Panneerselvam requests Modi to release fishermen

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, in his first letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after assuming charge, has sought the release of 20 fishermen who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy early this week.

Children show colours

An art competition was held at the Viharamaha Devi Park this morning in view of the World Children’s Day organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Department of Buddhist Affairs. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel

Jaya’s bail plea hearing adjourned again to Oct. 7

Former Tamil Nadu chief minister and AIADMK chief J. Jayalalithaa will continue to stay in jail as the special vacation bench of the Karnataka high court has adjourned her bail plea hearing to 7 October.

12 fishermen, two boats detained by India

Twelve Sri Lankan fishermen on board two fishing boats were taken into custody last morning at Tutucorin in Chennai while on their way back passing through the maritime boundaries of India and Malaysia, Fisheries Ministry Assistant Director Lal De Silva said.

US stance on SL softens

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is reported to have told the Cabinet meeting that his discussions with US Secretary of State John Kerry had made him realize that the US had softened its stance on Sri Lanka.

Falling tree kills trishaw driver

A 48-year-old three-wheel driver was killed when a tree fell on his three-wheeler at the Queens Road Junction at Thummulla along Thurstan Road, the Police said.

Indian arrested for overstaying visa

A 31-year-old Indian was arrested yesterday on charges of have overstayed his tourist visa and engaging in illegal trade in Nanu Oya, Police said.

Complaints related to private buses via SMS from today - Minister

The Private Transport Services Ministry said that it would launch a programme effective from  today for commuters to make private bus-related complaints via SMS through the hotline 071 655 0000.

Jaya's bail request to be heard today

The Karnataka High Court will hear the bail appeal filed by former Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa on Wednesday after her advocates moved the court seeking a special hearing.

Restrictions on land alienation to foreigners

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today instructed the Cabinet to enact the proposed bill restricting land alienation to foreigners as soon as possible, informed sources said.

SLN siezes gold and dinghy

The Northern Naval Command of the Sri Lanka Navy’s ‘Uttara’ intercepted a boat carrying one kg of gold biscuits hidden inside a dingy. Customs media spokesman Leslie Gamini said.

BBS - 969 sign pact on anti extremism

The Leader of Burma’s 969 oraganisation, Ven. Ashin Wirathu Thera and Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera today signed an agreement with the objective of building an Asian region without extremism.

Video: Go eat Kochchi, Nandimitra tells UNP

Deputy Minister of Higher Education Nandimitra Ekanayake told the media today that the Opposition must eat pungent Kochchi chilies to overcome the sorrow of their debacle at the Uva Provincial elections.

Nonis has not resigned: Keheliya

Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Britain, Chris Nonis has not tendered his resignation to the External Affairs Ministry as reported in the foreign media, Government Spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said today.

Revised electricity tariffs for domestic consumers

The Public Utilities Commission today announced the approved electricity tariffs structure which would be effective from September 16, in line with the government policy directive on the reduction of electricity tariffs.

Video: Govt. already violating election laws: UNP

UNP Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya said they would complain to Elections Commissioner tomorrow on the alleged election law violations committed by the SLFP even before a presidential election had been declared.

16 TN fishermen arrested by SL navy

Sixteen Indian fishermen found poaching in Sri Lankan waters had been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in the seas off North Mathagal in Jaffna yesterday, the Navy said.

Prison inmates to get telephone facilities

The Prison Department said today steps were being taken to provide telephone facilities for the prison inmates in collaboration with Sri Lanka Telecom.

Shashindra takes oaths

UPFA Chief Ministerial candidate Shashindra Rajapaksa is seen taking oaths as the Uva Provincial Council Chief Minister before President Mahinda Rajapaksa.  (Pix by Presidential Media)

Shooting at Dehiwala leaves two injured

Two youths sustained serious injuries when two unidentified men opened fire at them in the Pokuna Road area in Dehiwala last night.

Jayalalithaa seeks bail

Seeking immediate bail, jailed AIADMK supremo J. Jayalalithaa yesterday moved the Karnataka High Court challenging her conviction in the disproportionate assets case which cost her the chief minister's job and disqualified her from being an MLA.

Two Lankans nabbed with gold worth Rs.3.4 mn

Two Sri Lankans were arrested at the Katunayake Airport when attempting to smuggle 699 grams of gold bars and biscuits worth Rs.3.4 million. The contraband was concealed in the handle of their hand luggage.

60 shoes with Dharmachakra-shaped buckle

A 41-year-old shop-owner was arrested yesterday at Balangoda when he was found in possession of thirty pairs of shoes with the buckles in the form of the Dharmachakra, police said.

MR to discuss snap poll

With speculation rife about a snap presidential election early next year, President Mahinda Rajapaksa will hold a discussion with the leaders of the constituent parties of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) after today’s Cabinet meeting, Daily Mirror learns.  

BASL seeks expert opinion on MR’s third term

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has sought legal opinion from foreign constitutional experts on whether the Constitution allows President Mahinda Rajapaksa to contest for a third term, a senior member of the BASL said yesterday.  

Navy seize 1.7 kilos gold hidden in dingy

Navy seized a haul of 1.730 kilogrammes of gold which was hidden inside a fiber glass dingy on the beach in the Madagalthurei area of Kankasanthurai (KKS) yesterday.  

Students protest

The Medical Faculty Students’ Action Committee today staged a protest in front of the Hultsdorf Court Complex against the alleged privatisation of education. They urged the authorities that education is not for sale. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

W’pola girl seeks compensation from police

The girl who was allegedly harassed by a youth at the Wariyapola Bus Terminus filed a fundamental rights petition against the police officers seeking one million rupees as compensation.  

Harin failed the challenge: Gammanpila

The UNP Chief Ministerial candidate  at the recently held Uva Provincial elections Harin Fernando had not followed conditions required to win the challenge he was thrown at,  Western Provincial Council Minister Udaya Gammanpila said today.  

16 die as TN reels under verdict

At least 16 people committed suicide or died of cardiac arrest across Tamil Nadu after a special court in Bangalore convicted AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa in the 66.65 crore disproportionate assets case on Saturday and sentenced her to four years in prison.