Video: Obama to visit SL by year end

US President Barak Obama had assured that he would visit Sri Lanka at the end of this year, Leader of the House and Plantation Industries Minister Lakshman Kiriella told a news briefing today. 

Lankan assaulted in special camp in India

A Sri Lankan Tamil, Y. Srijeyan (39), housed in a special camp in Madras, India, sustained a head injury after he was allegedly assaulted by two other inmates on Sunday night.

Veteran actor Tony Ranasinghe no more

Veteran actor Tony Ranasinghe passed away this morning at the age of 77 at a private hospital  in Colombo. He was born in July 31, 1937 in Modara.

STF nabs Peliyagoda constable for selling heroin

In a shocking detection, the Police Special Task Force yesterday arrested a Police Constable attached to the Peliyagoda Crime Division for selling heroin, with 120 sachets.

CEB to convert all diesel power plants to gas

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) will convert all its furnace oil and diesel powered power plants to gas powered plants in the near future using the gas deposits found in the Mannar basin which will be a major turning point of the economic, trade and industrial progress in Sri Lanka, Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

‘Transparent process crucial for reconciliation’

A transparent process to develop credible mechanism for accountability and reconciliation is needed in Sri Lanka ahead of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) report at the September session, United Nations Human Rights High Commissioner Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said.

Video: Ministers at lab opening

Solheim has no role in SL affairs-Mangala

Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera said today that former Norwegian peace envoy Erik Solheim had absolutely no role to play in Sri Lankan affairs, but that his views on engagement with the diaspora, in the context of his long experience, were of value.

28 injured in Matale accident

Twenty-eight people were hospitalised following an accident, when a SLTB bus collided with a lorry on the A-9 Road at Mahawela in Matale, the Police said.

Supreme Court dismisses SF’s FR petition

The Supreme Court today dismissed a Fundamental Rights petition filed by Capt. Senaka Haripriya de Silva, on behalf of Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka seeking his reinstatement to Parliament.

CBK led govt. was the worst: Bandula

The economic and political policies adopted during the tenure of former President Chandrika Kumaratunga were the worst in the history of Sri Lanka, United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Bandula Gunawardena charged today.

AG files appeal over Kotakethana verdict

The Attorney General (AG) had filed a Leave to Appeal application before Court of Appeal challenging an order of the High Court to acquit and discharge all accused in the killing of a mother, and her daughter at Kotakethana in July 2012.

Video: Heroin and cash seized

Port city writ fixed for support

The Court of Appeal today fixed for support a writ application filed against the Chinese funded Colombo Port City Project.

MS appoints CDS, SLAF Commander

Video: UNP to write to President

The United National Party (UNP) would make a written request to President Maithripala Sirisena to dissolve Parliament, a Deputy Minister said today.

Hand grenades destroyed

Student’s body found with stab injuries

The body of a 17-year-old student with stab injuries was found in a teak forest behind a school at Miriswelpotha in Uda Walawa this morning, police said.

Basil granted bail

Former Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and three others were granted Rs. 100,000 cash bail each with a surety of Rs. 1 million each by the Colombo High Court today in the case where the four were charged of misusing Divineguma Public Fund.

D.V. Upul released on bail

Southern Provincial Council Minister D.V. Upul was released on a cash bail of Rs. 25,000 and two sureties of Rs. 1 million each by Colombo Fort Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya today.

Gagan Bulathsinghala new SLAF Commander

Air Vice Marshal Gagan Pulasthi Bulathsinghala was appointed as the Commander of the Air Force by President Maithripala Sirisena today, President’s Media Division said.

Video: Heroin worth Rs.30 mn seized

A man was arrested with 3 kgs of heroin worth Rs. 30 million from Wattala last night by the Police Narcotics Bureau.

Eric Solheim back in SL affairs

The former Norwegian Minister Eric Solheim, who acted as the peace facilitator between the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE at that time, shared his experience in engaging the Diaspora at a meeting in London, Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera said in Parliament.

MR creates ethnic rifts, prejudice: UNP

The United National Party (UNP) said yesterday that it was highly regretted to see former President Mahinda Rajapaksa trying to create rifts, prejudice, hatred and animosity among different ethnic groups in the country.

Stop playing games: Mahanayake to MPs

The Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatte Chapter, the Most Venerable Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera called on all political parties in Parliament to stop playing political games such as bringing in no confidence motions.

Revellers get nasty shock at Mt. beach

Twenty-one people who were frolicking on the Mount Lavinia beach this evening were hospitalised after coming into contact with a poisonous variety of jelly fish that had been floating in the water.

MR denies allegations against wife

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa today rejected the charges that his wife, former first lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa had transferred the funds of the Siriliya Saviya Foundation to her private account and purchased a house in Colombo 5 using the money.

ICEU demands Bill gazetted to increase pvt sector wages

Inter-Company Employees Union (ICEU) today urged President Maithripala Sirisena to take immediate action to gazette the Bill increasing private sector workers’ wages by Rs. 2500 as promised in the Interim Budget.

Abbott ignores plea for answers on boat payment

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott refused again Sunday to deny allegations an official paid thousands of dollars to turn back a boatload of asylum-seekers, despite calls from Indonesia for answers.

Lankan arrested with Rs. 4.75 mn worth USD at BIA

A Sri Lankan was arrested this morning while attempting to smuggle out US dollars worth Rs.4.75 million concealed inside his baggage at the Bandaranaike International Airport.