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.

103 year-old woman killed in Balangoda

In an unfortunate incident, a 103-year-old woman died following an assault by a teenager in the Egoda-Weleboda area in Balangoda today, the Police said.

Traffic jam around Borella

Heavy traffic was reported around Borella and Maradana due to a protest march by a group of university medical students towards the Health Ministry, the Police said.

18-year-old Lankan gang raped in UAE

An 18-year-old Lankan girl has been gang raped in UAE, General Manager of the Foreign Employment Bureau Mangala Randeniya said.

Video: Thai women released on bail

Colombo Fort Magistrate today released on bail the six Thai women and two Sri Lankans who were arrested during a raid on an alleged brothel at Kollupitiya last week.

Woman killed in accident

A 55-year-old woman was killed and her husband was injured when a navy bus collided head on with a three-wheeler at 162-milepost on Kantale-Tricomalee Road early this morning, police said.

Russia to sign extradition treaties with SL

Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the Ministry of Justice to sign extradition agreements with Laos and Sri Lanka, according to a statement published on Russia's official website of legal information on Wednesday.  

Video: MR blasts UNHRC

Sri Lanka has also become an unfortunate victim of ill-conceived agendas of some in the Human Rights Council," President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in his address at the UN General Assembly in New York.

KSA taking steps to rein in Asian wages

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is taking steps to curb the increase in the monthly salaries of unskilled workers from Asian countries, such as Sri Lanka, India, Philippines, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, China and Afghanistan.

British Airways cease Flight operations to Colombo

British Airways today announced that it will cease its operations onwards to Colombo from March 28 next year.

Yal Devi express derailed

Train service on the Northern line came to a standstill this evening when the Colombo bound Yal Devi express train derailed between Randenigama and Maho Railaway Stations causing extensive damage to the railway line. Pix by Sanjeewani Ariyaratne

Marvan appointed Head Coach

Sri Lanka former Cricket Captain Marvan Attapattu has been appointed as Sri Lanka Cricket National Head Coach for a two-year term with immediate effect, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said.

Vaas further remanded for three more months

Colombo High Court Trial-at-Bar hearing on the killing of Bambalapitiya businessman Mohamed Shiyam today re-remanded former DIG Vaas Gunawardena and four others for three more months.