Wish you a happy and peaceful Vesak: British PM

The British Prime Minister, David Cameron issuing a Vesak message sent his best wishes to Buddhists in Britain and around the world celebrating Vesak, the sacred festival commemorating the birth, enlightenment and the passing away (Parinirvana) of the Buddha.

Top Chinese military delegation in SL

General Xu Qiliang-the third most powerful military figure in China is currently on a three day visit to the island leading a 25 member military delegation from China.

67 unhygienic Dansals detected

The food served at 67 Dansals countrywide had to be thrown away after health inspectors found that it was unhygienic and not suitable for human consumption, Public Health Inspectors’ Association Secretary Senarath Bandara said.

50 hospitalised due to food poisoning

About 50 people were hospitalised for suspected food poisoning after having meals at alms giving at Sri Sambuddathwa Jayanthi Viharaya at Diyadawa in Deniyaya, hospital sources said

Iran to participate in Ozone Layer meeting in SL

Iran plans to take part in the South Asia Network of Ozone Officers meeting which is scheduled to be held from May 27-30 at the Grand Oriental Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Torture is a fact of life in Asian countries: AI

Torture is a fact of life in countries across Asia, including in Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and China, human rights body Amnesty International (AI) said adding action should be taken against the issue

Army begins recruiting youth from Mullaitivu

The Army has begun the process of recruiting youth from Mullaitivu at the Mullaitivu Maritime Divisional Secretariat, the Army said.

Indian stand on Katchatheevu clear: ICG

Director-General of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Vice-Admiral Anurag G. Thapliyal has refused to be drawn into the controversy over India’s stand on Katchatheevu and said India's stand on the issue is quite clear

SL ban splits overseas Tamil outfits-report

The ban on 16 Tamil Diaspora organisations and 425 individuals deemed to be pro-Tamil Tiger, which was imposed by the Sri Lankan government in March

‘Tortured and killed’ LTTEr surfaces in India

One of the former prominent LTTE cadres, said to have been tortured and killed by the Sri Lankan security forces in 2009 as claimed by many local and international NGOs, was among the arrested person by the Tamil Nadu police in Dhanushkodi in India

166 dead, many trapped in Turkish coal mine

A fire caused by a transformer explosion in a coal mine in western Turkey has left 166 people dead, Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said Wednesday

Khuram Sheik’s girlfriend had been raped -- doctor

The JMO of the Karapitiya Hospital, Dr L.H. Dhammi Gunasekera, giving evidence before the Colombo High Court in the Khuram Sheik’ murder trial on Monday, said that his examination of Victoria Alexandria

SL says 'Boko Haram' abductions show need to combat terrorism

While condeming the mass abduction of girls in Nigeria, Sri Lanka today said that the abduction demonstrated the urgent need for decisive and concerted efforts by the international community to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations

Man stuck between two walls

A man who was stuck between the walls of the Maradana Captain Gardens Pillaiyar Kovil and Totem Vidyalaya was rescued by the police today.

Video: Old medicines seized

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) seized a stock of medicine valued at Rs. 60 million past the day of expiry from a warehouse at Grandpass in Colombo yesterday, the Internal Trade Ministry said.

Duminda gets permission to go to Singapore

Parliamentarian Duminda Silva, who is to be indicted in the High Court in the Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra murder case, was allowed by the court to go to Singapore for six weeks, to obtain treatment for the injuries sustained during the shootout.

Crime in cemetery?

A body had been recovered burnt at the Meegahathenna Cemetery this morning, the Police said

Bathiudeen re-settling people in forest reserves: environmentalists

Four leading environmental associations today charged that Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen had illegally cleared 18,000 acres of forest land belonging to leading wildlife parks in three districts.Pictures

Two teachers arrested for giving student a hair cut

Two teachers attached to the Vavinna Kanishta Vidayalaya in Wattegama were yesterday arrested on charges of having forcibly cut the hair of a girl studying in Grade-6.

Pakistan war ship due here

Pakistan Naval Ships PNS SHAMSHEER will be arriving at Colombo Port for a 3-day visit from Tuesday.

Maj.Gen.Prasad new army Chief of Staff

Major General Prasad Samarasinghe has been appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army with effect from May 17

Police constable killed

A 50 year-old police constable was killed and his son was badly injured after an unidentified group attacked the father and son with sharp object while they were returning from a party held in Meegama, Welipenna last night, the Police said.

Video: CJ 43 refuses to plead guilty or not guilty

Former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake today declined to plead guilty or not guilty when the case filed by the Bribery Commission was heard in the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court on the grounds that her lawyers were not allowed full access to the bank accounts on which the case was based ???

Driver fined for spitting betel chewing

A bus driver, arrested on the charge of spitting betel-chewing out of a bus at a public place in Colombo Fort was fined Rs.1,500 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate

Don't arrest SL Tamils: rights activists

The arrest of 10 Sri Lankan Tamils, who fled Sri Lanka following persecution, has evoked angry reactions from rights activists and Tamil outfits at Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu

Wrong Buddhist flags seized

About 60,000 Buddhist flags sewn in wrong colours and patterns were seized by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) from some shops at the Peoples’ Park Shopping Complex in Pettah today

Notice issued on Vajira Nettikumara

The Colombo Fort Magistrate today issued notice on Vajira Janaki Nettikumara the owner of the building in which an illegal gambling centre allegedly operated at Union Place Colombo 2, to appear in Court on May 19

Court orders release of passport to Lankan witness

The Dubai Criminal Court has ordered the release of the passport of a Sri Lankan witness in the case of rape of a French girl on humanitarian grounds

Man kills wife for enlisting; hangs himself

A man had allegedly killed his wife for enlisting in the Army and later committed suicide in Vallipunam, Pudukudiyiruppu yesterday, the Police said

Ukraine region voted for sovereignty

Pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region have claimed a resounding victory in a "self-rule" referendum, saying 89% voted in favour