No Tsunami threat for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka lifted the tsunami alert and people could now return to their homes but are advised to not go to sea, the Met Department said

Aftershock recorded in Sumatra

The Disaster Management Centre said that a 6.0 magnitude after-shock was recorded at Sumatra, Indonesia a short while ago. The DMC said that several aftershocks are usually felt for 30 minutes in the aftermath of a major quake

Trains stopped, power to be disconnected

Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) says it has disconnected power supply to coastal areas and Railway control room says all train services in coastal lines stopped due to the current situation

Private buses stop in coastal areas

Private buses in coastal areas stopped for three hours as a precautionary measure, Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA) President Gemunu Wijeratne said

Expressway free of charge

Vehicles are allowed to use the Southern Highway free of charge today due to the current situation after the earthquake in Indonesia, Deputy Minister Nirmala Kothalawala said

Tsunami warning in South and East

Tsunami warning issued for Sri Lanka’s coastal areas and the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) advices people in coastal areas to evacuate to safe areas, the Government Information Department said. UPDATED

Tremor in Colombo

Certain parts of Colombo felt slight tremors a short while ago as a result of  8.9 magnitude earthquake in Sumathra, Indonesia. The department of metrology said that evacuation warnings would be issued to all coastal areas

The whole incident is unclear: JVP

Propaganda secretary of the JVP Vijitha Herath commenting on the recent abduction of two Frontline Socialist Party activists, said that there are contradicting stories regarding the issue. “There are contradicting views given by all relevant parties related to the incident.

Might be JVP, who knows? Govt.

Cabinet spokesman Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena elaborately explained the factionalism of the JVP and insinuated that the factionalism might be a cause for the abduction. “ I don’t know who did it, but I can tell you for sure that it wasn’t the government. VIDEO

Gunaratnam claims he was tortured

The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) strongman Premkumar Gunaratnam who was abducted and released on Tuesday charged that a group connected to the defence sector seemingly well experienced in abductions took him away from his residence at Kiribathgoa on Saturday VIDEO

Talks on nuclear issues soon: SL envoy

India and Sri Lanka were engaged bilaterally in nuclear technology-related issues High Commissioners of both countries stationed in New Delhi and Colombo have confirmed. There was no move to take nuclear safety of any other issue to any international forum, they added.

India’s vote was bewildering – CBK

Former Sri Lankan president Chandrika Kumaratunga on Tuesday said that she was rather bewildered by India’s decision to vote against the country at a US-sponsored UN resolution seeking action against Lanka on the purported war crimes committed during its almost three-decade-long war against the LTTE. VIDEO

Body found in Kirulapone

An unidentified body was found this morning in a canal in Kirulapone, the Police said. The Police are currently investigating the incident and are looking to ascertain the identity of the body

Foreign missions briefed

The External Affairs Ministry informed all the diplomatic missions based in Colombo today that Kumar Gunaratnam was deported from Sri Lanka because his stay in the country was in breach of immigration laws.

Gota slams Australia

Defense secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa speaking on the alleged abduction of Kumar Gunarathnam said that the Australian High Commission did not furnish him with any information regarding Gunarathnam when he requested for them a few months ago.

Australia thanks SL

While confirming the departure of Frontline Socialist Party’s leader Kumar Gunaratnam’s from Sri Lanka, the Australian authorities today thanked the police and other agencies in Sri Lanka for facilitating his departure.

Nuclear issue: Karunanidhi slams SL

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has attacked Sri Lanka for suggesting that it is at risk from India's nuclear plants located in the South of India

Missing Dimuthu Attygala returns

JVP dissident group member Dimuthu Attygala, who was reportedly missing along with Kumar Gunaratnam, has turned up at the party office in Madiwela a short while ago. She is to address the media conference shortly, our reporter said. VIDEO

Chinese man dies in Puttalam

A Chinese employee who was attached to the Norochcholai thermal power project was suddenly taken ill on Monday night (09) and died on admission to the Puttalam Base Hospital, Kalpitiya police said

Lightening kills two

Two people were killed and one injured when lightening struck yesterday in a playground in Gallewa area in Galgamuwa while they were playing cricket, police said

Noel Gunaratnam surrendered

A person by the name Noel Mudalige believe to be JVP dissident Kumar Gunaratnam had  surrendered to police last night and presently awaiting the departure at the Bandaranaike International airport, police spokesman Ajith Rohana said UPDATE

Kumar unconnected with LTTE says wife

Champa Somaratna, the wife of Premakumar Gunaratnam, has said that her husband was not affiliated with the separatist LTTE although he was a Tamil, news agencies reported

We can prove it-FSP

The Frontline Socialists Party today refuted a government officials statement made to the effect that there is no documentary evidence of Kumar Gunarathnam arriving in the country VIDEO

FSP to revive socialism in Sri Lanka

The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) launched today by Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) dissidents charged that recent abductions of their activists showed that the capitalist government was alarmed at the revival of socialism in Sri Lanka

Lankan who set fire to detention centre over cigarettes jailed

Eight inmates  including a Sri Lankan have been sentenced to three years in jail for setting fire to a detention centre in Dubai after being refused cigarettes.

Navy petty officer blows himself up

A retired navy petty officer blew himself up with explosives stuffed into his belt. Police media spokesman Ajith Rohana said the incident was reported on Makubura area in Homagama this morning at around 5.30am.

Australia presses SL on missing activist

Canberra said it was seeking "urgent clarification" Monday on the fate of an Australian man reported by his family and political party to have been abducted in Sri Lanka over his activism.

Emergency landing at BIA

A Mihin Air flight bound for Malaysia made an emergency landing at Katunayake after a fire erupted in the cargo compartment. There are no details of damages yet the Government Information Department said. UPDATED

“Marvellous opportunity”- CBK

Sri Lanka has a “marvellous opportunity” to heal and reconcile its twin populations after 25 years of civil war, says Chandrika Kumaratunga, Sri Lanka’s former Prime Minister and President.

SL has the right-Shavendra

UN Deputy permanent representative of Sri Lanka Major General Shavendra Silva has said that Sri Lanka has the right to express views with regard to the United Nations, since it is a member country. AUDIO