Video: Thousands throng Book Fair

Thousands of people thronged the BMICH to attend the Colombo International Book Fair that began yesterday. It will continue till September 22. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Former MP and diplomat Asitha Perera no more

Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Italy Asitha Perera passed away today following a cardiac arrest around 10 a.m. at a private hospital in Colombo.

MR to attend UN General Assembly

President Mahinda Rajapakse will participate in the General Assembly Sessions of the United Nations which will start during the weekend in New York, the state owned radio announced today.

MR with KP

President Mahinda Rajapaksa met former LTTE chief arms procurer Kumaran Pathmanathan (KP) in Kilinochchi yesterday, when the President visited the Sencholai children’s home located in the former rebel town. Pix by Sudath Silva

TNA spreading racism and separatism-Basil

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa said that the TNA is attempting to push Tamils in the North to vote for the by spreading racism and separatism.

Rain, rain ….

The heavy rains in the Central Province had caused many damages and many people had been inconvenienced.  The Security Forces Headquarters (Central) had deployed troops in relief activities. Pix by Army Media 

PCB shouldn't agree for India tri-series: ex-PCB chairman

Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Khalid Mehmood has advised the present PCB set-up against accepting any BCCI invitation to play a proposed tri-series with Sri Lanka in India later this year.

Four Indian drug companies banned

Four Indian drug supplying companies have been banned and blacklisted in Sri Lanka by the Health Ministry for supplying substandard drugs continuously, the Ministry said

Gold seized from Lankan flyers

A Sri Lankan couple, who had claimed that they had to journey to Chennai as they were undergoing fertility treatment at a specialty hospital in Vadapalani, were arrested for trying to enter the country with 585 gms of gold jewelers concealed on their persons

Easy for west to talk, to criticise us-MR

Dismissing allegations of poor human rights situation in Sri Lanka, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said a stable and powerful government is essential for the country's development and the western countries criticised him without "clear understanding".

Two Lankans caught off Kodiyakkarai

The Nagapattinam customs officials in India secured a Sri Lankan duo along with a stolen boat off the coast of Kodiyakkarai on Friday evening.

Yal Devi service resumed

President Mahinda Rajapaksa inaugurated the 'Yal Devi' railway service at Omanthai this morning. Rail services on the north-bound route resumed after 23 years. Pix courtesy President’s Media  

Intra-party clashes continue

At least seven people were hopitalised following a clash between two groups of supporters of SLFP candidates who are contesting for North Western Provincial Council Election early this morning

'Yal Devi' reaches Kilinochchi

President Mahinda Rajapaksa this morning inaugurated the 'Yal Devi' railway service at Omanthai travelling as its first passenger to the Kilinochchi railway station.

UAE praises SL’s role in protecting sea lanes

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) appreciated Sri Lanka’s role in protecting the security of sea-lanes in the Indian Ocean, and the significant contribution made by the Sri Lanka Navy in controlling people smuggling activities in these waters.

SL adopting new strategy-Jaya

While claiming that Sri Lankan government is adopting a new strategy by which it releases the Indian fishermen after long periods of detention but impound their boats, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa Friday urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take up with Sri Lanka the release of 97 Indian fishermen in custody there.

Narendra Modi revealed as BJP's PM candidate

India's main opposition party has named controversial politician Narendra Modi as its prime ministerial candidate for elections due next year.

Eight arrested with Prabhakaran posters

Jaffna Security Forces Commander Mahinda Hathurusinghe said today eight people were arrested at Kodikarmam in Jaffna on charges of having in their possession posters containing the picture of former LTTE leader Vellupillai Parabhakaran.

India cricketer Sreesanth guilty of spot-fixing

Test fast bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth and three other players have been found guilty of spot-fixing during the Indian Premier League by an internal probe conducted by the national cricket board, a report said on Friday.

Video: Getting ready for the book fair 2013

Preparations being made for the Colombo International Book fair to be launched tomorrow (14) at the BMICH. Pix by Nisal Baduge

TNT explosives found after 17 years

100 kilograms of TNT explosives were found today in a lorry which was seized by the Kotahena Police way back in 1996. The explosives were discovered when some boxes fell off the truck while it was being moved to another location. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Delhi gang rape: Four sentenced to death

An Indian court has sentenced four men to death for the gang rape and murder of a student in the capital Delhi

Video: 100Kgs of TNT explosives found after 17 years

100 kilograms of TNT explosives were found in a lorry which was seized by the Kotahena Police way back in 1996, police said.

Video: Nomination of kith and kin causing UPFA clashes

UNP parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne rejected claims made by the UPFA that the clashes among its candidates were to maintain the enthusiasm during the upcoming election because the opposition was too weak to politically challenge the UPFA

No sale of two brands of bottled Water

The Ministry of Health today decided to remove from the market two brands of bottled water -- ‘Amaron’ and ‘Ceylon Water’ because they were not registered

Watch out for rising water levels in Kelani River

The Disaster Management Centre warned people living in low lying areas of the Kelani River to be vigilant of the water in the river rising to flood level

CHOGM: SL happy over visit of British Premier

External Affairs Ministry Secretary K. Amunugama today said Sri Lanka was pleased with British Prime Minister David Cameron’s decision to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) to be held in Colombo in November.

Americans were very helpful-Gota


Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that the United States had given its fullest support to destroy LTTE’s floating armouries in the deep sea between 2006 and 2008.

Americans were very helpful-Gota

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that the United States given its fullest support to destroy LTTE’s floating armouries in the deep sea between 2006 and 2008

22 Lankans sent to Papua New Guinea

A group of 22 Sri Lankan nationals who arrived by boat to Australia were transferred to Papua New Guinea (PNG) on Thursday, the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) said.