Murali is right to say that- Cameron

British Prime Minister David Cameron has said Sri Lanka’s former cricketing star Muttiah Muralitharan was right in saying that as a proud Sri Lankan he was keen to paint a fair picture of Sri Lanka

Video: Villagers in a tussle with STF

Police riot squad fired tear gas to disperse villagers who were protesting along the Ampara - Kalmunai Road over a dispute with the STF. Pix by Kumara C. Liyanaarachchi, Wasantha Chandrapala

Video: UNP to probe alleged assault on BBS monks

The United National Party (UNP) said today it would investigate the alleged assault on some Buddhist monks by UNP supporters during a protest carried out by the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Organisation outside Sirikotha on November 14

Video: Ampara tense as police fire tear gas

A tense situation is reported to have arisen along the Ampara - Kalmunai road after police riot squad fired tear gas on protesting villagers in order to disperse them a short while ago

Three nabbed for prostitution at ‘Guest House’

Three suspects were arrested on charges of operating a brothel under the guise of a Guest House at Pagoda Road, Nugegoda on Sunday, Walana Police Crime Division said

Two airmen killed

Two Air Force personnel attached to the Piduruthalagala Air force base were killed in a shoot out between them this morning, police said. Accordingly, one airman shot himself after killing the other airman allegedly over a personal dispute

C’wealth-assisted national HR inquiry

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has decided to conduct a national inquiry into the alleged human rights violations in Sri Lanka with technical assistance of Commonwealth Secretariat, sources said yesterday

High class gambling den raided again

Nine people were arrested by the police when a high class gambling den run at Union Place, near the Town Hall was raided again yesterday evening

Cameron urged to probe Tory donor's links to SL

British Prime Minister David Cameron has been urged to investigate why the Tory Party took over £420,000 from the telecoms group Lycamobile, which has close links to Sri Lanka's controversial President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

President visits Gangaramaya temple

President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited Gangaramaya temple this evening and engaged in religious observances to mark his 68th birthday. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: Defence Secretary donates house

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa today donated a house to a low income family in Madiwela under a project of the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Audio: CBK refuses to comment on SL foreign policy

Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga said today she did not want to comment on the foreign policy of the present government and insisted that there were no allegations of human rights abuses “when my government was in office”

3 killed in three-wheeler-tipper collision

Three people were killed in a collision between a three-wheeler and a tipper lorry at Uragasmanghandiya in Elpitiya on the Aluthgama Road this evening, police said

Kenya refutes Cameron's threat over SL

Kenyan Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Amina Mohamed said Saturday that no country can import stability from outside, and there will be nothing better than homegrown solutions to a country's own problems

China asks SL to protect and promote human rights

In a surprise move, China today asked Sri Lanka to "make efforts to protect and promote human rights", backing calls by India, Britain and other countries at the CHOGM summit in Colombo to address allegations of rights abuses against the country's minority Tamils. 

Elephants take them for a ride

Thirty three French beauties competing in the Miss France 2014 pageant are in Sri Lanka as part of a pre-pageant tour. They are seen riding on an elephant at the Cinnamon Lodge Hotel in Habarana. Pix by Manoj Ratnayake

Video: UNP says no to Cameron’s call for int’l inquiry

The main opposition United National Party (UNP) said today it opposed the British Prime Minister’s call for an international inquiry into alleged war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan Army.

Immigration officials warned C-4 crew prior to departure

Immigration and Emigration Department Chief Chulananda Perera today admitted that he ordered six officials of the department to visit the hotel where the Channel 4 crew were staying and warn them against acting beyond the conditions laid down in their visas.

No political influence in transfer of 23 Police officers: Ministry

The Law and Order Ministry said the branch handling police transfers was not aware of the raid carried out on a Colombo 7 Casino Den and insisted that the recent transfer of the 23 police personnel attached to the Organised Crime Division was not based on political influence.

Mistaken identity leads to demonstration

A demonstration is currently underway on the Kalmunai- Akkaraipathu Road by residents of Nindavur after a showdown late last night between the residents of the village and the Police Special Task Force.Pictures

Schools Closed for CHOGM to be re opened on Wednesday

The Ministry of Education said that 34 schools which were closed due to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) would re-open on Wednesday, 20th November.

Three days leave for CHOGM cops

Inspector General Police, N. K. Illangakoon has granted special leave of three days to all police officers who carried out special duties during CHOGM, summit.

Had Manmohan come, he would have run the show: Basil

While the Sri Lankan government has so far given the impression that it does not take offence to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh skipping the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Sri Lanka’s Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said on Sunday that he was disappointed with Dr. Singh’s absence.

City hotel occupancy far below expectations

The average occupancy rates of the hotels in Colombo remained far below expectations during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2013, according to the Colombo City Hotels Association Chairman M. Shanthi kumar.

What applies to SL, applies to India too-Sikh leader

Commenting on British PM David Cameron’s ‘hard talk’ with Mahinda Rajapaksa asking him to ensure credible, transparent and independent inquiry into alleged war crimes by March 2014 or face a UN investigation, the Dal Khalsa said what applies to Sri Lanka, applies to India too.

Canada says SL Tamils remain fearful

The Harper government says Sri Lanka's Tamil minority continues to be fearful of the country's leadership, as a controversial Commonwealth summit wrapped there Sunday.

A warm birthday at Nuwara Eliya

Prince Charles visited the 172-year-old Mackwoods Tea Factory at Labukale in Nuwara Eliya, yesterday and celebrated his 65th Birthday.  He was welcomed by the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in United Kingdom Dr. Chris Nonis. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Animals harassed in the name of CHOGM

Animals being held captive at the mini-zoo created in Battaramulla as part of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) pageantry are reportedly being harmed and subjected to stressful conditions that are adverse to their health

Curtain Call

President Mahinda Rajapaksa looks on as Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma walks in to address the concluding news conference of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held at the BMICH today. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana 

Video: British created Tamil issue in SL: JHU

While denouncing the British Prime Minister’s call for an international inquiry into alleged war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan Army during the civil war that ended in 2009, the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) today said the British were responsible for creating the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka.