UNP outlines guidelines

The main opposition UNP yesterday said it was not prepared to accept any form of a new devolution system other than the existing provincial council system and was ready to adopt a balanced foreign policy in developing ties with China, India and the West alike.

Revised train schedule for Northern sector

With the commissioning of the train service to Jaffna, the Railways Department  has introduced a revised train timetable for the northern sector starting from Mount Lavinia today.

Chinese help to face cyber threats

In a move to boost cyber security, Sri Lanka reached an agreement with China to cooperate closely to face serious cyber threats and to share information on such threats in the future.

Threatening SMS to Sajin

A Moratuwa University senior lecturer was yesterday remanded by Mount Lavinia Chief Magistrate Rangajeewa Wimalasena when produced in Court by the Colombo Crime Division for allegedly threatening External Affairs Monitoring MP Sajin Vaas Gunawardena by SMS.  

SL still has ‘serious levels’ of hunger-Index

Sri Lanka still has ‘serious levels’ of hunger although the number of hungry people has declined with its score on the Global Hunger Index improving to the 39th position in 2014. Sri Lanka stood at the 43rd position on the Index last year.

ACMOA protests against Malabe Medical University

The All Ceylon Medical Officers Association (ACMOA) today staged a protest march from Colombo National Hospital to the University Grant Commission (UGC) urging the authorities to prevent Malabe private Medical University students from using the government hospitals for their medical training. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

SL gifted Bodhi tree at Sanchi is dying

The famous Bodhi tree- near Sanchi world heritage site in Madhya Pradesh, India - planted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa two years ago is dying and wilting, the Hindustan Times (HT) reported.

SC to hear Jaya’s bail plea on Friday

The Supreme Court will on Friday hear a special leave petition filed by three-time former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa challenging the Karnataka High Court order refusing to suspend the execution of her sentence and grant of bail in a disproportionate assets case.

Indian ‘rapist’ castrated by angry mob

A man had his genitals chopped off and thrown into the street by an angry mob in India for allegedly sexually assaulting a young woman. It happened in Ganganagar in the north-western state of Rajasthan, in graphic scenes captured on video.

Video: Election illegal: JVP

Political forces should come on a common platform to oppose the incumbent President from contesting the Presidential polls which was illegal, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) said.

Jacqueline to go international

Former Miss Sri Lanka and Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez has been offered a lead role in a British film, The Definition of Fear.

SL, Indonesia joint efforts to tackle human smuggling

Sri Lankan and Indonesian foreign ministers met in Jakarta on Monday and discussed ways to step up efforts in addressing human smuggling issue and boosting bilateral trade, which is targeted to reach one billion U.S. dollars next year.

MR reached Jaffna

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is seen greeting the public gathered at the Jaffna railway station to welcome the Yal Devi train which reached Jaffna after 24 years. Pix by President’s Media

Video: Abolish the executive presidency without elections: UNP

The Government should move towards scrapping the Executive Presidency without holding a Presidential Election, the United National Party (UNP) said today.

Video: Yal Devi arrives in Jaffna

The one-time popular Yal Devi express train arrived in Jaffna a short while ago after 24 years, with President Mahinda Rajapaksa who boarded the train from Palai.

Pakistan sore at Indian auto invasion in Lanka

The Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) has urged the Pakistan government to put automobiles and auto parts in the negative list of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Sri Lanka to safeguard Pakistani manufacturers against the entry of cheaper Indian products manufactured in Lanka.

Asylum seeker boat case in Aussie High Court

A month-long stand-off on the high seas involving the detention of 157 Sri Lankan asylum seekers on a Customs boat will be examined in the Australian High Court on Tuesday.

E01 section closed tonight

A section of Southern Expressway (E01) from Gelanigama to Dodangoda would be closed from today 11.00 pm to tomorrow 1.00 am due to the erection of gantries for sign boards, the Road Development Authority said.

MR warns over Facebook politics

President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday warned the parents on a move by certain quarters to drag the school children into politics using social networking websites such as Facebook.

Ratnapura Police officer reinstated

The Police Sergeant who was charged with an assault on a woman at the Ratnapura bus stand and was subsequently suspended had been reinstated with effect from today (October 12), the Police said. He had been posted to the Awissawella Police Station.

Buddhadasa sues NFF media spokesman

Kaduwela Municipal Council Mayor G.H. Buddhadasa has filed a lawsuit against National Freedom Front (NFF) Spokesman Mohammad Muzammil claiming Rs.100 million as damages for allegedly making a defamatory statement on the Mayor on May 22, 2014.

President seeks blessings

President Mahinda Rajapaksa on his away to Jaffna today visited Anuradhapura to seek blessings of the historic Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. The President is expected to commission the Yarl Devi Express train service up to the Jaffna Railway Station tomorrow. Pic by President’s media

MR: Give up Eelam; will give up Presidency

If attempts to create a separate state in Sri Lanka stopped, he would consider removing the Executive Presidential system, President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing a public gathering in Kilinochchi said today.

Indonesian dies on board at BIA

A 70-year-old Indonesian woman who was on board a Colombo bound Saudi Arabian Airlines aircraft had died when the plane was about to land at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake this morning.

One way traffic between Wellawatte-Kollupitiya

Police would implement one way traffic between Wellawatta to Kollupitiya along the Marine Drive in the morning and evening during weekdays starting tomorrow due to ongoing road repairs along the road.

Liquor prices up

The Excise Department has increased the prices of foreign and local liquor with effect from October 10, the department announced today.

Extend UN Inquiry on SL-TN politician

Tamil Nadu politician and chairman of Tamizhar Desiya Iyyakkam (TDI) Pazha Nedumaran on Saturday said the period of inquiry by the United Nations Human Rights Committee in Sri Lanka should be extended.

Mahabodhi Temple gets Income Tax notice

The Income Tax Department has issued notice to Bodh Gaya's Mahabodhi temple, Buddhism's holiest shrine, for not filing annual return of its income of over Rs.100 crore through donations, an official said Saturday.

Over 100 army officers promoted

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has promoted 108 army officers to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on the recommendations of the Secretary Defence and the Commander of the Army, effective from yesterday (10).

Traffic congestion at Wijerama Jun. , Nugegoda

Traffic congestion was reported on the High-level Road at Wijerama Junction due to a protest carried out by the Jayawardanapura University students, police said.