India’s NSA requests meeting with Maithripala

India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval who is due to arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow to attend a conference, has requested to meet common candidate Maithripala Sirisena during his visit to the country.

Foreign ​couple assaulted at a night-club

A Swiss couple who had been assaulted at a nightclub located in Cinnamon Gardens last night, has lodged a complaint with the Mirihana Police.

Navy rescues 3 Indian fishermen

At least three Indian fishermen were rescued by Navy off the seas in Madagal area in Jaffna last night, Navy Spokesman Kosala Warnakulasuriya said.

SL-born ISI spy gets 5-yr term in counterfeit Case

Sri Lankan national and suspected ISI agent, Zahir Hussain, whose arrest in April had led to the unearthing of a Pakistan spy network in India, was convicted for five years by a special court for smuggling counterfeit currency.

I'm the only one who can abolish executive presidency: MR

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today said only he could abolish the Executive Presidency because his government already possessed the two-thirds majority in Parliament.

Body found floating on Beira Lake

A body of an unidentified male aged between 50 and 55 years was found floating on the Beira Lake near the Floating Market at Bastian Mawatha in Pettah this morning, police said.

Canadian minister urges MP Rathika to apoligise for honouring LTTE

Canada’s public safety minister Steven Blaney said Thursday he was “shocked and appalled” after a New Democratic Party MP rose in the House of Commons to commemorate Tamil Heroes Day, which honours fallen Tamil Tigers rebels.

Video: I will protect MR and family: Maithri

Common opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena said today that he would not allow international forces or the Tamil diaspora to drag incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa, his family or anyone in the security forces to an International War Crimes Court.

Ali to take Azwer’s place

The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) has decided to appoint All Ceylon Muslim Congress (ACMC) Eastern Provincial Councillor Amir Ali to parliament through the national list to fill the vacancy created by A.H.M. Azwer’s resignation.

Azwer resigns from Parliament

United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) national list parliamentarian A.H.M. Azwer has resigned from Parliament today. His resignation was confirmed by Parliament Secretary General Dhammika Dasanayake.

Video: Malaka and six others released on bail

Minister Mervyn Silva’s son Malaka and six others, who were in remand custody, were released on bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today. They were prohibited from entering night clubs until the case was over.

Australia hands over 37 SL asylum-seekers to Navy

The Australian Coastguard has intercepted a vessel carrying 37 Sri Lankan asylum-seekers in the Indonesian seas and handed them over to the Sri Lankan Navy on Thursday, Police said.

Chinese submarine issue taken up with SL: India

India has taken up with Sri Lanka the issue of recent visits of a Chinese submarine to Colombo, the Indian Government informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, saying it closely monitors foreign military presence in the neighbourhood.

Lankans behind murder in India: Kochi police

The Kochi State police have been investigating the sensational Mithila Mohan murder case for the past eight years and now they have came up with a new theory stating that Sir Lankan natives were behind the murder.

Sarath Silva at KKS Navy house

As the Presidential race heated up, former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva had visited Jaffna yesterday and had stayed overnight at the Navy House, the Kankesanthurai Naval Camp, sources said.

Regional stability important: Defence Secretary

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa today highlighted the importance of reducing tensions and overcoming misunderstandings among countries in the South Asian and South East Asian region.

Video: No more talks with MR: JHU

Our doors are closed and all the opportunities we offered President Rajapaksa to work with us have run out, Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) General Secretary Patali Champika Ranawaka today said.

Nagamuwa to be Leftist Front common candidate

The Leftist Front comprising the Frontline Socialist Party (FLSP), New Leftist Front (NLF) and the United Socialist Party (USP) had decided to field FLSP politburo member Duminda Nagamuwa as their common candidate for the upcoming presidential election.

Maj. Gen, Jagath Alwis new Jaffna Commander

Major General Jagath Alwis has been appointed as the Commander of the Security Forces in Jaffna with immediate effect, Army Media Director Jayanath Jayaweera said today.

Video: Ranil will be PM sans Executive Powers: Mangala

Elaborating on what would take place when common candidate Maithripala Sirisena wins the presidential elections, UNP MP Mangala Samaraweera said Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe would be appointed as the Prime Minister but not with executive powers.

UK lawmakers urge EU to stop SL trade perks

Leading British lawmakers urged the European Union on Thursday to remove preferential trade tariffs from Sri Lanka if it fails to address human rights concerns, the Reuters reported.

Mihintale PS budget defeated

The 2015 Budget of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) administered Mihintale Pradeshiya Sabha (PS) was defeated by a majority of one vote.

Video: BBS to support Mahinda

At a news conference held today, the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Organisation said it would give its unconditional support to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the upcoming presidential election.

Hughes dies from brain injury

Phillip Hughes’ innings has ended in the most tragic of circumstances. The young cricketer has died following a terrible incident in a Sheffield Shield match on Tuesday.

Maithripala to contest under lotus or dove symbol

Common Opposition Candidate Maithripala Sirisena is to contest the presidential election under the symbol of either the lotus or the dove, political sources said yesterday.

SL may release seized boats soon: Swamy

Sri Lanka may consider releasing the Indian boats in its custody soon after verifying details of ownership, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy said on Wednesday.

Video: 100-day national Govt. to bring reforms: Maitripala

Common Opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena today pledged to form a national government comprising all political parties represented in Parliament after he wins the presidential election.

Prices on imported rice varieties reduced

Imported rice would be sold at subsidized rates at Lak Sathosa outlets from today; Ministry of Cooperatives and Internal Trade said today.

Russia shows green light on fish import from SL

Russia has granted approval to import fish and fish products to the Russian Federation from Sri Lanka, the External Affairs Ministry said.

Modi thanks MR for fishermen release

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held a bilateral meeting with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa during which he thanked him for pardoning and sending back five Indian fishermen, who were sentenced to death for alleged drug trafficking.