MR and Modi agree to strengthen relations

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral discussions in New York City and agreed to work towards further strengthening relations between the two countries.

Jayalalitha gets 4-year jail term

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has been sentenced to four years in jail and slapped a fine of Rs. 100 crore in the 18-year-old disproportionate assets case.

BJP pitches for new maritime policy to solve fishing row

The BJP has advocated the formulation of a new Maritime Indo-Lankan policy to deal with the fishermen issue.

Jayalalithaa guilty in assets case

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa was today held guilty in a disproportionate assets case. A special court in Bangalore dealt a big blow to the AIADMK leader, who has become the first chief minister to be convicted in a wealth case and faces up to seven years' jail term.

SL wins backing of 22 nations against UN rights probe

Sri Lanka has won the backing of 22 nations in its battle against the UN's war crimes probe into the country's human rights record during its brutal civil war.  

Donating blood

A blood donation campaign and a health camp organized by the Wijeyaba welfare society was held today at Kalapaluwawa Sri Siddhartha Vidyalaya. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Heavy rains in drought- hit areas

The Meteorology Department said today several drought affected areas such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Moneragala and Vavuniya districts received heavy rains during the last twenty four hours ending at 8.30 a.m. this morning.

Abbot commends SL on LLRC implementation

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott had credited Sri Lanka for its successful implementation of the LLRC recommendations and its ability to maintain a 7.8 per cent GDP growth.

Syrian national arrested at BIA with forged visa

A Syrian national who attempted to migrate to Germany using a forged visa was arrested yesterday by the CID at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), the Police said.

SL should show flexibility to resolve Tamils issue: BJP

BJP said the Sri Lankan government has to show flexibility for resolving the problems of ethnic Tamils in the country and it can be achieved only through devolution of power.

Ex-CJ cries foul over NDB action

Former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake’s Counsel complained to the Colombo Chief Magistrate that the NDB had not allowed her computer experts to inspect the log-in data of the accounts said to belong to Ms. Bandaranayakes and had demanded US$472, 200 from them.

Five SL fishermen arrested in India

Five Sri Lankan fishermen have been arrested by Indian Coast Guard for allegedly fishing illegally in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

NBRO warns of landslides

National Building Research Bureau (NBRO) warned of landslides in the Central Hills if the rains continue for another 24 hours. The districts of Kegalle, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya were identified as vulnerable areas.

Youth killed when descending mountain

A 26-year-old youth was killed while on a trip to Lakegala at Meemure in Udadumbara with some friends, police said.

Govt. to spend Rs.1,812 billion

The Government today presented the Appropriation Bill projecting its total expenditure for next year to be Rs.1812 billion.

VAT scam: 8 convicted get 20 years RI

The eight accused convicted in the VAT case were today sentenced to 20 years rigorous imprisonment by the Colombo High Court. The sentences imposed on the several charges they faced were to run concurrently.

Video: I will not bring politics to cricket: Marvan

The newly appointed Sri Lanka Cricket’s National Head Coach Marvan Attapattu said today he would not wish to bring in any politics to cricket and asserted that he would try his level best to stay away from politics.

S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike remembered

The 55th death anniversary of former Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike was held at the Bandaranaike Samadhi in Horagolla this morning. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Hand-in-hand

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are seen arriving at the venue of bilateral talks on the sidelines of the 69th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York yesterday. Pix by Presidential Media

Heavy falls expected over the island

The Meteorology Department today said thunder showers could be expected over the island in the afternoon and night.

DMK protests against MR’s participation in UNGA

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and its allies observed a “Black Day” protest across Tamil Nadu condemning Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s participation in the UN General Assembly meeting.

Court extends custody of Lankan ISI suspect

Suspected ISI operatives Arun Selvarajan, Sakir Hussain, Sivabalan, Mohammad Salim and Rafiq were on Thursday produced before a Poonamallee special court which extended their custody and remanded them in Puzhal prison.

Harin to be appointed Deputy National Organiser

Harin Fernando, the UNP chief minister aspirant of Uva, who polled the highest preferential votes, is to be appointed the deputy national organiser of the UNP on Sunday (28), UNP sources revealed.

Suspended Senanayake to resume domestic career

Suspended off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake will resume his domestic career at next month’s Mercantile Cricket tournament, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said on Thursday.

More Chinese subs in Oct. Nov.

A Chinese Song Class diesel-electric submarine was in Colombo during President Xi Jinping’s visit last week making it the first foreign port of call made by a Chinese submarine as well as the first confirmed appearance of a Chinese sub in the Indian Ocean.

MR meets Obama at US reception

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa attended a reception hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama and U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama  this evening in New York City.

MR assures protection for Muslims in SL to Madani

Discussing certain religious-motivated, isolated incidents that had occurred in the recent past, President Mahinda Rajapaksa assured the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Lyad Ameen Madani that the Government would take immediate action to deal with any incidents against the Muslim community.

Monkey business caught on camera

The proprietor of a large grocery in Mihiyangana opened the grocery store on last morning to find it had been ransacked by thieves.

Man arrested with gold biscuits worth Rs. 4.5mn at BIA

A 45-year-old man had been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on charges of having attempted to smuggle in gold biscuits worth Rs.4.5 million this afternoon, Customs Director and media spokesman Leslie Gamini said.

Four students struck by lightning

Four primary school students have been hospitalized after they went into shock upon being struck by lightning today. The four students from the Matale Wijaya Vidyalaya had been admitted to the Matale General Hospital.