Offshore wind projects in SL to power Pakistan, Nepal

While calling for building the SAARC power grid so that excess power produced in one region of South Asia can be used to meet deficits elsewhere, India said offshore wind projects set up on the Sri Lankan coast could supply electricity power to Pakistan or Nepal.

Heavy rains exceeding 150 mm: Met. Dep.

The Meteorology Department said today heavy rains exceeding 150 mm could be expected at most parts of the country due to prevailing disturbed atmospheric conditions.

Doctor killed, three injured in accident

Two people including a doctor were killed and three others injured when an ambulance collided head on with a lorry at Bathuluoya on the Puttalam - Chilaw Road early this morning. Pictures

EU decision on LTTE has no bearing on India: Indian Express

The European Union court, which struck down the sanctions imposed on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) by the EU in 2006, had its own reasons to do so. Significantly, the court has not lifted the freezing of the assets owned by the banned organisation. The EU had proscribed the LTTE after countries like the US and Canada had declared it a terrorist organisation,The Indian Express said in its Editorial.

EU action strengthen LTTE-Sajin

External Affairs Ministry Monitoring MP Sajin Vaas Gunawardane said yesterday the EU decision to lift the ban on the LTTE was a shot in the arm for the LTTE and the diaspora.

Ex CJ makes public apology

Former Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva who made a public confession that a certain mistake he made while holding his post caused turmoil in the country today, tendered an apology to the nation yesterday.

Video: Northern trains earn Rs. 3 mn in four days

The Railway Department has earned over Rs. 3 million in four days from trains running along the newly-restored northern line to Jaffna, Superintendent of Railways G.W. Sisira Kumara said.

Harin appointed UNP deputy national organiser

UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today announced that he had decided to appoint Harin Fernando who was the party’s chief ministerial candidate at the recent Uva Provincial Council Election, as the party’s Deputy National Organiser.

BBS condemns EU ruling

While condemning the decision taken by the European Union to end the ban on LTTE, the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organisation said today the government should take steps to curb separatist elements that were still active in the country.

Court orders S’gamuwa undergrads to leave hostels

Sabaragamuwa University students who had defied orders to leave their hostels within the university premises were ordered to be removed by the Balangoda District Judge today.

India to host SL for five-ODIs

Sri Lanka Cricket has planned a five-match ODI series between India and Sri Lanka, to be played from 1 November 2014 following a request made by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Five-judge SC bench to hear Vaas appeal

A Supreme Court Bench comprising Chief Justice Mohan Pieris and Justices Eva Wanasundera, Sarath De Abrew, Sisira De Abrew and Buwaneka Aluvihare today fixed October 21 to hear the appeals submitted by the accused remanded in connection with the killing of Mohamed Shiyam.

Envoy asks Germany to teach our workers

Sri Lankan Ambassador in Germany Karunatilaka Amunugama had requested Germany to assist Sri Lanka in upgrading the skill levels of our workers as Germany had an advanced system of technical education.

Video: SF to take disenfranchisement to Geneva

Democratic Party (DP) Leader Sarath Fonseka said today he would complain to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva regarding the decision to disenfranchise him because he had no confidence or faith in Sri Lanka’s judicial system under this government.  

Earth mound kills two army officers

Two army officers engaged in irrigation work at Morawewa in Kantale were killed when a mound of earth collapsed on them, police said.

Jayalalithaa granted interim bail

AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa, who was sentenced to four years’ simple imprisonment and imposed a Rs. 100-crore fine for her offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court on Friday.

Heavy rains to continue

The Meteorology Department said today heavy showers generating a rainfall of more than 100mm are likely at some places during the afternoon and night accompanied by thunder and lightning as a result of disturbances in the atmosphere.

Moves to re-export vehicles from H’tota

Vehicles exporters of Japan and Thailand were mulling the idea to send vehicles to Hambantota harbour to re-export them to other countries, Harbour Project Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena said.

Gotabhaya to meet NSA in New Delhi

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa will visit New Delhi early next week for high-level talks with India’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, according to reliable sources. The agenda for the meeting is unclear. Sources in New Delhi confirmed the visit, but declined to “get into the details” of the meeting.

Presidential polls in January

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is reported to have told the leaders of the political parties comprising his coalition that a snap presidential election would be held next January.  

Sarath Fonseka disenfranchised

The name of Sarath Fonseka the former army commander and the leader of the Democratic Party is to be removed from the voters list by the Election Commissioner on the instructions of the Attorney General.

Animal rights activists accuse Wildlife chief

Animal rights activists today accused the Wildlife Ministry Secretary and Wildlife Conservation Department Director General (WCD) of being directly involved in providing a legal standing to the baby elephants that are smuggled out of national parks and sold off for domestication.

All hospitals on alert for Ebola: Health Min.

While the authorities were now maintaining a 24/7 special medical unit at the Bandaranaike International Airport to track Ebola patients, the Health Ministry said all hospitals in the country had been issued with detailed instructions on how to deal with a patient suspected of contracting Ebola.

SL express concerns

The Sri Lankan Government today said it was concerned about the decision of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to cancel the EU regulations proscribing the LTTE.

EU court lifts LTTE sanctions

European Union (EU) judges struck down anti-terrorism sanctions imposed on the Tamil Tigers by the European Union, citing a technicality, but said on Thursday that the assets of the Sri Lankan group should remain frozen for the time being.

Video : Govt. trying to hide borrowings: Harsha

The main opposition UNP today charged that the government had adopted a fraudulent approach of hiding the borrowings made by various state institutions from the 2015 budget.

Lankan Al-Quaeda suspect deported to SL

Malaysian authorities yesterday deported the Lankan who is suspected of having indirect links with Al-Qaeda and planned terror attacks in India.

Moves to patch up with Nonis

Moves are a foot with the use of certain channels to re-instate Dr. Chris Nonis as the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Britain after the last month’s incident that led to Dr. Nonis to submitting his resignation, Daily Mirror learns.

Ravana Balaya confronts FEB officials

The Ravana Balaya Organisation today went to the Foreign Employment Bureau in an attempt to urge its Chairman to look into the issues faced by the Sri Lankan employees in the Middle East countries.

Land issue in North still a problem for civilians: UK

British Deputy High Commissioner Laura Davies said yesterday land issues in the Northern Province continued to prevent some communities from rebuilding their lives.