Merit

The annual alms giving of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation was held at the Corporation premises in Colombo yesterday to mark its 32nd anniversary. One thousand monks participated at the alms giving ceremony. Blessing were invoked on President Mahinda Rajapaksa, whose birthday falls on Tuesday, Novembetr 18. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: Abolition of EP has become a hawkers’ play: Wimal

The abolition of executive presidency today has become a ploy used by hawkers who are trying to satisfy the needs of the LTTE Diaspora, National Freedom Front Leader and Minister Wimal Weerawansa said.

India beat SL by 3 wickets in 5th ODI

India defeated Sri Lanka by three wickets in the fifth and final One-day International here today.

‘Kasuri’ no more

Veteran journalist and award-winning novelist Karunadasa Suriyarachchi - popularly known as ‘Kasuri’ passed away today after a brief illness, Government Information Department said.

Bowser kills two girls – injures six others

Two young girls who were on their way home from daham pasala died this evening in Anuradhapura when a water bowser crashed into a bus halt.

Signing of Opp. Parties MoU postponed

The signing of the MoU, which was to be conducted today between Opposition political parties to come to an agreement on the policies to be adhered to by the Common Opposition Candidate, has been postponed due to the illness of the Ven. Maduluwawe Sobhitha Thera, sources said.

Rajapaksa lies about me-Solheim

Former Norwegian Special Peace Envoy Erick Solheim today rejected President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s claims that he was covertly financing the Tamil Tigers.

SL designated to Chair 2015 Meeting on the CCW

Video: Entire city under CCTV for Pope: Police

A special security plan is to be implemented before the arrival of Pope Francis in January, the Police Department said today.

Video: Pay traffic fines via mobile phones

The motorists would be able to pay highway-code violation fines via mobile phones before the end of this year, Police Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said.

Video: Three killed in accident

At least three car passengers had been killed when a tipper collided head –on with the car at Thittawella in Kurunegala on the Puttam-Kurunegala Main Road a short while ago, the Police said.

Lankan refugees begin fast

Twenty-six, including 25 Sri Lankan refugees, who have been quarantined at a special camp at the Central Prison in Tiruchi, started a fast on Saturday, demanding the early completion of the cases against them.

MR alleges Norway funded LTTE

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has demanded that the Norwegian government must probe the funding of the LTTE during the island's three-decade civil war, alleging that Norway financed Tamil Tigers.

Asia’s travel bloggers in SL

MR to attend SAARC Summit in Nepal

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will leave for Nepal on November 25 to take part in the 18th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)Summit, to be held in Kathmandu, foreign media reported.

Seevali Ratwatte passes away

Dr. Seevali Ratwatte, a brother of former Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike, passed away at a private hospital this morning, family said.

Allowances of local politicians increased

The allowances paid to members of all local government bodies including Pradeshiya Sabhas and Urban Councils will be increased, Local Government and Provincial Councils Minister A.L.M. Athaullah informed parliament today

CMC Rs 800 m out-of-pocket on CHOGM preparations

Even though a year has passed since The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) was held in Colombo, the Colombo Municipality is yet to receive Rs. 800 million it spent on beautification and development projects across the city from the Treasury.

Gold Smuggled from SL seized in TN

Gold bars weighing 18.5 kg smuggled from Sri Lanka were seized by the Department of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials near Thiruthuraipoondi in Tamil Nadu yesterday.

No impact to SL from Indonesian quake

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said the 7.3-magnitude earthquake which struck 150 kilometers off the coast of Kota Ternate, Indonesia had no impact on Sri Lanka.

Former presidents misused executive presidency: MR

A vociferous campaign is being carried out to abolish the executive presidency or to reduce its powers but no one said a word when the country was betrayed by using executive powers and when some 650 uniformed policemen were ordered to surrender to the LTTE at Kattanakudi, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

Nonis should have complained to NYPD: Kiriella

United National Party (UNP) MP Lakshman Kiriella, who commented on the assault on Dr. Chris Nonis, the former Sri Lankan High Commissioner in London, said a complaint should have been lodged with New York Police Department instead of waiting for redress from the Sri Lankan authorities.

Envoys summoned over ‘unsatisfactory development’

The heads of diplomatic missions in Colombo have been called for a meeting on Wednesday to brief them on what the External Affairs Ministry describes as 'unsatisfactory development' regarding the Investigations on Sri Lanka by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Grade-5: Revised pass marks on Monday

The revised pass marks of students who sat the Grade-5 Scholarship Examination will be announced on November 17, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane told Parliament today.

Itinerary of Pope’s visit to SL released

The Vatican on Friday released the itinerary for the pope's trip to Sri Lanka, where he will canonize Sri Lanka's first saint, the Rev. Joseph Vaz, a 17th-century missionary credited with reviving the Catholic faith in the country.

24-hour water cut in Colombo

A 24-hour water cut would be imposed in Manthrimulla, Kohuwala, Nugegoda, Wellawatta and Kirulapana from 9 am on Saturday (15) to 9 am on Sunday (16) due to maintenance works, the Water Board announced today.

All smile

Roads flooded; heavy traffic in Colombo

Several roads in Colombo were flooded because of heavy rains and there was traffic congestion on most of the roads, police said. They said Horton Place, Imbanwala Junction, Cotta Road, Nelum Pokuna Mawatha, Armour Street,Thunmulla and Castle Street opposite Devi Balika Vidyalaya were under water.

SL sapphire fetches $17.6 m in Swiss auction

A Swiss auction has set a new world record for jewelry sales, Christie's said on Wednesday, led by a Ceylon sapphire known as the "Blue Belle of Asia" which alone sold for an unprecedented 16.96 million Swiss francs ($17.6 million).

Sobitha Thera hospitalised

Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera has been hospitalised this morning following an illness, sources said.