SC decision on Divi Neguma Bill conveyed to President

The Supreme Court decision relating to the petitions filed in connection with the draft of the Divi Neguma Bill was conveyed to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa yesterday

Navy fills vacant CoS post after nearly two years

The post of Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy was filled yesterday after being vacant for 21 months, with the appointment of Rear Admiral Damayantha Dharamasiriwardane, informed sources said

US concerned over attempts to impeach CJ

While expressing concern over the move to impeach Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, the United States today highlighted the necessity of strengthening judicial independence by ending government interference with the judicial process.

Video: Legal procedure on impeachment is blatantly one sided-Ex CJ

Former chief justice Sarath N. Silva said at a media briefing on Thursday that the legal procedure to impeach the Chief Justice was blatantly one sided and fundamentally flawed. ???

UPR: Many countries commend SL

Most of the member countries, that took part in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Sri Lanka, which was held today at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva, commended the country’s achievements in many areas including the early completion of the resettlement of IDPs ???

SL offers to repatriate 10 Indian prisoners

Sri Lanka has offered to repatriate 10 Indian prisoners, currently serving their sentence in the island nation's jails, to India to complete their remaining prison term

Strong winds cause heavy damage

At lease 80 people of 24 families were displaced in Wellawatte due to strong winds experienced last evening. Two houses were entirely damaged while more houses were partially damaged. The displaced people are temporarily housed at the Bodhirukkarama Temple in Wellawatte. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Kandy Mayor asked to leave his residence

Kandy Mayor Mahendra Ratwatte was advised to move out of his official residence temporarily over fears that the rock behind his residence might slide down, the NBRO said

Two killed due to electrocution

A 58 year old mother and her 20 year old daughter were killed this afternoon while a 7 year old child sustained injuries and was admitted to the Kandy Hospital due to electrocution outside their home in Madawala Bazaar, Kandy , police said.

Another quintuplet birth

A 23 year old mother has given birth to a quintuplet (three girls and two boys) last night at a private hospital in Colombo, hospital sources said

Welipenna exit point temporarily closed

Welipenna exit point on the Southern Expressway is temporarily closed due to flooding of the Aluthgama- Mathugama road, Ministry of Highways said.

Gale hits many areas

A gale that hit several areas including Haputale, Diyathalawa and Bandarawela caused extensive damage to 40 line houses in Rohaminton Estate in Haputale and 16 line houses in Nayabedda estate in Bandarawela. More than 200 displaced persons are staying with their relatives. Pix by Palitha Ariyawansa

Rivers overflowing, flood warnings issued

The Irrigation Department said that the Kelani, Kalu, Gin & Nilwala rivers are beginning to spill and people living downstream on the river banks should be cautious of possible floods in four hours

Amunugama sworn in as Dy Finance Minister

Senior Minister Dr Sarath Amunugama has been appointed as Deputy Minister of Finance in addition to Senior Minister of International Monetary Cooperation while Geethanjana Gunawardene has been appointed as the Deputy Minister of Civil Aviation today

Bad weather closes school in N’Eliya

Tomorrow will be a holiday for all schools in the Nuwara Eliya district due to the adverse weather conditions.

Video: Impeachment motion against CJ handed over to Speaker

The Impeachment motion against Chief Justice Dr. Shirani Bandaranayake was handed over to the Speaker by government MPs Arundika Fernando, Lasantha Alagiyawanna and Pavithra Wanniarachchi at the auspicious time of 10.12a.m. ???

Heavy rain continues

Under the influence of the cyclonic storm ‘Nilam’, South-western parts of the island ( Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces) are receiving  heavy rainfalls  and it is likely to continue for next 09 hours, the Met Department said

SL hampers legal redress for rights abuses -ICJ

Sri Lanka's government has made it all but impossible for victims of human rights abuses to get justice, a Geneva-based human rights body that monitors legal matters said on Thursday.

SL will respond to questions at UPR today

Sri Lanka makes its presentation at the United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review in Geneva today

Embargo prevents SL importing Iranian crude

Although the United States has permitted Sri Lanka to import a restricted amount of crude oil from Iran, the embargo on the Iranian government-owned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) prevents such imports from Iran

AG to visit Saudi to obtain pardon for Rizana

Attorney General Palitha Fernando will leave for Saudi Arabia soon in a fresh initiative to secure a full pardon for housemaid Rizana Nafeek, who has been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia, officials said yesterday

Promoting a healthy lifestyle

In line with its commitment to encourage healthy lifestyle habits among Sri Lankans, Unilever Sri Lanka's Flora brand yesterday launched the Colombo Cycling Club project at the Independence Square in partnership with Ministry of Defence and Urban Development. The picture shows Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa riding a bicycle initiating the project. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Fallen trees cause traffic congestion

Traffic congestion was caused due to two fallen trees along the Panchikawatta and Nawaloka roads this evening. Police and the fire brigade brought the traffic situation under control. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Another woman killed in Kahawatta

A 66-year-old woman was found dead in her garden in the Warapitiya area in Kahawatta by her son this evening when he came back from work

Shout to resolve nurses' issues

Nurses’ unions today staged a protest outside the Health Ministry urging the authorities to introduce a new recruitment process for nurses. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Shout for a pay hike

A collective of trade unions today staged a protest outside the Inland Revenue Department demanding a pay hike in the upcoming Budget. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Five LTTE artillery guns found

The Army said today it had located five artillery guns -130 mm and 152 mm- and a boat fitted with two powerful boats hidden by the LTTE at the Vellamullivaikkal beach in Mullaitivu.

Oman FM arrives

Yousuf Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman met External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris at External Affairs Ministry today. He is on a one-day official visit during which he is due to meet the President as well in order to make donations to the development projects in Sri Lanka. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

MR tells envoy to assist Lankans in NY

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has directed Sri Lankan Envoy Major General Shavendra Silva to provide all possible assistance to any Sri Lankans who were affected by super storm Sandy in New York, the Government Information Department said.

Vietnamese cargo ship sinks off SL

The Vietnamese cargo ship Saigon Queen, with a crew of 22 on board, sank off Sri Lanka yesterday. Eighteen crewmembers have been rescued while the four others, including the captain, remain missing, the Vietnam Maritime Search and Rescue Co-ordination Center (MRCC) reported.