Chinese firm to build $1.4 bln Port City

Sri Lanka has signed a deal with a Chinese company to build a $1.4 billion city complex on reclaimed land near the harbour of the capital Colombo, an official said Wednesday

Three Indians arrested for doing business illegally

Two Indian nationals who were on tourist visa were arrested yesterday by the Karadiyanaru police while they was engaged in selling clothes illegally, police said

Video: Karu willing to settle differences with Ranil

If UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had any differences of opinion, UNP senior member, Parliamentarian Karu Jayasuriya said he was ready to discuss them with the party leadership and patch things up, as his main concern was to bring the UNP back to power ???

Video: It was a deal: UNP

At a news conference soon after parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara ended his media briefing the UNP said he crossed over to the government to further his personal agenda and not because of differences with the party leadership ???

They are now my friends

Dayasiri Jayasekara, who was a vociferous critic of Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena and MP Duminda Silva, is seen in their company soon after today’s news conference held at the parliamentary complex. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana ???

Customs seizes undeclared container

The Customs Revenue Task Force (RTF) opened an unclaimed 40 foot container suspected to have been imported by businessman Shyam who was abducted and killed in May, the Customs said.

Nalin in place of Dayasiri

Nalin Bandara Jayamaha from the Bingiriya electorate will fill the parliamentary seat which fell vacant with the resignation of UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara

Engine detaches from train

The engine of a train, which was heading to Moratuwa from Colombo, is reported to have got detached between Kollupitiya and Kompannaveediya this afternoon, the control room said Pictures

JVP vows to abolish PC system and restore rights of all people

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) leader Somawansa Amarasinghe said his party would abolish the provincial council system under a JVP government and that it would restore the rights of all communities

Video: My leader is Mahinda Rajapaksa: Dayasiri

UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara announcing his resignation as an MP said he would contest the elections to the NWP on the UPFA ticket. He said he believed that freedom in the UNP was under severe threat ???

70 SL asylum seekers saved from watery grave

At least 70 Sri Lankan asylum seekers who were in distress, 290 nautical miles south east of Sri Lanka were rescued yesterday by a merchant vessel after being informed by the Sri Lanka Navy.

Video: Method for resolving the national question

The JVP today launched a book consisting of a method of resolving the national question. JVP leader Somawansa Amarasinghe, JVP parliamentarian Vijitha Herath, members and supporters of the JVP were present at the launch. ???Pix by Praddep Pathirana

Dhanuna's grandmother released

The Colombo Fort Magistrate today ordered to release and acquit Dhanuna Tillekeratne's 82-year-old grand-mother from the case in which she had been charged with harbouring an offender by providing accommodation to her grandson Dhanuna

Tense situation in Rawatawatta

A tense situation is reported in Rawatawatta as protesting carpenters hurled water bottles at MInister Jeevan Kumarathnuge who visited the scene of protestPICTURES

Thirteen policemen transferred

Thirteen policemen attached to the Minuwangoda police station have been transferred with immediate effect, the Police Headquarters said

Video: I will join Govt; Dayasiri

UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said that he would be making a special statement in parliament today at 2. 00 PM and inform of his resignation from parliament and thereafter will contest for the Chief Ministerial Post on the UPFA ticket. UPDATE ???

Dayasiri to cross over

Speculation is rife that UNP Kurunegala District MP Dayasiri Jayasekera is to cross over to the government today. UNP sources said that MP Jayasekera had reportedly met President Mahinda Rajapaksa and discussed the impending cross over.

Boat carrying asylum seekers found drifting

A boat carrying asylum seekers has been found floating off the coast of Sri Lanka, about 250 nautical miles to the South East of Galle, Navy spokesman Kosala Warnakulasuriya said

Will throw full weight behind TNA: Sangaree

Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) leader V. Anandasangaree will contest the elections to the Northern Provincial Council from the Kilinochchi district on the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) ticket after returning to active politics breaking a long silence

Boat carrying asylum seekers including Lankans sinks

A boat carrying as many as 170 suspected asylum seekers bound for Australia has sunk off the south coast of Indonesia, with up to 60 people feared dead or missing, Australian media reported on Wednesday

SL win rain-hit second ODI against SA

Rain and an on-field injury which prevented South African opener Hashim Amla from batting spurred Sri Lanka to a 17-run win under the Duckworth-Lewis method in the second one-dayer on Tuesday

Nawagattegama teacher’s spouse complains of threats

The husband of the Navodya Maha Vidyalaya teacher -- who was allegedly asked to kneel in the presence of former provincial councillor Ananda Sarath Kumara -- had in a police complaint said Mr. Kumara had threatened him and his wife

Common ATM Switch

LankaClear (Pvt) Ltd., the national payment infrastructure provider, launched the Common ATM Switch (CAS) under the Brand Name “LankaPay” today at a glittering launch ceremony held at Water’s Edge, Battaramulla. The first transactions of the switch were carried out by Mr Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Governor of Central Bank and Mr Ananda Silva, Deputy Governor of Central Bank on two ATMs of Bank of Ceylon and People’s Bank at t

Brotherhood Day: Unity in diversity

The Sri Lanka Socialist Youth Union organised a campaign in Fort today to mark ‘The Brotherhood Day’. The union distributed leaflets explaining the need for unity in diversity among all communities in Sri Lanka. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Met Dep. Warns of strong winds

The Department of Meteorology issued a bad weather advisory valid for the next 18 hours, warning that strong winds increasing up to 70kmph will prevail over the island and surrounding sea areas due to the active Southwest monsoon

British MP’s remarks totally inappropriate: SL

Responding to remarks made by House of Commons MP Simon Danczuk to the media on the ongoing investigations into the killing of British tourist Khuram Shaikh, the Ministry of External Affairs said the comments were totally inappropriate

Indian fishermen invited to meet MR

The fishermen leaders in Rameshwaran, Tamil Nadu said that they received an invitation from Sri Lanka for a meeting with Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo, the Times of India reported

SL vessel sinks, crew rescued

Thirty-one crew men were rescued after their two ships including one carrying a Sri Lankan national flag collided off the coast of Sharjah in UAE in the early hours of Friday a UAE news source reported

SL to share military skills with Uganda

Sri Lanka is to share its military know how with Uganda and also to provide specialized training to Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF), media reports said

Sangaree to contest from our party- TNA

The leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) V. Anandasangaree would contest the Northern Provincial Council elections from the Tamil National Alliance, media spokesman of the TNA Suresh Premachandran said