‘Secure release of fishermen in Indian custody’

Relatives of Sri Lankan fishermen in the Indian custody today staged a hunger strike at the Negombo bus stand, police said.

Govt told tribunal LTTE still wants ‘greater Tamil Nadu’

While seeking to extend the ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government told a tribunal that the banned outfit nurtures an idea of “greater Tamil Nadu, which includes the state of Tamil Nadu, part of Kerala, part of Karnataka, part of Andhra Pradesh and northeastern provinces of Sri Lanka”.

R’pura Depot told to show receipts for release of buses

Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya has ordered officials of the Ratnapura Bus Depot to produce the cash receipts issued for the release of 25 buses to transport people to a political rally in Panadura today.

Kotte MC in crisis

The Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte Municipal Council has been plunged into a complex situation since this evening triggered by the cross over of four ruling UPFA members to the opposition, Municipal sources said.

Will not allow offenders to flee: Maithri

Common opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena said he would not allow those who faced allegations of corruption to leave the country, if he were elected to office in January.

Election monitors on way to SL

International election observers have started arriving in Sri Lanka in view of the January 8 presidential election, an official said today.

Two buried under earth mound

Two people were buried under an earth mound which collapsed on them while they were mining for gems in an abandoned house at Thiriwanaketiya in Ratnapura today.

Update: 5 escape from Sydney hostage-crisis building

Five people have fled from the Sydney cafe where a gunman took an unknown number of hostages at the height of Monday morning rush hour.

Kuttiarachchi backs MR

UNP Uva Provincial Councilor Janaka Tissa Kuttiarachchi has decided to support President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the upcoming presidential election.

MR expresses concern over Sydney hostage situation

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today expressed concerns over the hostage situation in Sydney and said Sri Lanka stands united with Australia in fighting terrorism.

Lankan accused of molesting 11-year-old girl in Dubai

A Sri Lankan clerk has been accused of sexually molesting an 11-year-old schoolgirl while she was present in a shop with her parents in Dubai.

Sydney siege: Hostages held in central cafe

Several people have been taken hostage by at least one armed man at a Lindt cafe in the centre of Sydney.

Terror suspect deported

A Sri Lankan national wanted in India for allegedly plotting terror strikes at American and Israeli consulates in the country has been deported by Malaysia to the island nation notwithstanding India’s plea for his extradition to unravel key aspects of the conspiracy.

Japanese advisor to help commission

President Mahinda Rajapaksa had appointed another international expert to advise the Presidential Commission to Investigate into Complaints Regarding Missing Persons (Commission) Chairman of the Commission retired High Court Judge Maxwel Paranagama said yesterday.

Will not allow to revert to bullock-cart era: MR

President Mahinda Rajapaske said he would not allow anyone to lead the people astray and to revert the country to the bullock–cart era.

Sinister move to get Tamils boycott poll: Champika

There was a sinister move by some local and international forces to change the mindset of the Tamil community in order to get them boycott the January Presidential election, Former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka charged today.

Oppn. wants digital screens removed

The common opposition today urged the Commissioner of Elections to remove all digital bill boards on roadsides and to halt the live coverage of election rallies attended by the ruling party candidate stating that these were illegal.

Russian team arrives in SL to probe into the plane crash

A team of Russian aviation experts has arrived in the country to assist in the investigations launched into the crash of the Antanov-32 (fixed wing) aircraft of Sri Lanka Air Force.

IGP could be sued for being a coward: BASL

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) stated that the Inspector General of Police and other police officers would be sued for being cowards unless they implement the country’s laws during the upcoming presidential election.

TNA to announce its stand on polls by end of the month

Sri Lankan Tamil politician and Member of Parliament Seenithambi Yogeswaran has said the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), an amalgamation of Tamil parties, will announce by this month-end its stand on the January 8 presidential elections.

Car topples into Beira Lake, five hospitalised

Five persons were hospitalised after their car toppled into the Beira Lake early this morning, the Police said.

Two men killed in Puttalam

One teenager and a 22-year old man had been killed after a lorry collided with their motorcycle head on outside the Zahira Collge on the Mannar Road in Puttalam last evening.

O/L candidates disturbed by election rallies

Candidates facing the ongoing 2015 O/L examination, have been severely inconvenienced as a result of the rallies and campaign meetings that are being held for the upcoming Presidential elections.

Sangakkara reaches his 20th ODI century

Kumar Sangakkara completed his 20th one-day international century to lead Sri Lanka to a healthy 292-7 in their sixth match being played against England in Pallekele.

Four Lankans held in India over credit card scam

The Central Crime Branch police in India has arrested a five-member gang, including four Sri Lankan Tamils, in Madipakkam for stealing credit and debit card data and producing cloned cards to swindle money from accounts of card holders in foreign countries.

Tissa withdraws oral questions

Former UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake had withdrawn some of the oral questions he had submitted to Parliament after his defection, it was reported yesterday.

MR never promised to abolish Executive Presidency: Susil

UPFA General Secretary and Minister Susil Premajayantha yesterday said President Mahinda Rajapaksa had never made a promise to abolish the Executive Presidency.

TN parties clash in Rajya Sabha over arrest of fishermen in SL

Members from various political parties in Tamil Nadu yesterday expressed concern in Rajya Sabha over arrest of Tamil fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy, an issue that saw a clash between DMK and AIADMK members.

Take action: UNP asks Polls Chief

The main opposition UNP today requested the Elections Commissioner to take the strongest possible action against those candidates or parties attempting to thwart the will of the people.

Injured airman loses his legs and hand

 Leading aircraftman LAC Chaturanga GKN, who was injured in the plane crash this morning, underwent an operation at the Colombo National Hospital, Hospital sources said.