Talpahewa, chargé d’affaires in London

With the acceptance of the resignation of Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Chris Nonis, the External Affairs Ministry has asked the country’s Deputy High Commissioner to the Maldives Chanaka H. Talpahewa to take over as chargé d'affaires in London, a minister said.

President in Milan

President Mahinda Rajapaksa met the Sri Lankan community in Milan, Italy during his visit to Vatican and Italy. Picture courtesy President Media

Bellana Gnanawimala Mahanayaka Thera passes away

Mahanayaka of the Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha the Most Reverend Bellana Gnanawimala Maha Nayaka Thera passed away on Saturday at the age of 94.

Dual citizenship from next year?

President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday said that his government was planning to reintroduce the granting of dual citizenship from January.

Sabaragamuwa Uni. closed

The Sabaragamuwa University would be closed until further notice, the University announced this evening.

BCCI only interested in making money: OCA

BCCI’s decision to not send Indian teams for the Asian Games on Saturday drew sharp criticism from the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), which accused the influential cricket board of treating the sport just as a business venture.

Make Sajith PM candidate-Harin

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe should name party’s Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa as the party’s Prime Ministerial candidate without delay at the forthcoming Presidential election, former MP and Opposition leader of the Uva Provincial Council Harin Fernando said on Saturday.

12-foot crocodile captured

A 12-foot crocodile was captured by the villagers at Maharagama, Mudungoda in Gampaha this morning. The crocodile was later handed over to the Wildlife Conservation Department. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Water cannons to disperse protesting students

Police fired water cannons to disperse protesting Sabaragamuwa University students at Pambahinna in Balangoda this morning, the Police said.  

No point in being a minister, if I can’t serve people-Mervyn

Public Relations and Public Affairs Minister Mervyn Silva said that there is no point in being a minister of this government if he is unable to fulfil people’s needs.Audio

Drug kingpin with SL link arrested in India

A drug kingpin with links in Sri Lanka and Kuwait was arrested by Narcotics Control Bureau officials at the international airport in Tamil Nadu on Saturday, while heroin worth Rs one crore was seized from his aide in Chennai.

Int’l conspiracy for SL regime change-MR

Facing flak from the UN over its alleged human rights abuses during the civil war against the LTTE, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that a section of the international community is plotting against his regime to set up a puppet government in the country. 

My resignation was accepted-Dr. Nonis

Sri Lankan High Commissioner in London, Dr Chris Nonis said that his resignation letter was accepted by the External Affairs Ministry yesterday (03).

Abandoned SL boat seized in TN

A fibreglass boat from Sri Lanka was seized by police at the nearby coastal town of Thangachimadam in Tamil Nadu on Saturday, but its two occupants fled on seeing them.

SL seeks UN help to resettle asylum seekers

Sri Lanka has asked the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, for help to resettle scores of mainly Pakistani asylum seekers in another country, saying many are economic migrants and a threat to the security and health of the Indian Ocean island.

Jayalalithaa to be shifted to TN as protests continue

The Karnataka government is not keen on lodging J. Jayalalithaa in the Bangalore Central Jail and wants to shift the former Tamil Nadu chief minister to a prison in her home state.

Five-year-old Lankan girl molested in TN

A college student was arrested on Thursday for molesting a five-year-old girl at the Sri Lankan refugee camp in Chinnapallikuppam in Tamil Nadu.

Controversial plastic surgeon allowed to practice

Dr. Nimal N. Gamage, who was on bail in connection with the death of a lady doctor during cosmetic surgery at his clinic was permitted re-open his cosmetic surgery and resume his practice from tomorrow.

Assault on Dr.Nonis: MR orders probe

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ordered investigations into the alleged assault on Sri Lankan High Commissioner in London Dr. Chris Nonis and also External Affairs Ministry Secretary Kshenuka Senawiratne 's complaint against Dr. Nonis, Government Information Department said.

Video: Kanthilatha’s mother arrested by police and remanded

The counsel appearing for the 35-year old woman, who was allegedly assaulted by a policeman at the Ratnapura bus terminal, said today his clients’ 65-year-old mother had been arrested on Wednesday and remanded over false allegations of prostitution.

MR meets His Holiness Pope Francis

President Mahinda Rajapaksa met His Holiness Pope Francis 1 at the Vatican Apostolic Palace to present the official invitation to visit Sri Lanka in January. First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa accompanied the president.  

Vehicle restriction on E03

The use of the Katunayake-Colombo Expressway (E03) for vehicles entering Colombo from Kandy and Negombo Roads will be restricted from 7 am to 9 am during weekdays from October 7.

MR presents official invitation to the Pope

President Mahinda Rajapaksa handed over the official invitation to Pope Francis today at the Vatican Apostolic Palace for the Pope to visit Sri Lanka in January.

Video: A shout for media freedom

A group of journalists today staged a protest outside the Fort Railway Station over the assault on a journalist in Hali Ela during the Uva Provincial Council election. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Ratnapura woman demands Rs. 50 million

The 35-year old woman allegedly assaulted by a policeman at the Ratnapura bus stand filed a fundamental rights violation petition today seeking Rs 50 million as compensation.  

Gold medal for SL at Asian Games

Sri Lanka won the gold medal in the final match of Asian Games Men’s Cricket beating Afghanistan at Yeonhui Cricket Ground in South Korea today.

Video: Attempts to cause rift within DP: SF

Democratic Party (DP) Leader Sarath Fonseka today accused the main opposition political party had tried to woo some DP provincial councillors into its fold.

No softening of stand on SL: US

The US said that there has been no softening of its stand on Sri Lanka with regard to the human rights situation, as being reported in a section of the media.

More rains in next few days

The Meteorology Department said today the showery weather prevailing in the country would be enhanced due to the influence of Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).

Two drug rehabilitants found dead

Two of seven drug rehabilitants who had fled from a private drug rehabilitation centre in Dalugama, Seeduwa have been found dead in the Negombo lagoon, the Police said.