SL to bat first

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat after rain delayed the start of the second Dialog Cup One-Day International against South Africa at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on today.

Video: Some Govt. members want UNP tickets: Tissa

Some Provincial Councillors and Provincial Ministers who contested under the UPFA ticket at the last Provincial Council Elections had requested for nomination under the UNP for the upcoming elections, UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said today ???

Another test paper muddle

The Commerce question papers at today’s Grade 10 and 11 term test in the Western Province were cancelled because of a reported leak, Sri Lanka Teachers’ Union General Secretary Joseph Stalin said

Houses, vehicles damaged by falling trees

The gale force winds that prevailed in most parts of Colombo this morning had uprooted several trees, which damaged houses and vehicles in the vicinity. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel and Kushan Pathiraja

Falling tree kills motorcyclist

A motorcyclist was killed and a double cab and a car damaged when a tree fell on them at Kirula Road in Narahenpita this morning, police said

Museum: suspects out on bail

Seven suspects out of the eight arrested in connection with theft at the National Museum were granted bail today by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. The seven were granted surety bail of rupees one million each.

Audio: Bad weather to continue: spill gates opened

The Meteorology Department today said that the heavy rains, accompanied by strong winds, would continue until tomorrow ???

Falling trees damage vehicles, houses

Several houses and vehicles were damaged due to the strong wind that was reported from areas in De Saram place, National Hospital, Kirulapana and Dematagoda today.

Protest halts train service

Train services were halted at the Batuwatta, Ragama station due to a protest carried out by the villagers over the construction of the Northern Expressway PICTURES

Cops interdicted after suspect flees

A female police sergeant and a police constable attached to the Madampe police were interdicted today after a suspect who was in their custody of the Police had escaped from their custody, the Police said.

Deeds of army-vacated lands to owners next month

Jaffna Security Forces Commander Mahinda Hathurusinghe said the deeds of lands once occupied by the Army would be handed over to the owners by the Land Ministry beginning from next month

Video: Kate gives birth to boy

The Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a baby boy, Kensington Palace has announced. The baby was delivered at 16:24 BST at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, west London, weighing 8lb 6oz ???

COPE report to be presented today

The 310-page report of the parliament watchdog the Committee On Public Enterprises (COPE) will be handed over to speaker Chamal Rajapaksa today, COPE Chairman and Senior Minister D.E.W. Gunasekara said

Parties supporting 13A in coalition talks

The ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Government’s constituent parties, which support the full implementation of the 13th Amendment are currently discussing the ways and means of fielding candidates under a common alliance, the Daily Mirror learns

‘Esala Pahan Pooja’

The Annual ‘Esala Pahan Pooja’ was held today at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo to invoke blessings on the people. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

On bended knees

Parliamentarian Duminda Silva is seen greeting President Mahinda Rajapaksa in front of Temple Trees today during the Esala Perahera organised by the Education Ministry.  JHU provincial councillor Udaya Gammanpila is seated next to the President. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: No 'business' for the Army: UNP

The UNP today warned the government against moves to make the Army take on ‘profitable ventures,’ stating it sets a dangerous precedent and could result in a situation similar to that of Egypt.

Pregnant Kate taken to hospital

The Duchess of Cambridge has been taken to hospital in the early stages of labour, Kensington Palace has said.

DMK MPs to protest in front of Parliament on SL issue

DMK MPs will stage a protest in front of the Parliament complex on August eight pressing the Centre to boycott the CHOGM meeting in Colombo in November, insisting the implementation of 13th amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution, among other demands

Devotees at Kelaniya

Esala Full Moon Poya Day is significant for Buddhists in Sri Lanka. It was on a day such as this that the Lord Buddha preached his first Dhamma sermon - the 'Dhamma Chakka Pavattana Sutta'. Devotees are seen at the Kelaniya temple taking part in religious observances. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Worker stabbed to death at Wattala PS Chairman’s house

A male employee of the Wattala Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman’s house was stabbed to death by suspected robbers last night, the Police said. The 78-year-old victim had been alone at the house at the time of the incident.

Nose bite by politico

The nose of an employee of the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) was allegedly bitten by a former UNP organizer for Mahara, Thushara Hemachandra during a wedding ceremony in Attanagalle yesterday.

Security heightened on alert at Chennai airport

With memories still vivid of the July 24, 2001, Bandaranaike airport blast in Sri Lanka where 26 aircraft were either damaged or destroyed in an LTTE attack, the month of July has always been hectic for security agencies in India.

Pair found guilty of murdering Lankan man

Two men accused of murdering a Sri Lankan dairy farm worker in Canterbury, New Zealand in February this year have been found guilty.

UNP wants Range and Asoka back

Whilst UNP MPs Palitha Range Bandara and Asoka Abeysinghe are planning to file separate lists for the North Western Provincial Council, attempts are being made to woo them back into the party fold, informed source said.

Swiss couple robbed in Kandy

Belongings worth about rupees four hundred and fifty thousand was allegedly robbed from a Swiss couple while strolling along the road around Kandy Lake on Friday night by a gang who had fled after the robbery.

Two remanded for swindling thousands of people

A  Manageress and a Director who have been working under an individual who was employed as a Director under Sakvithi Ranasinghe  and operated the  Sithijaya  Homes and  Rajagedara Homes  Companies were remanded

Suspect’s mother in high handed act

A woman who allegedly threatened an estate worker, a Tamil woman, who provided information on the murder of the superintendent of Nooriwatta Estate in Deraniyagala was arrested by police today.

Mervyn not ready to give up Kelaniya

Public Relations Minister Mervyn Silva said if he was found guilty for any of wrong doings by his party or any Court, he would resign from the post of Kelaniya electorate organiser and give up politics forever.

Minister cancels licence of drug supplier

As a special inquiry was underway following the recovery of a sleeping tablet stock worth Rs. 200,000 from a person in Kosgama, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has ordered that the permit of the drug supplier be cancelled