SL maid sentenced to be stoned will return this week

The 45-year-old Sri Lankan woman whose death sentence by stoning for adultery, was commuted by the Saudi Arabian government last December, will return to Sri Lanka this week, the Foreign Employment Bureau (FEB) confirmed today.

BC summons Muzammil

National Freedom Front (NFF) Spokesman Muhammad Muzammil arrived at the Bribery Commission this morning to give a statement over several appointments he made while serving as a Working Director of the State Engineering Corporation (SEC).

Three killed in highway accidents

At least three people were killed and two others were injured in two separate accidents in Colombo-Katunayake Expressway and the Southern Expressway.

New model to administer loss making plantation companies

The government will introduce a new model to run the plantation companies soon, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.  

John Amaratunga hooted

Police had to escort the Minister of Land, Tourism and Christian Religious Affairs, John Amaratunga, when the people of the area hooted him on Saturday when he arrived to lay the foundation stone for a Tamil school at Olyyamulla in Wattala.

No VAT (Amendment) Bill before Budget

The government is unlikely to present the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill before the budget to be presented to Parliament on November 10, it is learnt.

Australia beat Sri Lanka by 2 wickets in 3rd ODI

Australia beat Sri Lanka to take a 2-1 lead in the five match One Day International series, at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium today.

Video: SLFP was snatched from me: MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa last evening said Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) which was headed by him until 2015 when he lost the Presidential Election, was forcibly snatched by his successor President Maithripala Sirisena.

Dilshan scores 42 in his final ODI

TM Dilshan today ended his ODI career after he was dismissed for 42 in the 3rd ODI against Australia at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, in a total score of 226

Fmr. Pres. Wijetunga’s daughter to enter politics?

Former President D.B. Wijetunga’s daughter Chithrani Kumari Wijetunga today said she would consider entering active politics if she receives a ‘formal’ invitation.

Army Colonel gives statement over wife’s gun attack

Army Lieutenant Colonel Pradeep Kumara Nettasinghe gave a statement to the Athurugiriya Police today over the shooting of his wife by an unidentified gang at Isurupura, Malabe in Athurugiriya yesterday night.

Indian Minister skips meeting with Malik

Indian Minister of State for Commerce, Nirmala Sitharaman, who was to visit Sri Lanka on August 25 for a short visit at the invitation of the Sri Lankan Minister of International Trade, Malik Samarawickrama, cancelled her visit on account of pressing engagements in New Delhi, reliable sources told Indian Express on Saturday.

US Navy vessel to visit SL

The USS Frank Cable (AS-40) vessel is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow for a routine refueling and port visit, US Embassy in Sri Lanka said.

Indian arrested with heroin at BIA

An Indian national was arrested with 838 grams of heroin at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning.

Health Min. investigates alleged sexual abuse at Kalubowila Hospital

Director General of Health Dr. Palitha Maheepala yesterday ordered the Director of the Colombo South Teaching Hospital to investigate the incident where a woman was allegedly sexually abused during a medical examination.

LeJ terrorists involved in SL cricket team attack killed

Four LeJ terrorists who were allegedly involved in the attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009 were shot dead by Pakistan police in the wee hours today in Lahore.

Army officer’s wife shot at in Athurugiryia

The wife of an Army Lieutenant Colonel was injured after she was shot by unidentified men at Isurupura, Malabe in Athurugiriya last night.

One killed, two injured in a clash in Maharagama

A 26-year-old man was killed and two persons were injured in a clash during a birthday party at Neelammahara Road, Maharagama last night, Police said.

Ranatunga bemoans Sri Lanka reliance on spin

Sri Lanka's heavy reliance on its spin bowlers threatens to undermine their chances at the next cricket World Cup on the faster pitches of England, according to former skipper Arjuna Ranatunga.

Severe weather advisory on strong winds

The Meteorology Department said today strong winds strengthening up to 60-70 kmph was expected in the Southern sea areas while fairly strong winds of 50-60 kmph could be expected over the island.

Elephant attack on van: Death toll rises to two

A 5-year-old child who was injured in the elephant attack on a van near Meeoya Bridge on the Puttalam-Anuradhapura Road early this morning succumbed to his injuries at the National Hospital, Colombo, Hospital sources said.

Maldives' opposition groups meet in SL to hatch plan against Abdulla Yameen

The Maldives' dissident former president met opposition groups in neighbouring Sri Lanka on Friday to hatch a plan to topple strongman president Abdulla Yameen, opposition sources told AFP.

Brothel raided in Wellawatte

Three women were arrested on charges of having run a brothel under the guise of an Ayurvedic massage parlour at Havelock Road in Wellawatte last night, Police said.

Two Iranian nationals arrested for theft in Wennappuwa

Two Iranian nationals who had stolen foreign currency worth nearly Rs. 600, 000 from a foreign currency exchange centre in Wennappuwa were arrested last night.

Curbing crime: PM to summon top cops to Temple Trees

In the wake of the latest abduction and murder of a Colombo businessman, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will summon senior police officers to Temple Trees next week to brief them on steps to be taken to curb crimes and drug trafficking.

Presidential Secretariat asks McKenzie for details on report

The Presidential Secretariat (PS) has requested the Australian-based Fairfax journalist Nick McKenzie for more information on the allegations which appeared in the Australian media implicating President Maithripala Sirisena.

Wild elephant attacks van: Man killed

A 39-year-old man was killed and ten others including two women injured when a wild elephant attacked a van near the Meeoya Bridge on the Puttalam-Anuradhapura Road early this morning, Police said.

Hotelier shot dead in Pilimathalawa

A 30-year-old hotelier was shot dead by two men arrived on a motorbike at a hotel in Pilimathalawa last night, Police said.

Govt. fast-tracks drafting of new Constitution

In its efforts towards reconciliation and transitional justice, the Government has fast-tracked the process of drafting the new Constitution, sources said yesterday.

Indian minister's SL visit postponed indefinitely

According to reports Indian Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s visit to Sri Lanka, scheduled for this week, has been postponed indefinitely.