.

Detention of fishermen: CM seeks Manmohan’s intervention

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa appealed to the Prime Minister for his intervention in the detention of fishermen from Tamil Nadu by Sri Lankan Navy.

SL hits back at US

Sri Lanka hits back Wednesday over claims it is clamping down on media freedom after criticism from rights groups and Washington for its shutting of opposition news websites.

Video: Safety jackets essential to climb Sigiriya

The Sigiriya Central Cultural Fund Manager Vajira Ferdinand said from today it was compulsory for foreign tourists to wear special protective jackets if they wished to go beyond the ‘Lion’s Paw’ when climbing the Sigiriya Rock Fortress

Death sentence for heroin peddler

A heroin peddler  accused of trafficking 10.8 grams of heroin was sentenced to death by the Colombo High Court today

Second Pakistan-SL Test drawn

The second Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka ended in a draw in Colombo on Wednesday after the hosts avoided the follow-on on the fifth and final day.

Harry J released on personal bail

Business tycoon Harry Jayawardena and five other Directors of Melstacorp Limited were released on a personal bail of 2 million rupees each for violation of Section 51 (2) of the Securities and Exchange Commissions act

MR to appoint committee on Z-score: SB

Higher Education Minister SB Dissanayake said today that President Mahinda Rajapaksa would appoint a committee to supervise the UGC when it recalculates the Z score ratings as directed by the Supreme Court.

SL bowled out for 391

Sri Lanka were bowled out for 391 runs in the second test match against Pakistan currently played at the SSC. Kumar Sangakkara was dismissed for the second time in the series on the brink of a double century after he was caught off the bowling of Junaid Khan for 192 runs

Video: Elections are a farce; Karu

UNP MP Karu Jayasuriya said the proposed elections to be held under the 18th amendment would be a farce

SL able to keep int’l shipping lane free from piracy activities

Sri Lanka said that it has been successful in keeping its busy international shipping lane off South Dondra Head free from any piracy or criminal activity with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Navy and the Coast Guards Service.

President against the bill

President Rajapaksa today asked the government group to vote against the proposed bill blocking priests from engaging in mainstream politics. UNP MP Wijedasa Rajapakshe was to present a private members bill earlier, which would prevent clergy from engaging in mainstream politics