Bollywood stars in Colombo

Bollywood stars Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma share a light moment during a news conference, at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo. It was held to inform the media about the production of the upcoming Bollywood movie Bombay Velvet. Pix by Manoj Rathnayake

One lane on the Kelani Bridge closed

The lane leading to Kandy on the new Kelani Bridge on the Colombo-Kandy road would be closed temporarily from tonight till tomorrow morning due to renovation work, the police said

Facebook is a bummer, study says

Don't press the like button: Facebook is a bummer that makes us feel worse about our lives, according to new research.

Lankan student wins top award in UK

A Sri Lankan student, in Bolton, United Kingdom has been awarded the top accolade at a high-profile international conference in Bolton.

Court orders release of 8 Indian fishermen

A court in Sri Lanka on Friday ordered the release of eight Indian fishermen, who were taken into custody by naval personnel of the island nation on June 15 for allegedly crossing the International Martime Boundary Line.

A first from Sri Lanka

Nadeeka L. Babaranda Liyanage of Sri Lanka competes in the women's javelin throw qualifying round during the IAAF World Athletics Championships at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow today (August 16) 2013. REUTERS

Video: Punish Weliweriya perpetrators to secure Army’s goodwill

UNP parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera said those who were responsible for the Weliweriya killings must be punished so as to secure the goodwill of the security forces that was lost because of the Weliweriya controversy

Enjoining order on all Fonterra products

The Gampaha District Court today issued an enjoining order preventing the sale and distribution of all Fonterra products in Sri Lanka. The order was issued in a case filed by the Government Nursing Officers Association.

No protests near Munneswaram Devalaya

The Chilaw Additional District Judge has ordered that no demonstrations or protest marches could be carried out near the Munneswaram Devalaya in Chilaw between August 13 and 22

Chinese woman arrested at BIA

A 35-year-old Chinese woman was arrested at the BIA while attempting to smuggle out gems worth Rs.4 million to Beijing, this morning, Customs Media Spokesperson Leslie Gamini said.

CHOGM 2013: Country representatives visit SL

More than 70 representatives from 15 Commonwealth countries are currently in Sri Lanka on an advance visit to make preparations for their respective delegations for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2013, the Task Force Secretariat for CHOGM 2013 said in a media

New law to prohibit publications defamatory of the major religions

The Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs Ministry is to introduce a new law seeking action against publications, either in print or online, that defames the original teachings and traditions of the major religions, officials said yesterday

Court orders removal of sign board

Pelassa Magistrate Namal Perera ordered the Moulavi of the Paragahadeniya Grand Mosque in Mawathagama and the Road Development Authority yesterday, to remove the sign board erected in front of the Mawathagama Paragahadeniya Mosque, which reads, ‘Mosque ahead- keep silence’, within 14 days.

Army report on Rathupaswala on Aug 21

The date of submission of the preliminary report of the committee appointed by Army Commander Daya Ratnayake to investigate the events that took place in Rathupaswala on August 1, has now postponed to August 21, informed sources said.

SL umpire Ponnadurai dies, aged 78

Former test and one-day international umpire Selliah Ponnadurai has died at the age of 78, Sri Lanka Cricket said on Thursday. Ponnadurai officiated in the country's maiden test victory over India in 1985

Launch of the new Cayman

Sri Lanka’s official Porsche importers today launched new the Cayman at the Kingsbury hotel in Colombo. As the third generation Cayman was unveiled, its two predecessor models were also displayed. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Ian Botham on his charity walk

Former England cricket player Ian Botham smiles during a news conference about his charity walk in Sri Lanka this evening. Ian Botham is in Colombo to announce details of his epic walk for charity across Sri Lanka, from Mankulum in the north to Seenigama in the south. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

National Crafts Festival in Colombo

The National Handicrafts Festival “SHILPA 2013” organised by the National Crafts Council, was declared opened by Economics Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa this evening at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre. This National Crafts Festival will be held till August 19 from 10 am to 9 pm daily. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Pillay to make field visits to N/E

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, who will make an official visit to Sri Lanka from August 25 to 31, on the invitation extended by the Sri Lankan Government, will undertake field visits to the North and East of the country, her spokesperson Rupert Colville said

Video: Assumes duties

Major General A.K.S. Perera assumed duties as the Commander of the Security Forces Headquarters (Western) today at Panagoda Army cantonment. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

'Kotiya Sunil' arrested

Heroin dealer Kotiya Sunil had been arrested with 33 packets of heroin this morning at his residence in Wellawatte by the Wellawatte Police anti-vice squad.

Traffic Jam at Kelaniya

Heavy traffic is reported in Peliyagoda and surrounding areas as one lane of the new Kelaniya Bridge was closed due to the extension of the Katunayake-Colombo Expressway

India will secure rights over Katchatheevu: Jayalalithaa

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa today hoped that India will soon regain its rights over the Katchatheevu island that was ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974

Jermaine Jackson visits MR

Jermaine Jackson, member of The Jackson 5 and brother of pop icon Michal Jackson met President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the President’s House last evening. Mr. Jackson was visiting Sri Lanka on the invitation of MP Namal Rajapaksa. President’s media

Teacher damages mosque board

A Muslim school teacher has been arrested for damaging the board of the mosque in Paragahadeniya in Mawathagama in Kurunegala district

Lankan detained in Cyprus

Migrant support group KISA on Wednesday called for the release of a Sri Lankan man who has lived, worked and raised his children in Cyprus with his wife for the past 20 years but who has been detained for living on the island illegally

Video: Gotabaya to meet Navi Pillay

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa will meet the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navaneetham Pillai to brief her on the security situation in the country and on accountability when she arrives in the island, said Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Jagath Jayasuriya ???

Video: Four professors in London allegedly to support Tigers

At the Security Council meeting today, the State Intelligence Service (SIS) informed that four professors from local universities are in London on the invitation of the Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE).

Video: Protest in Fort

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe walks through a sea of protestors gathered to demand justice over the murders in Weliveriya and the alleged law breakers in Grandpass. The protest held opposite the Fort railway station caused heavy traffic around the countrys economic hub Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Commissioners appointed to investigate into missing persons

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has appointed three members to the Commission tasked with investigating cases of persons who went missing from the Northern and Eastern Provinces during the war, Presidential Spokesman and International Media Unit said today