Australia says 41 asylum seekers handed back to SL at sea

Australia said on Monday 41 asylum seekers had been handed to Sri Lankan authorities at sea, another step that has galvanized opposition to the government's hardline policy against illegal arrivals

Katchatheevu issue has to be revisited by Centre: BJP

Virtually endorsing the ruling AIADMK’s demand for retrieval of Katchatheevu, BJP on Sunday said the issue of Indian sovereignty over the islet, ceded to Sri Lanka by India in 1974, has to be revisited

Malaka and I are poles apart

SLFP Matara Organiser and Deputy Minister Sanath Jayasuriya, in an interview with the Daily Mirror said Malaka Silva would not pose a challenge if he was to contest from Matara. Mr. Jayasuriya also said Mr. Silva and he were poles apart.

Fire at Hampden Lane

A fire broke out at a hardware shop located on Hampden Lane, Wellawatte a short while ago. The fire brigade is currently responding to the fire, Fire Brigade officials said

Man burnt inside his lorry

In an unfortunate incident, a driver, who had locked his lorry and slept inside the vehicle, died when a fire had gutted the lorry in Kegalle this evening, police said.

Met : Beware of high winds

Despite the temperature in many areas going upto 39c degrees in Sri Lanka, the Department of Meteorology yesterday predicted that wind speeds may increase along the Western slopes in the Central Hills accompanied by thunder storms and showers.

Two teenagers drown in Batticaloa

A 15-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy from Eravur died after drowning off the Batticaloa seas today. Five children who were rescued were hospitalized. Pictures

SA secure solid win in Colombo

South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 75 runs with just under 10 overs to spare in the first one-day international in Colombo today.

Unconditional pardon for Uni. Student

The suspension and studentship cancellations imposed upon more than 200 undergraduates of the Sri Jayawardenapura University have been unconditionally revoked by the Vice Chancellor of the University today.

Video: Association President challenges to disprove charges

The Lanka Private Buss Owners Association (LPBOA) today said the Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority (RPTA) had illegally given out 82 bus permits since February last year.

Indian govt to stick to UPA's stand in Rajiv killers’ case

Keeping aside political differences, the Indian central government has decided to maintain the UPA regime's stand in the Supreme Court and oppose Jayalalithaa government's February 19 decision to release seven life imprisonment convicts in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case by remitting their remaining jail term.

Dubai Police reunite jailed Lankan dad with daughter

Dubai’s police reversed their role of jailing criminals and acted this time to help a defendant regain his freedom so he will reunite with his four-year-old daughter, whose mother had left the country

Neymar speaks in tearful video after back injury

Brazil's world cup star Neymar is convinced that Brazil can win the world cup without him. He was ruled out of the tournament on Friday night when he fractured a verterbra after being kneed in the back by Colombia's Juan Zuniga

20 Indian fishermen arrested

Twenty Indian fishermen found poaching in Sri Lankan waters had been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in the seas off Talaimannar last night, the Navy said

Two foreigners arrested with heroin

Two foreign nationals were arrested by the Excise Department in Mount Lavinia yesterday for allegedly possessing heroin

Fort bound train derails in Bambalapitiya

Two compartments of a train heading to Colombo from Matara has derailed near the Bambalapitiya railway station injuring at least three persons, this evening, police said.

Malaysian authorities hunt for more LTTE members

Malaysian authorities are on the hunt for more members of the outlawed LTTE after a crackdown on the Tamil militant group led to the arrest of seven persons in the last two months in the country.

Australian Immigration Minister due here

Australian Immigration Minister Scott Morrison was set to arrive in Sri Lanka on Wednesday (09), Sri Lanka External Affairs Ministry confirmed today.

Take meaningful steps – US to SL

The United States yesterday called on the Sri Lankan Government to take meaningful, concrete steps to address outstanding concerns related to democratic governance, reconciliation, justice, and accountability.

Over 4,200 Lankans on UNHCR list in Malaysia

There are 4,280 Sri Lankan refugees and asylum-seekers registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia.

China’s President set for historic Sri Lanka visit

China’s President Xi Jinping will this year become the first Chinese head of state to visit Sri Lanka in three decades, underlining Beijing’s renewed push to deepen its strategic and economic presence in the neighbourhood and in the Indian Ocean.

Govt to maintain database on unruly drivers

The government is to compile a computer database of unruly drivers and suspend their licences if they accumulate too many negative marks, Transport Minister Kumara Welgama said yesterday.

Death sentence for undergrad’s murder

Balendra Prasad Sathisseran, found guilty of the charge of murdering Peradeniya University Undergraduate Selva Vinyagar Prakash Varagpragas on October 6, 1997, was today sentenced to death in absentia by Kandy High Court Judge Manilal Waidyatilleke.

No move to alter PC seats in Uva: Commissioner

Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya today said that there was no move to alter the number of members to be elected in Badulla and Moneragala Districts.

Video: UNP happy over Gnanasara Thera’s visa cancellation

UNP parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera said today Sri Lankans should be thankful to the United States for cancelling the visa of Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary the Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera and banning him from entering the US.

Four top LTTErs arrested in Malaysia

Malaysian Police Counter Terrorism Unit has arrested four men suspected to be top level members of the now-defunct LTTE, a Malaysian news agency reported.

Daughter abducted: Father says police doing nothing

A Kadugannawa resident stood on the roof of his car outside the People’s Bank building at Daladaweediya in Kandy in protest over the police having failed to conduct a formal inquiry into the alleged abduction of his 25-year-old daughter.

Student allegedly commits suicide

A 24-year-old student of the Jaffna University is reported to have hanged himself from a tree near Nachchimar Kovil in Jaffna, police said.

Man who set himself on fire, dies

The 64-year-old man who is alleged to have set himself on fire at Bristol Street in Colombo Fort yesterday died while under treatment at the National Hospital from the severe burn injuries he suffered

India fears growth of fundamentalism in SL after riots

Indian security experts have expressed serious concerns over the recent riots in Sri Lanka, and have stressed the need for Colombo to take steps to control the situation, fearing that riots may be exploited by 'foreign elements' wanting to carry out a terror strikes in southern states of India.