42 Lankans back from Nepal

Sri Lanka Air Force C130 aircraft, which left for Nepal on Sunday (26) to bring back Sri Lankans in Nepal, arrived this afternoon carrying 42 Sri Lankans at around 2.00 p.m, the Air Force said.

Debate on 19A underway

The debate on the 19th Amendment is currently under way in Parliament with voting scheduled to be held this evening.

Kumarage now K’gama Devalaya Basnayaka Nilame

Kandy businessman D.G Kumarage was elected uncontested as the 11th Basnayaka Nilame of the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya this morning.

Basil gets further 3 months’ leave

Parliament today approved three more months of leave for UPFA MP and former minister Basil Rajapaksa.

Kerry will travel to SL on Saturday- State Dept.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Sri Lanka on Saturday to meet with its new president, Maithripala Sirisena, the State Department said, following years of strained relations between Washington and the country's previous government.

Lankan gets 7-year jail in robbery case

The Second Additional Assistant Sessions Court here on Monday convicted and sentenced a Sri Lankan Tamil to undergo seven-year imprisonment for robbed woman of a gold chain after attacking her in April 2013.

Alcohol, Casinos closed for Vesak

All liquor shops, casinos, betting centres and night clubs will be closed on May 3 and 4 in view of Vesak, the government said.

Four UPFA Uva PC members sacked

Four United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Uva Provincial Council members were sacked today from the party for their involvement in the power transfer in the Uva Provincial Council from the UPFA to United National Party (UNP).

​Indian fishermen engage in illegal acts in SL waters: India

In a stand that may not go down well in Tamil Nadu, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Monday told the Madras High Court that Indian fishermen allegedly indulge in various illegal acts such as smuggling and trawling in Sri Lankan waters resulting in action by the island nation's navy.

Deported Lankan returns to Switzerland

A Tamil asylum seeker who was sent back to his home country in 2013 and subsequently arrested has been allowed to return to Switzerland.

Video: MR says he will win if he contests

In an interview with Al Jazeera, former president Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that he would win if he contested at the next general election.

Four killed in jeep-train collision

Four people were killed and two others were injured when their jeep collided with a train travelling from Jaffna to Colombo at Sindupuram in Kilinochchi, a short while ago, police said.

Earthquake due to mankind’s destructive nature: Patali

Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka today said the Nepal earthquake was not an isolated incident but a result of destructive nature of mankind.

Militant involved in SL cricket team attack in Lahore killed

Three wanted Taliban terrorists, including one militant involved in the attack on Sri Lankan Cricket team in Lahore, were killed today by the Pakistan security forces during an operation near Lahore, officials said.

Satyagraha called off

The Satyagraha of the National Movement for Social Justice which was scheduled to be held at Independence Square today was called off following the assurance given by President Maithripala Sirisena that the 19th Amendment to the Constitution would be enacted.

Full-face helmets: stay order on ban extended

The Court of Appeal today extended the operation of the police advisory banning the use of face-covered helmets until May 19.

Video: Don’t bypass historic opportunity: President on 19A

In his address to Parliament prior to the debate on the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, President Maithripala Sirisena said he was the only President who had been so flexible and committed to reducing or curtailing the absolute powers of the executive presidency.

Protest to urge enactment of 19A

A protest march -- organsied by the civil society group Purawasi Balaya is currently underway near the parliament roundabout – to urge parliamentarians to enact the long-awaited 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

Sections related to media will be removed from 19A: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told the parliament today that sections related to media in the 19th Amendment to the Constitution would be removed.

BBS to be charged with defamation and trespassing

The Colombo Fort Magistrate today ordered the police to file charge sheets against Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Organisation General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera and several other Buddhist monks in connection with two cases filed against them.

Nepal earthquake: Death toll exceeds 3,000

At least 3,218 people are now known to have died in a massive earthquake which hit Nepal on Saturday, say officials.

New Parliament will meet in September: Ranil

Indicating the general election would be delayed, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinge yesterday said the new Parliament will meet for the first time in September this year.

Daya Alwis no more

Well-known actor Daya Alwis (72) who was undergoing treatment following an accident, has passed away this morning hospital.

Air Force C130 develops engine trouble in Nepal

A C130 plane belonging to the Sri Lanka Air Force, which carried emergency supplies, medical and relief workers to Nepal, developed engine trouble and was unable to return today.

Satyagraha urging the enactment of 19A

A satyagraha organised by a number of religious heads and headed by the Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, the head of National Movement for Social Justice, will be held tomorrow at Independence Square from 10.00 am. urging the enactment of the 19th Amendment, the Thera said.

Disaster Management Centre collects relief assistance

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has set up a special coordinating centre to collect relief assistance to be dispatched to earthquake-hit Nepal, officials said today.

I am unaware about such an incident - Namal

MP Namal Rajapaksa said that he was unaware about an incident where a man said to be a security officer of his was caught bearing a gun in the vicinity of President Maithripala Sirisena in Angunukolapelassa on Saturday (25).

CID to investigate the gun holder

A special investigation was launched by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) into an incident where a man said to be a security officer of MP Namal Rajapaksa was caught bearing a gun in the vicinity of President Maithripala Sirisena at the SLFP Hambantota district meeting held in Angunukolapelassa on Saturday (25).

JHU supports 19A & 20A

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) which earlier opposed the 19th Amendment to the Constitution had decided to extend full support for the 19th and 20th Amendments to the Constitution, party General Secretary Patali Champik`a Ranawaka said today at a media briefing held in Battaramulla.

Magnitude 6.7 aftershock hits Nepal

A powerful, magnitude 6.7 aftershock shook the Kathmandu area of Nepal today, a day after the massive earthquake devastated the region with more than 1,900 deaths and destroyed homes and infrastructure.