SL gifted Bodhi tree at Sanchi is dying

The famous Bodhi tree- near Sanchi world heritage site in Madhya Pradesh, India - planted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa two years ago is dying and wilting, the Hindustan Times (HT) reported.

SC to hear Jaya’s bail plea on Friday

The Supreme Court will on Friday hear a special leave petition filed by three-time former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa challenging the Karnataka High Court order refusing to suspend the execution of her sentence and grant of bail in a disproportionate assets case.

Indian ‘rapist’ castrated by angry mob

A man had his genitals chopped off and thrown into the street by an angry mob in India for allegedly sexually assaulting a young woman. It happened in Ganganagar in the north-western state of Rajasthan, in graphic scenes captured on video.

Video: Election illegal: JVP

Political forces should come on a common platform to oppose the incumbent President from contesting the Presidential polls which was illegal, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said.

Jacqueline to go international

Former Miss Sri Lanka and Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez has been offered a lead role in a British film, The Definition of Fear.

SL, Indonesia joint efforts to tackle human smuggling

Sri Lankan and Indonesian foreign ministers met in Jakarta on Monday and discussed ways to step up efforts in addressing human smuggling issue and boosting bilateral trade, which is targeted to reach one billion U.S. dollars next year.

Video: Abolish the executive presidency without elections: UNP

The Government should move towards scrapping the Executive Presidency without holding a Presidential Election, the United National Party (UNP) said today.

Video: Yal Devi arrives in Jaffna

The one-time popular Yal Devi express train arrived in Jaffna a short while ago after 24 years, with President Mahinda Rajapaksa who boarded the train from Palai.

Pakistan sore at Indian auto invasion in Lanka

The Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) has urged the Pakistan government to put automobiles and auto parts in the negative list of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Sri Lanka to safeguard Pakistani manufacturers against the entry of cheaper Indian products manufactured in Lanka.

Asylum seeker boat case in Aussie High Court

A month-long stand-off on the high seas involving the detention of 157 Sri Lankan asylum seekers on a Customs boat will be examined in the Australian High Court on Tuesday.

E01 section closed tonight

A section of Southern Expressway (E01) from Gelanigama to Dodangoda would be closed from today 11.00 pm to tomorrow 1.00 am due to the erection of gantries for sign boards, the Road Development Authority said.

MR warns over Facebook politics

President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday warned the parents on a move by certain quarters to drag the school children into politics using social networking websites such as Facebook.

Ratnapura Police officer reinstated

The Police Sergeant who was charged with an assault on a woman at the Ratnapura bus stand and was subsequently suspended had been reinstated with effect from today (October 12), the Police said. He had been posted to the Awissawella Police Station.

Buddhadasa sues NFF media spokesman

Kaduwela Municipal Council Mayor G.H. Buddhadasa has filed a lawsuit against National Freedom Front (NFF) Spokesman Mohammad Muzammil claiming Rs.100 million as damages for allegedly making a defamatory statement on the Mayor on May 22, 2014.

MR: Give up Eelam; will give up Presidency

If attempts to create a separate state in Sri Lanka stopped, he would consider removing the Executive Presidential system, President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing a public gathering in Kilinochchi said today.

Indonesian dies on board at BIA

A 70-year-old Indonesian woman who was on board a Colombo bound Saudi Arabian Airlines aircraft had died when the plane was about to land at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake this morning.

One way traffic between Wellawatte-Kollupitiya

Police would implement one way traffic between Wellawatta to Kollupitiya along the Marine Drive in the morning and evening during weekdays starting tomorrow due to ongoing road repairs along the road.

Liquor prices up

The Excise Department has increased the prices of foreign and local liquor with effect from October 10, the department announced today.

Extend UN Inquiry on SL-TN politician

Tamil Nadu politician and chairman of Tamizhar Desiya Iyyakkam (TDI) Pazha Nedumaran on Saturday said the period of inquiry by the United Nations Human Rights Committee in Sri Lanka should be extended.

Mahabodhi Temple gets Income Tax notice

The Income Tax Department has issued notice to Bodh Gaya's Mahabodhi temple, Buddhism's holiest shrine, for not filing annual return of its income of over Rs.100 crore through donations, an official said Saturday.

Over 100 army officers promoted

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has promoted 108 army officers to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on the recommendations of the Secretary Defence and the Commander of the Army, effective from yesterday (10).

Traffic congestion at Wijerama Jun. , Nugegoda

Traffic congestion was reported on the High-level Road at Wijerama Junction due to a protest carried out by the Jayawardanapura University students, police said.

Computer defect at BIA delays clearance

The immigration clearance at Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport was delayed due to a technical defect in the computer system at the Emigration and Immigration Department, an official of the BIA said.

Strong winds expected due to Cyclonic Storm

The Meteorology Department said today strong winds could be expected over the country specially in Northern areas after the severe Cyclonic Storm “Hudhud” in the Bay of Bengal had intensified into a Very Severe cyclonic storm.

Sabaragamuwa undergrads attacked: 12 injured

At least 12 students of the Sabaragamuwa University were injured when an unidentified gang hurled petrol bombs at the hut where they were protesting last night. Pictures

SLC to bust Rs.9 mn on World Cup tickets

Former Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) President Upali Dharmadasa has protested a planned move by SLC to purchase match tickets estimated to cost Rs. nine million for next year’s World Cup to be held in Australia/New Zealand and distribute them free of charge among SLC ex-co members.

Don’t take alleged attack on Nonis seriously: Keheliya

Cabinet spokesman and Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the unfortunate incident where an Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in London was allegedly attacked took place at a private party and at a private residence and therefore it is not something to be taken seriously.

Video: Railway strike called off

The railway strike launched by the Professional Railway Trade Union Alliance (PRTUA) was temporarily called off today and train services will resume at 7 a.m. tomorrow.

Rs.6 mn fraud: CID arrests pension officer

The CID has arrested the Kegalle Divisional Secretariat Pensions Officer in connection with some Rs.6.3 million fraud.

Woman hacked to death in Panadura

A man was arrested for allegedly hacking his 45-year-old wife to death in Panadura this afternoon, police said. Pictures