Keheliya backs MR

Parliamentarian Keheliya Rambukwella today pledged to support former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, no matter which party he would contest from at the coming general elections.

Navy arrests 26 Indian fishermen

The Sri Lanka Navy arrested 26 Indian fishermen for allegedly poaching in Sri Lankan waters in Northern Point Pedro last night.

Rajitha’s son challenges MR

Health Minister Rajitha Senaratna’s son yesterday challenged former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to contest the coming general elections from Beliatta.  

Japan assures support to develop reconciliation in SL

While lauding Sri Lanka’s effort to building a nation where diversity, openness and tolerance are cherished, Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Fumio Kishida reiterated the continued support of Japanese Government to the ongoing process of peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.

Jellyfish ‘invade’ Polhena beach

Matara Police Lifeguard Unit has advised people planning to visit Polhena Beach to refrain from visiting the area until further notice due toan increase in jellyfish sightings.

SL hasn’t reviewed its foreign policy: MFA clarifies

Foreign Affairs Minister Mangala Samaraweera has not at any point during his interactions with the Japanese media, referred to a review of Sri Lanka's foreign policy relating to a specific country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced.

​Swedish Royal wedding officiated by SL born priest

A Sri Lankan born priest, Rev. Michael Bjerkhagen has officiated the Royal wedding between Prince Carl Philip - the only son of the Swedish King and Queen - and Miss Sofia Hellqvist. This is the second Swedish Royal wedding officiated by Rev. Bjerkhagen.

LTTE sympathizers, financial network still intact: US

Despite the military defeat of the LTTE at the hands of the Sri Lankan government in 2009, the terrorist organisation’s international network of sympathizers and financial support continues, US Department of State said yesterday.

Cop killed, 10 injured in accident

One police constable was killed and 10 others were injured after the van they were travelling plunged into a precipice at the 9th mile post on the Passara- Buttala Main Road early hours today, the police said.

SLFP committee decides on MR for PM post

The six-member committee appointed by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has unanimously decided to nominate former president Mahinda Rajapaksa as the party's prime ministerial candidate no matter what President Maitripala Sirinsena's views are on this matter, informed sources said.

Meters to be made mandatory for all 3-wheelers

Electronic taxi meters will be made mandatory for all three-wheelers soon, and steps will be taken to ensure that all meters are maintained at a proper standard.

OCH from Kaduwela to Kadawatha opening shifted till July

The opening of the second phase of the Colombo Outer Circular Highway (OCH) linking the Southern Expressway from Kaduwela to Kadawatha was postponed, Project Director Ms. T. S. H. Abewickrama said yesterday.

E-train from Veyangoda to Panadura

Cabinet has approved the construction of an electric train service between Veyangoda and Panadura, Internal Transport Minister Ranjith Maddumabandara today said.

I’m innocent: Udayanthi

Popular tele drama actress, Udayanthi Kulatunga who is alleged to have had financial dealings with drug king pin Wele Suda, said today that she was innocent and she did not know who Wele Suda was.

Contradictory reports on Matale mass grave site

The report of the Analytic Archaeological Laboratory in Florida in USA on Matale mass grave site was not acceptable and that it contradicted the earlier reports of Prof. Raj Somaduwa and the former JMO of the Matale Hospital, Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watawala informed the Matale Magistrate today.

Thirty-three hospitalized due to food poisoning

Thirty-three employees of a garment factory in the Katunayake Investment Promotion Zone (KEPZ) were admitted to the Minuwangoda Hospital today due to suspected food poisoning.

Ravi fixes date for debate

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake said today he was ready to take part in a debate on Tuesday over the economic policies adopted by the previous regime even with a representative of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa if he was reluctant to participate in the debate.

US encounters visa delays

The US Embassy said today the State Department’s Consular Affairs Bureau was experiencing some technical snags with its visa system and as such has requested visa applicants to monitor the website, http://srilanka.usembassy.gov/ or the US Embassy Facebook page for updates.  

Video: Commotion at Kaduwela MC

With the eruption of heated arguments among the ruling and Opposition members of the  Kaduwela Municipal Council, the sessions were adjourned restricting the day's session to just five minutes today.

Video: No bus fare hike this year - Minister

Internal Transport Minister Ranjith Maddumabandara said today the bus operators had agreed not to increase the annual bus fares in July as laid down in the National Bus Fare Policy.

UNP to go it alone at general election

The United National Party (UNP), the main constituent of the government has decided to contest the upcoming general election under its own steam, Plantation Minister Lakshman Kiriella said.

Video: SL to dilute dependence on China-Mangala

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera on Thursday said that the country will review its China-dependent foreign policy and boost ties with other nations.

DIGs of FCID, CID promoted

Two Police DIGs (Deputy Inspector General) have been promoted to the rank of Senior Deputy Inspector General as per a Cabinet decision to fill the vacancies in the Department, Police announced today.

Exposure to toxic gas kills four

Four persons including a woman were killed after they fell into a cesspit and were exposed to a poisonous gas in Parape, Rambukkana, the Police said.

Time to get some rest: Mahanayake to Gota

While praising former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa for the services he had rendered to the country, the Mahanayake of the Asgiriya Chapter, the Most Ven. Galagama Sri Aththadassi Thera, on Wednesday, expressed his satisfaction at the former's decision not to enter politics.

Duminda instilling fear: Hirunika

UPFA Western Provincial Councillor Hirunika Premachandra yesterday charged that MP Duminda Silva was indirectly coercing witnesses from coming forth to give evidence by making latent threats.

FCID to probe Manilal Fernando’s bank accounts

The Financial Crime Investigation Division (FCID) has obtained a court order from Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya to investigate the accounts of four private banks in Colombo over the alleged fraudulent dealings of Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) former Chairman of the Management Committee Manilal Fernando and Chief Executive Officer Chrishantha Perera committed during 2006 to 2014.

Case against Rajitha's son: Court focus on Probation Officer's conduct

Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya issued an order on the Western Province Probation and Child Care Commissioner to inquire on the alleged bias behaviour of the probation officer investigating the case involving Dinitha Aloka Ranasinghe who was allegedly abducted by Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne‘s son.

Maithri rejects concessions to MR at polls: Rajitha

President Maithripala Sirisena has flatly rejected to grant any concession to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the forthcoming election campaign, Cabinet spokesman and Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said today.

Former Dambulla mayor arrested

Former Mayor of Dambulla Municipal Council Jaliya Opatha was arrested today for allegedly mining and selling gravel worth over Rs. 1.3 million from a state land.