Iranian arrested for spraying perfume on monk

An Iranian working at the Uma Oya Project in Wellawaya was arrested on charges of having sprayed perfume on the Rakhkhithakanda Raja Maha Viharaya Chief Incumbent’s face yesterday, the Police said.

Maithri is UPFA Chairman

President Maithripala Sirisena has been appointed as the Chairman of the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), a party official said today.

Video: Vigneswaran hits out at Ranil

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Jaffna, the Chief Minister of Tamil-majority region in Sri Lanka hit out at Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe for his controversial comments on shooting trespassing Indian fishermen.

Two drown in Kurunegala

A seven year-old girl and a 31 year old man died and another person was hospitalized when they drowned while bathing in Kanapaddan Wewa, Polpithigama yesterday evening, Police said.

MR meets Modi

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday evening.

​Modi visits Jaffna,seeks respect for all citizens in SL

Making a historic visit to a region once ravaged by strife, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called for equitable development and respect for all citizens in Sri Lanka, seen as an oblique reference to Tamils who had suffered during the war between the LTTE and forces. 

​One-way traffic plan on Galle road and Duplication road

A one-way traffic plan will be implemented with effect from 9 am tomorrow (15) along certain parts of the Galle Road and the Duplication road, the Police said. 

Modi flags off Talaimannar train service

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today flagged off a train service at the north-western Sri Lankan town of Talaimannar – the closest point to India – restored after decades of civil war, completing the reconstruction of the entire Northern Province Railway Line.

13 kgs of heroin found in prawn farm

About 13 kilos of heroin was detected by the Police hidden in a prawn farm in Mundalama last night.

Two legs found in a canal in Dematagoda

Two amputated legs believed to be of a man were found in a canal at Siridhamma Mavatha in Dematagoda this morning, the Police said.

Video: Be patient with SL govt.: Modi tells TNA

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Sri Lanka’s Tamils to be patient with the new government in Colombo, The Hindu reported.

Lanka anticipating new governing system: PM

Sri Lanka is envisaging a new governing system based on cooperation of all political parties, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday.

Ex-Maldives President sentenced to 13 years in prison

Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed has been found guilty of terrorism and sentenced to 13 years in prison for the military’s detention of Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed in January 2012.

MiG airplane purchases to be probed

Financial misappropriations that had allegedly been committed during the purchase of four MiG airplanes from Ukraine in 2006, is being probed by the newly established Police Financial Fraud Investigation Division, Police said.

No NEC decision to arrest Gota: Anura

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) Leader and National Executive Council (NEC) member Anura Kumara Dissanayake today said the Council had not taken any decision ‘in his presence’ to arrest former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Nandana Gunatilaka to contest on UNP ticket

Former Panadura Mayor Nandana Gunatilaka said today he would contest the upcoming general election on the UNP ticket.

Mahinda to meet Modi

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa is due to meet visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today.

Bird-flu like ailment spreading in South

Health authorities in the south are perturbed that an unidentified ailment similar to Bird Flu (Avian Influenza) is spreading in the Hambantota and Tissamaharama areas. 

‘Ali Roshan’ arrested by CID

Nirad Roshan alias ‘Ali Roshan’ had been arrested yesterday by the CID on the charges of keeping elephants after obtaining fake licenses, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said today.

Going beyond 13-A will expedite reconciliation: Modi

Visiting Indian prime Minister Narendra Modi today pledged his support for Sri Lanka`s reconciliation process and said it could be expedited by implementing 13th Amendment and going beyond.

Mahela joins Sussex for T20 Blast

Sussex have signed veteran Sri Lanka batsman Mahela Jayawardene for the first half of their T20 Blast campaign.

Ex-brigadier sentenced to death

Former brigadier Chandana Priyantha was today sentenced to death by Gampaha High Court Judge Piyaseeli Mathurata after he was found guilty of having killed his wife Thejangani Rupasinghe, a mother of two children, in 2007 at Makola North in Sapugaskanda.

Modi assures on-arrival visas to Lankans

The visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced that beginning from the National New Year on April 14, India would grant visas to Sri Lankan tourists on arrival.

Traffic restrictions for Modi’s visit

Vehicular movement will be restricted between 4.30 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. today along the road leading to Galle Face from the Sri Jayewardenepura Parliament via the Polduwa, Ayurveda Junction, D.S. Junction, Nelum Pokuna, Kollupitiya Junction and Galle Road under the special traffic arrangements for the Indian Premier’s visit, Police said.

HR situ in SL continued to be of concern in 2014-UK

While claiming that the human rights situation in Sri Lanka continued to be of concern in 2014, with little overall improvement, the UK said that it remained concerned over a number of issues, including restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, restrictions faced by minority Tamils in formerly conflict-affected areas in the north and east.

​MR says India’s RAW rallied opposition to his presidency

Claiming that the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of India conspired with “Western agencies” CIA and MI-6 to rally the opposition led by President Maithripala Sirisena against his presidency, Sri Lanka’s former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says he does not, however, believe Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the government was responsible.

Lankan jailed for molesting girl on flight to Dubai

A drunken Sri Lankan passenger has been jailed for one year for molesting a sleeping female teenager on a Dubai-bound flight.

US welcomes release of Jayakumari

The US government has welcomed the release of Balendran Jayakumari by the Sri Lanka's new government.

Modi arrives

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Sri Lanka early this morning and he was welcomed by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

Video: If this is ‘Yahapalanaya,’ may the gods have mercy on us – MR

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says if this is ‘Yahapalanaya’ may the gods have mercy on us.