12 Tamil refugees to return to SL tomorrow

In the next batch of voluntary repatriation, 12 Sri Lankan refugees, living in various camps across the State, would be leaving for Colombo from Tiruchi on Friday.

John Key opens Fonterra farm

Vote on CC deferred for SLFP approval

The vote on the motion to initiate the Constitution making process had been postponed till Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) headed by President Maitripala Sirisena approved its amended version at its Central Committee in a week, it is learnt.

Ranawaka says Castro follows Maithri, Ranil

Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said Cuban leader Fidel Castro seemed to be following the policy of President Maitripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, when he extended an invitation to United States’ President Barak Obama to visit Cuba in June.

Joint Opposition to stop planned protests

The joint opposition had decided to stop planned protests in Parliament as most of its demands had been met, one of the MPs belonging to the group told journalists yesterday.

22,254 Tamil Buddhists in SL

There are 22,254 Tamil Buddhists and eleven Tamil Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka, Parliament was informed last morning.

JHU disapproves Govt. response to GMOA

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) said in a statement yesterday that the Government must respond wisely to the ideas and arguments of the professionals on the proposed Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) without making speeches undermining the GMOA, which is a recognised professional organisation.

Restraining order on Sri Lanka Cricket

The Colombo District Court today issued a restraining order on Sri Lanka Cricket, until March 9, against putting into operation its decision not to recruit foreign cricketers to the Premier League Cricket Tournament.

Van crashed through exit point at Godagama on E01

A van crashed through and exited at the Godagama exit point on the Southern Expressway (E01) early this morning, Deputy Director of the Southern Expressway Traffic Operation Centre R.A.D. Kahatpitiya said

SL gifts second elephant to NZ

The Sri Lankan Government will gift a second elephant to the New Zealand and an agreement in this regard was signed today in the presence of President Maithripala Sirisena and visiting New Zealand Prime Minister John Key in Colombo.

Five Kegalle Prison inmates escape

Five inmates of the Kegalle Prison who were taken to the Kegalle Magistrate’s Court for their respective cases are reported to have escaped from police custody.

SLFP CC stops split in party

In a bid apparently to counter the demands within the SLFP to form a new political party or act as an independent group in Parliament by certain members of the party, the SLFP Central Committee had decided to ban members from participating in events or discussions that would lead to form a separate group in Parliament, sources told today.

Ranil meets John Key

Principal nabbed accepting Rs.50, 000 bribe

The Principal of the Sanghabodhi Vidyalaya in Nittambuwa has been arrested by the officials of the Bribery Commission, while accepting a bribe of Rs. 50,000 today.

Nepal small passenger plane wreckage found

A small plane crashed in Nepal on Wednesday in bad weather, killing all 23 people on board, a police official said, the country's second air disaster in as many years.

BC arrests two more over Rs. 125mn bribe

Officials of the Bribery Commission arrested two more customs officers connected to the case where Rs. 125 million was solicited from a spare- part businessman in Panchikawatta.  

President meets John Key

Kanthan not at court today

Former top ranked LTTE Leader Emil Kanthan’s Counsel informed the Colombo Special High Court that his client could not appear before court today as the Colombo Fort Magistrate Court had issued an arrest warrant on him.

Five PTA detainees released

Five suspected LTTE carders arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) were released by the Additional Colombo Magistrate today on the instructions of the Attorney Generals Department.

Bones found in a bag in Ja-Ela

Several human bones were found inside a fertilizer bag near the Ekala Pola Junction in Ja-Ela this morning, Police said.

University of Texas at Austin to allow students to carry handguns on campus

Students at the University of Texas at Austin will soon be allowed to carry handguns on campus.

Doctor convicted of killing husband fears deportation to SL

The lawyer for a Geraldton doctor who bludgeoned her sleeping husband to death with a mallet after years of abuse says his client believes she will be deported to Sri Lanka once she is released on parole.

Defence Secretary visits OCDS

Wedding receptions at Sooriyawewa Stadium: Dayasiri

The Rs. 4.2 billion international cricket stadium built in a god-forsaken land in Sooriyawewa is being hired out for wedding receptions, Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera revealed in Parliament yesterday.

Small plane with 21 people on board missing in Nepal

A small plane carrying 21 people including two foreigners has gone missing in west Nepal, an airport official said on Wednesday.

Mars recalls chocolates from 55 countries including SL

US chocolate giant Mars on Tuesday ordered a massive international recall, including Sri Lanka, of Mars and Snickers bars made at its Dutch factory after a piece of plastic found in one snack was traced back to the site.

New Zealand PM in SL

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key arrived in Sri Lanka last night on a three-day official visit.

Video: New Zealand PM in SL

PM explains

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the opposition were engaged in an argument in Parliament yesterday over an Indian ambulance service which is to be begun shortly in the Southern and Western Provinces.

Harsha rejects GMOA allegations

Rejecting the allegations by the GMOA on government’s decision to set up an ambulance service operated by an Indian organisation, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Harsha de Silva said today.