MR tried to protect himself-Spokesman

A video showing an incident that occurred at a UPFA election rally held in Akuressa yesterday attended by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has started going viral in the internet.

Ship with body diverted to Colombo Port

The ship, on which an Indian is reported to have committed suicide, was asked to berth at the Colombo Port so that the body could be referred to a postmortem examination, Police said.

45 injured in accident

At least 45 passengers were injured after two buses collided head on at Salawa in Kosgama on the Colombo-Avissawella Road this morning, Police said.

Won't arrest politicians till elections over- FCID

The Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division will not arrest any person who is suspected to have committed grave financial crimes, if he is contesting the forthcoming general elections,until the elections of August 17 are over, as such arrests may prejudice the voters against them or their parties, a senior officer said.

Detained Lankan close aide of Prabhakaran: Police

One of the two Sri Lankan Tamils arrested last night along with communication gadgets and cyanide in the district has been identified as Krishnakumar, a close associate of slain LTTE supremo V Prabhakaran, police said today.

Video: Govt. has given less priority for national security: Gota

Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said today the new government has given less priority for national security which was crucial for the development process in the country.

Hooters, liquor, glass bottles banned at SL-Pakistan ODI

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) today banned hooters, liquor, glass bottles, sharp objects lighters and match boxes from being taken into the stadium during tomorrow’s ODI match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Video: Probe source of funding to Muslim extremists: BBS

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) today urged the government to investigate the alleged funds that were coming to Muslim extremists and expose them to the country.

Premadasa Stadium: Security mesh to enclose block C, D

A security mesh will be installed at the R. Premadasa Stadium enclosing block C and D as a measure to prevent objects being thrown into or out of the stadium, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said today.

Three army personnel arrested in white van

Three army personnel in civvies and travelling in a white van with fake number plate were arrested last night in Mirihana, Police said.

Lankan ISIS militant: Police probe based on NIC

Police are checking the accuracy of social media and foreign news reports about a Sri Lankan ISIS militant reportedly killed in a Syrian airstrike.

We are here to observe; not to teach democracy: EUEOM

European Union Election Observation Mission’s (EUEOM) Chief Observer to Sri Lanka, Cristian Preda said today their objective was to observe the election and not to teach democracy.

Video: Akila challenges MR for a public debate

UNFGG Kurunegala District candidate Akila Viraj Kariyawasam today challenged UPFA rival in the District former President Mahinda Rajapaksa for a public debate.

Solangaarachchi appointed as Awissawella SLFP organiser

Former Chairman of the Kotikawatte-Mulleriyawa Pradeshiya Sabha Prasanna Solangaarachchi has been appointed as the Awissawella SLFP organiser by President Maithripala Sirisena.

Marine Drive Wellawatte exit lane closed for repairs

The Marine Drive exit lane at Wellawatte leading from E.A. Cooray Lane to Vivekananda Mawatha will be closed today and tomorrow for reconstruction work, police said.

Sajin Vass re-remanded

Former UPFA MP Sajin Vass Gunawardena was further remanded till August 4 by Colombo Fort Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage today in connection with allegedly misusing 22 vehicles belonging to the Presidential Secretariat.

Lankans among those seeking Swiss asylum

Applications from Sri Lanka, Eritrea, Syria and Somalia seeking asylum in Switzerland had increased during the first six months of this year, Swiss media reported.

Bus topples; 29 injured

At least 29 passengers including 20 students were injured after the bus they were travelling toppled into a paddy field at Dulpitiya on the Dikpitiya Road in Aranayaka this morning.

Ex-LTTE cadre held, cyanide capsules seized

Police arrested a former militant of the proscribed LTTE and seized 75 cyanide capsules, 300 gm of cyanide, four Global Positioning System sets and seven mobile phones at coastal Uchipulli, near Rameswaram on Monday.

Cabinet grants extension for Rtd. DIG

The Cabinet has granted the approval for the extension of former DIG Indu Karunaratne five months after he retired from service, Public Order and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunga said today.

Wele Suda’s relative ‘Kudu Ukkuwa’ arrested

Moratuwa Police today arrested big-time heroin smuggler ‘Kudu Ukkuwa’. The 29-year-old resident of Dandeniyawaththa, Katubedda was found to be a close relative and long-time accomplice of heroin kingpin Samantha Kumara alias Wele Suda.

Video: PM influencing FCID during election campaign: Susil

UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha today said the Prime Minister headed Parliamentary Sub-Committee was influencing the harassment of political opponents through the Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) during the election campaign period.

Body of 3-year-old child found

The body the 3-year-old girl child went missing in Uruthirapuram, Kilinochchi a month ago had been found last night, the Police said.  

Mohamed Shiyam murder case fixed for Aug. 3

The Colombo High Court today fixed the case of businessman Mohamed Shiyam’s murder for submission and be heard on a day to day basis from August 3 afterwards before a trial at bar.

Will seize the mace if MR not made PM: Salinda

UPFA Kurunegala District candidate Salinda Dissanayake today said their team would run around Parliament carrying the Mace if the UPFA won the Parliamentary elections but former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was not appointed Prime Minister.

Premadasa Stadium clash: Four arrested

Four spectators had been arrested by the Maligawattha Police in connection with the clash between two groups of spectators at the R. Premadasa Stadium (RPS) in Keththarama last night, the Police said today.

SL and Indian fishermen want resumption of dialogue

Leaders of Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen have called for a resumption of the conciliatory dialogue which has been deadlocked since April last.

Prasanna, wife at FCID

Western Provincial Council Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga and his wife Maureen arrived at the Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) this morning to give a statement over a land deal.

Japanese naval ships arrive at Colombo port

Two Japanese naval ships arrived at the Colombo Port yesterday on a goodwill and supply visit. The two ships, ‘Akizuki’ and ‘Sawagiri’, were welcome by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions. Japanese Embassy officials were also present at the occasion.

Lankan held in Tiruchi for smuggling gold

A Sri Lankan national was arrested by the Customs authorities at the international airport here on Sunday after he was found smuggling a little over one kg of gold in various shapes in the rectum.