Congress scorched by BJP’s massive wins in Indian state elections

Govt. declares two days mourning for Mandela

The Government Information Department said today that December 10 and 11 would be declared national days of mourning in honour of the late South African President Nelson Mandela.

Probe on EPF investments idling

The Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC) has failed to resume inquiries into the controversial investments of workers’ savings in the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) for the last 11 months, raising serious questions about financial irregularities, United National Party (UNP) National List MP Dr. Harsha de Silva said.

India, Lanka enjoy unbreakable bonds, says Indian envoy

India and Sri Lanka are linked by an unbreakable historical bond as they share a common religion in Buddhism, the Indian High Commissioner for Sri Lanka said today.

Illumination for an emancipator

A girls lights a candle during a mass commemorating late South African former president Nelson Mandela on December 8, 2013 in Soweto, near Johannesburg. South Africans crowded into churches, mosques. AFP

Akashi here

The Japanese Government’s Special Peace Envoy Yasushi Akashi arrived in Sri Lanka on a special visit a short while ago.

Global Buddhists come to Bodh Gaya for peace conference

Buddhist from across the globe gathered in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, on Sunday to attend a conference, aimed at spreading the message of peace.

MR to attend Nelson Mandela's funeral

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will visit South Africa to pay his last respects to the late Nelson Mandela and then visit Kenya, Presidential spokesman Mohan Samaranayaka said

DIG transfers

Eight Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs) had been transferred with effect from December 10 by Inspector General of Police (IGP) N. K. Illangakoon, the Police Department said.

Safety alert for Lankan domestic workers

The relevant authorities in Sri Lanka along with international bodies have reached an agreement to formulate standard service terms focusing on the safety of migrant domestic workers.

16 more SL fishermen arrested by India

The Indian Coast Guard apprehended 16 Sri Lankans and three of their fishing boats, the coastal security agency said Saturday.

Many SL asylum seekers either students or visitors-UK

While claiming that many asylum seekers from Sri Lanka enter holding a visa to either study in the United Kingdom or to be visitors, Britain said that there were 7,445 asylum applications recorded from Sri Lankan national for the past five year period.

US says it would continue to be concerned over SL situ

The United States said on Friday that it would continue to be concerned about ongoing issues regarding restrictions on freedom of the press and expression, the erosion of the rule of law, and violence against religious minorities in Sri Lanka.

Five Lankans nabbed in Mexico

Five Sri Lankans, including two children were arrested while they were staying in a hotel in Colonia Centro Chetumal, in Maxico, Mexican media reported.

Video: Sajith calls for unity among all parties to save SL

United National Party Parliamentarian Sajith Premadasa today said that all political parties in the country should join hands to form an all party movement and come to an agreement in order to face and defeat the upcoming resolution against Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council

Farbrace to be Sri Lanka coach

Former Sri Lanka team Assistant coach Paul Farbrace will take over as the next Sri Lanka coach from Graham Ford, after the series against Pakistan in December-January

Bad weather due to tropical cyclone in Bay of Bengal

The Meteorology Department issuing an advisory valid for next 24 hours said intermittent showers or thundershowers exceeding 150 mm would be experienced at some places in Northern, Eastern, and North central provinces

Video: Pettah shops ablaze

Fire fighters are trying to douse a fire that broke out a short while ago near the Bodhiraja Temple in Pettah affecting several shops. Pictures

Inspection tour

Chief Justice Mohan Peiris engaged in an inspection tour of the Mount Lavinia Courts today to identify any shortcomings in the buildings within the court complex. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

BoI won’t register any more private schools

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardene today told Parliament that the Board of Investment (BoI) had stopped the registration of any private schools hereafter.

Yashushi Akashi due here

The Government said today Japanese Peace envoy Yashushi Akashi will arrive in Sri Lanka on Sunday.

37 injured in head-on collision

Thirty seven passengers were injured this afternoon in a head-on collision between a SLTB bus and a private bus on the Nittambuwa-Katunayake road near 1st mile post, police said.

UK to discuss on SL with other countries

Britain said that it would continue to discuss on the situation in Sri Lanka, including human rights issues with a range of other EU, Commonwealth and international partners over the coming months.

Mandela, an iconic figure -MR

President Mahinda Rajapaksa described late Nelson Mandela as an iconic figure who has left an indelible mark globally. In a condolence message, President Rajapaksa as Chair in Office of the Commonwealth

Negligence or carelessness may land you in court

Police said today the law would be strictly enforced if a person’s death was caused by another’s negligence or carelessness. Senior DIG Gamini Navaratne has instructed every police station

23 SL health officers to treat Haiyan victims

Twenty three Sri Lankan health officers will leave for Philippines today to treat victims of the Haiyan cyclone, the Health Ministry said today. They met President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday. The health officers were deployed on a request made by the President

Jaguar F-type here

The Jaguar F-type was launched in Sri Lanka yesterday at the Museum Gallery Cafe. The F-type is considered a true Jaguar sports car, powerful, agile and distinctive.  Pix by Samantha Perera

Video: 52% of the budget allocated for three ministers - UNP

UNP Badulla District Parliamentarian Harin Fernando said today 52% of the budget was allocated to three Ministers of the same family while the balance 48% was allocated to the rest

Cuddling a baby

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa was seen cuddling a baby at the Battaramulla ‘Good Market’ which celebrated its first birthday yesterday. A fashion show was held to celebrate the event. Pix by Samantha Perera

82 SL fishermen arrested by India in last 10 days

Twenty-six Sri Lankan fishermen were arrested over the past two days for allegedly illegally fishing in Indian waters, taking the total of Lankan Nationals arrested in the last ten days to 82