Lot of work to be done for SL-Biswal

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal, who just concluded her two-day visit to Sri Lanka, said there was a lot of work to be done for Sri Lanka to pursue a future that is peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous.

Four killed in train-jeep collision

At least four people were killed when a jeep collided with a train travelling from Matara to Vavuniya at the Batuwatte Railway Crossing in Ragama, a short while ago.

Paris bound SriLankan flight diverted to Tehran

SriLankan Airline flight UL563 bound for Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris from Bandaranaike International airport Colombo was diverted to Tehran Khomeini International Airport, Iran for an urgent medical emergency of a passenger.

Sisira passes away

Veteran vocalist and musician Sisira Senaratne passed away a short while ago, family sources said.

Queen wishes for National Day

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth today extended her wishes to President Maithripala Sirisena and Sri Lankans in view of the country’s 67th Independence Day.

Body of baby girl found

The body of one year and nine months old baby girl went missing last night in Anguruwathota was found this morning from a river by her home, the police said.

Video: Nine dead as plane crashes into Taipei river

At least nine people have died after a Taiwanese TransAsia Airways plane clipped a bridge and crashed into a river near the Taipei.

Maithri speaks of reconciliation

President Maithripala Sirisena today stressed the need to build genuine unity among all communities of the country after the physical defeat of terrorism in 2009 and the necessity to work towards the eradication of poverty and introducing Constitutional reforms to give effect to establish a truly democratic Sri Lanka.

Modi wishes SL on its Independence Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday wished Sri Lanka on the its 67th Independence Day.

Xi congratulates SL on 67th National Day

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday sent a congratulatory message to his Sri Lanka counterpart Maithripala Sirisena to mark the 67th anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

“Let us build a country where Good Governance prevails”

The 67th anniversary of our Independence is of special significance as it sees the launch of a new era of ‘Good Governance’ in the country.This comes with a new commitment towards the unity of our people, to safeguard freedom and democratic rights, and proceed to a future that moves further away from the re-emerging forces of colonialism.

National Oil Company to oversee oil/gas exploration

The Power and Energy Ministry is to set up a National Oil Company (NOC) as a private–public partnership venture to oversee the offshore gas and oil exploration in Sri Lanka, Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said yesterday.

China to send special envoy

The Chinese Government is expected to send a special envoy to Sri Lanka soon for discussions on bilateral matters with the new Government of President Maitripala Sirisena, Foreign Affairs Ministry sources said yesterday.

Removing Mohan, reinstating Shirani null and void: Sarath N

Commenting on the controversial removal of Mohan Peiris from the post of Chief Justice and the reinstatement of Shirani Bandaranayake as CJ is null and void, former Chief Justice Sarath N Silva said yesterday.

EU ban suspended for six months

Fisheries State Minister Dilip Wedaarachchi said yesterday the European Union’s ban on the export of fisheries products from Sri Lanka had been suspended for six months.

Alleged corrupt deals of 20 ministers of previous regime

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) led Voice Against Corruption (VAC) is to lodge complaints with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption against 20 ministers and officials of the previous regime on Thursday.

Kandy-Mahiyangana Road impassable

Vehicular movement on the Kandy-Mahiyangana Road has come to a standstill due to slip of earth mounds, police said.

Priorities will be given to certain vehicles at Omanthai-military

While claiming that the Omanthai military checkpoint would be operate as usual, the military today said that the priority will be given for vehicles transporting vegetables and fruits and other fresh rations from and to the Northern region at the Omanthai security check point from yesterday.

India to help SL to trace billions stashed abroad

India will help Sri Lanka set up a finance intelligence unit (FIU)-like entity in the island nation at Colombo's request to trace more than $5 billion allegedly stashed overseas by the erstwhile Rajapaksa regime.

Kollupitiya OIC transferred to Mullaitivu

Kollupitiya Police OIC Chief Inspector V. W. Indrajith has been transferred to Mullaitivu Police Headquarters with effect from Monday on service requirements, Police said.

We’ll implement capital punishment if needed: Wijeyadasa

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said today the Government was prepared to implement capital punishment if it was necessary to prevent the increasing trend in crime in the country and stressed the need to expedite investigations and punish offenders without delay.

Police transfers from February 10

The transfer of some 10,000 police personnel earlier put on hold will come into effect from February 10, 2015, Police said.

10-year-old Saudi boy runs over Lankan expat

A 10-year-old Saudi boy was alleged to have run over and killed a Sri Lankan expat crossing a road in Abha, Saudi Arabia on Friday.

Efforts to free SL fishing vessels in India

The Fisheries Ministry is making efforts to release Sri Lankan fishing vessels and other equipment, which are in the custody of Indian authorities.

Minister gets tough on cricket officials

Sports Minister Navin Dissanayake cracked the whip for the first time on cricket officials issuing them strict guidelines on several internal matters yesterday at a meeting.

Oppn. protests Tissa’s arrests

The main opposition Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) today protested over the arrest of MP Tissa Attanayake without notifying Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa.

Qantas flight protest delays transfer of SL refugee

A Sri Lankan asylum seeker has been taken off a commercial flight from Melbourne to Darwin and his forced relocation postponed because of an onboard protest by other passengers.

16,000 SL refugee kids born in India stateless

About 16,000 children born to Sri Lankan refugees in India are stateless since they do not have Sri Lankan citizenship and enjoy a mere refugee status.

Video: JVP complains against SLC

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today lodged a complaint with the Bribery Commission against former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga and the Cricket Board on 25 incidents of allegations including misuse of Board positions and other frauds.

PS Chairman arrested for attacking RW’s convoy

Balapitiya Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Dayaratne De Silva was today arrested for allegedly attacking the then Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe's vehicle convoy during a visit to the area to assess the damage caused by adverse weather conditions at the time, the Police said.