Dilshan joins Sydney Thunder

The ambitious rebuild of Sydney Thunder after two years of Big Bash League woe has continued with the signing of swashbuckling Sri Lankan opener Tillakaratne Dilshan.

Tackling illegal fishing: EC says SL improved

The European Commission said that Sri Lanka, which was blacklisted for illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF) on the high seas, has made credible progress to tackle the problem of illegal fishing.

MP Sritharan glorifies Prabhakaran

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian S. Sritharan today read out a prepared statement in Parliament glorifying and romanticizing the acts of slain LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.

SL to help Vietnam in legal matters

Sri Lanka said that it is willing to help Vietnam in law and international justice, the sectors of its strength, Tuoitrenews reported

First ever SL Buddhist temple established in Israel

A Buddhist temple has been established for the first time in Israel to cater to the spiritual needs of some 7,000 Sri Lankans in Israel, the External Affairs Ministry said

Secret White House Memo: JFK’s relations with Ceylon a ‘hot potato’

A secret White House memo sent to President John F. Kennedy, now declassified, stated relations with Ceylon had turned  from ‘bad to worse’ and urged the US leader to find a friendly resolution to save Srimavo Bandaranaike’s government from ‘left wing’ pressure in 1963, four months before the President’s assassination.

Cyclonic storm ‘Lehar’ over Bay of Bengal

The Meteorological Department said the severe cyclonic storm ‘Lehar’ remained more or less stationary over the Bay of Bengal but would not have a direct impact on Sri Lanka

Traveller’s cheques no more

The Sri Lanka Banks’ Association (SLBA) yesterday said the issuance of traveller’s cheques has been stopped with immediate effect

Earliest 'shrine' uncovered at Buddha's birthplace

Archaeologists digging at Buddha's birthplace have uncovered remains of the earliest ever "Buddhist shrine". They unearthed a 6th Century BC timber structure buried within the Maya Devi Temple at Lumbini in Nepal

SL raises concern over Sethu project

With the court case on the Sethusamudram project being listed to be taken up in court in India today, the government of Sri Lanka raised its concerns on it both in terms of adverse environmental impacts and the possible damage on Ram Sethu, a sacred symbol which united India and Sri Lanka in the context of culture and legend

SL Customs to keep close eye

Investigations are underway to find out how the arrested 56 Sri Lankans had smuggled gold to India from Sri Lanka, Customs spokesman Leslie Gamini said

Chinese delegation here

A visiting Chinese delegation headed by Human Resources and Social Security Vice Minister Yang Shiqiu met Sri Lankan Senior Minister for Human Resources D.E.W. Gunasekara today at his Ministry. The delegations engaged in a discussion on Human Resource Development. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana.

Video: Gotabaya at Galle Dialogue

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa seen here sharing a light moment with former Chief of Staff of the Indian Navy Admiral Suresh Mehta on the sidelines of the Galle Dialogue Maritime Conference organized by the Sri Lanka Navy.Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Principal nabbed over alleged sexual abuse of 14 students

The Principal of a Tamil School in Haputale has been arrested over alleged sexual harassment involving 14 students, Haputale police said

More unauthorised structures removed

Unauthorised structures along the railway line opposite the Castle Lane have been removed by the Colombo Urban Development Authority (UDA) today. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

CCTV to monitor bus services

Steps were being taken to network the Private Transport Services Ministry, the National Transport Commission and the Bastian Mawatha Bus Station through a CCTV camera system, the Private Transport Services Ministry said

World Science Day 2013

World Science Day 2013 Schools Programme on the theme “Lifestyle and Health” was held today at the BMICH with the participation of Technology, Research and Atomic Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka. Pix by Samantha Perera

Statue unveiled

The statue of former Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh was unveiled today by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the deputy prime minister of Vietnam Pham Binh Minh at the Colombo public library. Ho Chi Minh was a Vietnamese communist revolutionary leader who was the president of the Vietnam from 1945 to 1969. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

No need to change SL foreign policy: Gota

Refering to relations with China and India, Sri Lanka said today there was no reason to change its current non-aligned foreign policy

Punishment transfer for the 23 police officers: PM

The 23 police officers, who raided the Casino at the Salaka building, were transferred on the basis that they were not carrying out their duties in a satisfactory manner and not on the basis of any influence, Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne informed Parliament today

Glorifying LTTE prohibited by law

The government said today any attempt to promote or glorify the LTTE either directly or indirectly even under the cover of media freedom was illegal and violators would face prosecution in the courts of law.

SL needs more naval assets: Gota

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa today said that Sri Lanka must obtain naval assets that can operate further away from shore, for surveillance operations and to carry out patrolling in blue waters and it already sought for the procurement of such assets from wealthier nations

56 Lankans held for smuggling gold

The long-suspected international gold smuggling racket centred on the Colombo-Kochi-Chennai axis was dramatically confirmed on Sunday, when the air intelligence unit of Cochin International Airport apprehended two groups of Sri Lankan nationals who arrived in the city with around 11 kg of gold ornaments worth more than Rs 3 crore.

I am like our President-Mervyn

I am like our President. He works for the country, overcoming all difficulties and obstacles. I am not afraid of my rivals. I will continue to work like King Parakkramabahu the Great, Minister Mervyn Silva said.

Zero tariff for 10 categories of Indian imports

Despite the adverse impact on local industries, the Government has allowed tariff-free imports on ten categories of Indian goods, which had hitherto remained in the negative list under the Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement, Daily Mirror learns.

Chinese national allegedly violating liquor law discharged

While discharging a Chinese national from a case filed against him that he allegedly sold seven bottles of beer on the Ramazan Festival Day, the Colombo Fort Magistrate observed that the police cannot proceed with the case

Indian Navy Chief in SL

Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, Admiral DK Joshi arrived in Sri Lanka today to attend the Galle Dialogue-2013 to be held in Galle from tomorrow (25) and on Tuesday, the navy said. Pictures

War heroes remembered

The Wanni Security Forces Headquarters held its 15th commemoration ceremony on Saturday with the participation of Wanni Commander Boniface Perera. Special parades, religious activities and alms-giving were held.

The Mapila couldn’t have got in on its own: Harin

The Mapila (Barnes Cat Snake) which was found inside the Opposition Leader’s office in the parliamentary complex ON Budget Day may have been dumped there by someone intending to harm him, UNP Badulla District parliamentarian Harin Fernando said.

Five Russian naval ships in Colombo

Five Russian naval ships of the Pacific Fleet arrived at the Port of Colombo today for replenishment and crews’ relaxation. The ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions on their arrival.