Chinese arrested with protected animals

Wildlife rangers arrested a Chinese at Mirijjawila in Hambantota for allegedly possessing a tortoise and a pangolin yesterday, the Wildlife Department said

SL concerned over lack of financial independence of OHCHR

The Sri Lankan government today said that it remains deeply concerned that the lack of financial independence of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) also leads to disproportionate attention being paid to country-specific action in the Council.

Navi Pillay to visit SL in August

High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay will undertake a visit to Sri Lanka from 25 to 31 August 2013, in response to an invitation formally extended to her by the Sri Lankan government in April 2011, the government said.

Ties with Beijing were not an 'exclusive one'-SL

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in Beijing on Monday on a 4-day state visit, his sixth, with Colombo saying that its ties with Beijing were not an "exclusive one" and would not harm interests of others

Mother jumps into river with 2 children

A mother jumped into a river with her two children aged three and seven in Valachchenai this morning following a domestic dispute, police said

Kandy A/C train postponed

The Colombo-Kandy luxury train service, which was expected to begin operations today, was postponed until further notice, the Transport Ministry said today.

Three bodyguards assaulted

Three security personnel assigned to Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Kilinochchi Organiser has been reportedly assaulted by an unidentified group at Vairavapuliyankulama in Vavuniya last night. 

Fmr. umpire reveals 'fixing' approach for a Pakistan-Lanka match

Former umpire John Holder alleged Sunday he was offered 10,000 pounds (USD 15,139) to help sway the course of a one-day international in the United Arab Emirates. Holder, who stood in 11 Tests, said the approach related to a match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Sharjah.

Maoist attack kills at least 24 in India

At least 24 people were killed and 33 were injured in Saturday's audacious Maoist attack on a political motorcade in India's Chhattisgarh state, the province's home secretary told CNN Sunday.

Politics is ‘business’ in SL: Minister

Transport Minister Kumara Welgama said engaging in politics in Sri Lanka was a business and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the United National Party were the main competitors.

Sampanthan says Gotabaya is not govt.

“Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said police and land powers would not be given to the Northern Province. I am not ready to talk to him because he is not the government,” said ITAK leader R. Sampanthan at the Trincomalee District General Meeting of the ITAK yesterday.

Lanka can't toe India line on 13th Amendment: Gotabaya

The influential Sri Lankan Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has said Sri Lanka should jettison the system of devolution contained in the India-inspired 13th Amendment of the country’s constitution, irrespective of India’s reaction.

Political henchmen exploit BIA VIP Lounge: UNP

The VIP lounge of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) was exploited for the comfort of politically connected persons travelling  abroad, United National Party (UNP) MP Akila Viraj Kariyawasam charged in Parliament last week.

It’s self-sacrifice

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) today insisted that the self-immolation committed by the ex-JHU monk, Ven. Bowatte Indarathana Thera was an act of self-sacrifice and not a case of suicide.

BBS wants Gota to man Buddha Sasana Ministry

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) today said the Buddha Sasana Ministry should be brought under the purview of Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa to protect Buddhism.

Court orders Kelaniya PS Chairman’s arrest

Mahara Magistrate Darshika Wimalasiri ordered the Kiribathgoda police to arrest the Chairman of the Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha Prasanna Ranaweera and produce him in court

Galle road closed due to protest

The Galle road has been closed for traffic from Kollupitiya junction to Galle Face due to a protest march by Buddhist monks of the Sihala Ravaya, police said.

Tense situation in Borella

A tense situation prevailed in front of the Jayaratne Florists, Borella after members of the Sihala Rawaya protested against sending the body of the self immolated monk Ven. Bowatte Indraratna Thera to Ratnapura.

Immigration officer suspended over alleged extortion

An officer of the Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration Department has been suspended pending a full inquiry, following a complaint made by a foreigner over extortion of money allegedly by Sri Lanka Immigration officers at the Bandaranaike International Air Port, media reports said.

Monk succumbs to burn injuries

The Buddhist monk who set himself on fire in front of the Dalada Maligawa, Kandy in protest of cattle slaughter succumbed to his injuries at the National Hospital a short while ago, hospital sources confirmed.

De mining nearing completion

The Military said that in less than four years since the war ended nearly all areas in the conflict zone excepting for 96 square kilometres had been cleared of landmines and could be now used for resettlement purposes.

Mega Indian tele-series on Buddha

The much talked of mega tele-series based on the life of Buddha was launched on the auspicious day of Buddha Poornima (Vesak), the Times of India reported yesterday.

Lanka ranks high in informal cash transfers

Sri Lanka has ranked high among informal money transfers in the south Asian region last year, a new Gallup study revealed.

Perahera elephant on rampage

At least 24 persons were injured when an elephant went on rampage during a Perahera of the Muthiyangana Temple last night, police said.

TNA tells Govt. to resolve 13-A among its allies

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) yesterday urged the government to resolve the issues pertaining to the Northern Provincial Council elections and power devolution because of the contrasting views expressed by some of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) allies.

CID probes fraud at Polonnaruwa SP’s office

The CID is investigating a fraud which is alleged to have taken place at the Polonnaruwa SP’s office where an office accountant had reportedly withdrawn funds set apart to be given to policemen as distress loans whenever the need arises

Mihin flight grounded at BIA

The take off of a Mihin Lanka flight was suspended temporarily at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake due to a mechanical malfunction in the aircraft this afternoon.

Monk’s fiery protest: Police looking for helper

Police are on the lookout for the man who is alleged to have provided petrol to the monk, who was hospitalised with serious burn injuries after he set himself on fire this morning outside the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy.

Human smuggling: Lankan charged in UK

A man living in Croydon in the United Kingdom has been charged with smuggling Sri Lankan immigrants into the UK.

Who imported Zombie masks?

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has requested the government to investigate who imported rubber masks known as Zombies for the Vesak festival.