Met. warning: Heavy showers

Meteorology Department warned today that heavy showers up to more than 100mm in could occur in the Western slopes of the central hills. Pictures

Attacks on fishermen: Karunanidhi seeks Centre's intervention

DMK president M Karunanidhi today sought the Centre's intervention to end increasing incidents of apprehending of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy and also their request to fish near the island nation for a select period due to dwindling resources.

Tight security for funeral

Security has been tightened in Rathupaswela Weliweriya ahead of the funeral of 17-year-old Akila Dinesh, who was shot dead on Thursday night during a protest against contaminated water. Three persons were killed and several others including journalists, were injured during the clash with the army. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: Weliweriya death toll rises to three

A 29-year-old man who was also injured in the clashes at Weliweriya is reported to have died while being treated at the National hospital bringing death toll to three, hospital sources said???

Thalawila St. Anne’s Church Festival

The annual Thalawila St. Anne's Church Festival was held this morning under the patronage of Bishop of Chilaw Rt. Rev. Dr. Valens Mendis. More than 150,000 devotees have reached the church in view of the festival which is one of the major church festivals in Sri Lanka. Pix by Jude Samantha

New Zealand dairy giant issues global botulism alert

New Zealand warned international health authorities Saturday of exported dairy products, including infant formula, containing a bacteria that could lead to botulism -- a potentially fatal illness.

Weliweriya clash: another succumbs to injuries

Another 19 year-old youth has succumbed to his injuries at the ICU of the Colombo National Hospital following the incident in Weliweriya, Police said.

Teacher-Principal TUs concerned over student’s killing

The Teacher-Principal Trade Unions Joint Committee while urging the government to look into the killing of a 17 year-old schoolboy during Thursday’s protest in Rathupaswala, Weliweriya, said the government should take the responsibility for the incident

Beware of strong winds: Met Dept.

The Meteorology Department today warned of a sudden increase in southwesterly winds which may rise up to 60-80 kmph during the next two days over the western and southern seas and over the island particularly along the western slopes of the Central hills

Three Police personnel interdicted

Three police personnel including a woman constable attached to the Boralesgamuwa police station were interdicted over the incident where a woman escaped from their custody recently, police said

Timber Corp. manager shot dead

A showroom manager of the Sri Lanka Timber Corporation Ratnapura Branch was shot dead in Ratnapura last night, police said

Rangasamy urged to secure release of 29 fishermen

Representatives of 10 fishing panchayats in Karaikal met Chief Minister N. Rangasamy on Friday to urge him to take immediate steps for the release of the 29 Karaikal fishermen who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy

Kalutara PS member arrested over shooting incident

UNP Kalutara pradeshiya Sabha member, Gamini Kawiratne and his son were arrested in connection with an alleged shooting incident in Waskaduwa, Kalutara North last evening, police said

Don't blame govt. for attack on journalists: Athugala

Government Information Department Director General Ariyaratne Athugala said today that all media institutions should take the responsibility for the assault on journalists during yesterday’s incident in Weliweriya and said the government could not be held responsible for it.

Audio: Mervyn blames Gampaha politicos

Public Relations Minister Mervyn Silva charged yesterday that politicians in the Gampaha District had failed in their duty in resolving the crisis that had erupted regarding the contamination of drinking water.

US issues worldwide travel alert

The U.S. State Department issued a worldwide travel alert on Friday, warning U.S. citizens about the "continued potential for terrorist attacks, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa."

Bharatha killing: soldier gives evidence

An STF soldier giving evidence in the non-summary trial into the killing of former presidential adviser Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra and three others during Local Government elections at Mulleriyawa said ..

Summon SL high commissioner, Jayalalithaa urges PM

Upset over the frequent incidents of abduction and arrest of fishermen from Tamil Nadu by the Sri Lankan navy, chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to summon the high commissioner of Sri Lanka in New Delhi and convey India's strong protest.

Army to launch internal inquiry

Army Commander Daya Ratnayake has appointed a Board of Inquiry headed by Adjutant General of the Sri Lanka Army Major General Jagath Dias to inquire into the allegations levelled against the army during the  Weliweriya incident on Thursday.

Weliveriya this morning

The town of Weliweriya resembled a war zone today as buffle vehicles and army personnel patrolled along the roads that were tattered following yesterday’s violence. The clash resulted in the death of a 17 year-old school boy and injured dozens of others. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

One lane to be closed on new Kelani bridge

The Police said that the one lane of the new Kelani Bridge will be close for a period of one month from tomorrow in order due to the extension of the Katunayake Colombo Expressway.

Video: Ranil appoints District and Bala Mandala leaders

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today gave appointment letters to the new District and Bala Mandala leaders at the party headquarters Sirikotha. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: Gen. Jayasuriya assumes duties as CDS

General Jagath Jayasuriya assumed duties as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) today. The former Army Commander succeeded Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonethileke. Senior members of the military were present at the event which was held at the CDS office in BMICH. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: JVP condemns attack on unarmed villagers

JVP Propaganda Secretary and parliamentarian Vijitha Herath today condemned the attack on the people who were protesting in Weliweriya and said the government had failed to resolve this issue before valuable lives were lost

Three killed in collision

Three people were killed and two injured in a head-on collision between a car and a private bus last morning at Dalada Gama on the Padeniya-Anuradhapura Road

US concerned about Weliveriya incident

The United States said that it was ‘concerned’ about the violence in yesterdays protest and urged for restraint from all sides.

MR invites Pope

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has invited HIS holiness Pope Francis to visit Sri Lanka, presidential spokesman Mohan Samaranayake said. A few days ago Pope Francis intimated his intention of coming to Sri Lanka during a visit to some Asian countries

Video: Ranil in Weliweriya

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe visited Weliweriya and the surrounding areas where the army is alleged to have assaulted unarmed villagers while they were demonstrating against the contamination of ground water

39 illegal asylum seekers netted in Matara

A group of 39 people were taken into custody from a house in the Kanattagoda police area in Matara while they were getting ready to flee to Australia illegally as asylum seekers last night, police said.

Newly appointed Deraniyagala OIC transferred

Prabath Deshabandu, the newly appointed OIC of Deraniyagala has received sudden transfer orders instructing him to vacate his post with immediate effect. Accordingly he has been transferred to the Padiyathalawa Police Station in the Ampara district