I admit: Vasudeva

I accept the mistakes made by the government when it comes to National unity, National Languages and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanyakara said while declaring open the Ministry’s Kilinochchi office yesterday

UNP MPs to check oil pipelines

A group of United National Party (UNP) parliamentarians are expected to undertake a fact-finding mission on Thursday to ascertain the seriousness of the breakdown in the pipe lines at the Sapugaskanda oil refinery, party sources said yesterday.

Video: We would have to pay demurrages: Minister

Petroleum Industries Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said today even though the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) would have to pay demurrages for the ships anchored due to the breakdown of the buoy carrying crude oil to the Sapugaskanda oil refinery, the Ministry would not burden the people by increasing fuel prices due to this.

SL concerned over conflict in Gaza

Sri Lanka today called upon the concerned parties to exercise utmost restraint in a bid to halt the violence and ensure a climate conducive to the recommencement of negotiations for a lasting solution to the conflict in Gaza.

Video: Attempt on my life: Upul

An attempt had allegedly been made on the life of Sri Lanka Bar Association (BASL) President Upul Jayasuriya by two men who followed him on a motorcycle today, the DM Online learns.

Murder in Nuwara Eliya: Five sentenced to death

The five accused found guilty of murdering Govinda Logeshwaran and robbing jewellery worth Rs.750, 000 from a jewellery store at Nuwara Eliya in 2000 were today sentenced to death by the Nuwara Eliya High court.

Video: Expel Hakeem, calls BBS

The Bodhu Bala Sena (BBS) today urged the government to expel Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem from the government over the recent statements he had made against what he called “Buddhist extremism and the need to control it.”

ADB lends 300 mln USD to SL

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $300 million dual-tranche loan to help Sri Lanka scale up its use of clean energy and cut its reliance on costly petroleum oil for electricity generation.

Longest ship at Magampura

The 300-metre long vessel, Eurydice Darrived at the Hambanthota Magampura Harbour for refueling today. It was the longest ship to arrive at this harbor so far. The ship with a depth of 19 metres was supplied with 1,400 metric tonnes of IF-380 fuel. Seven vessels had been refueled at the harbour since the opening of the terminal. Pix by Sanath Gamage

Dehiowita PS chairman arrested

Dehiowita Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Amila Ruwan Kandearachchi is reported to have surrendered to the police this morning over charges that he had July 4, forcibly taken away a bus seized by a leasing company after he had defaulted on the lease payments.

Suspect arrested with 9kg of heroin

A suspect was arrested with nine kilogrammes of heroin worth Rs.63 million from Madiwela area by the Police Narcotics Bureau last night, Police said

Karunanidhi gets four weeks to respond

The Supreme Court on Monday granted four weeks’ time to DMK president M. Karunanidhi and the Tamil Nadu government to file their response to the Centre’s reply that Katchatheevu could not be retrieved from Sri Lanka.

Indian Air Force Chief due here

In a bid to boost bilateral military ties, Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha will go on a three-day visit to Sri Lanka from Tuesday, a tour that could trigger political opposition from parties and groups in TN.

MR telephones Mahmoud Abbas

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has telephoned Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday and conveyed Sri Lanka’s condolences to those who lost their lives in Gaza, Presidential spokesman Mohan Samaranayaka said.

Senanayake exceeds 43 degrees

Though Sri Lanka players and Sri Lanka Cricket officials have been making a big fuss over Sachithra Senanayake’s reporting for a suspected illegal action by ICC match officials during Sri Lanka’s recent tour of England, tests conducted by the ICC accredited laboratory in Cardiff has proved that the star spinner had extended his elbow as much as a whopping 43 degrees, way beyond the allowed legal limit of 15 degrees.

SL court keeps five in Australia asylum case in detention

A Sri Lankan court on Monday ordered that five suspected ringleaders of a people-smuggling operation remain in custody for two more weeks, in a case that has fuelled controversy over Australia's tough line on immigration.

Red notice issued for suspects arrest

Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya today issued red notice for the arrest of S.D.T. Christine Dilhari of No 2, Kotikawatte Shopping Complex, Angoda for aiding and abetting the main suspects in the Korean Job scam by communicating with the victims and getting the victim’s cash deposited in the suspects bank accounts.

Posh new office for Customs

The newly built Headquarters of Sri Lanka Customs was declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Fort today. Pix President’s Media

Two Turkish men, Ukrainian woman remanded

Two Turkish men and a Ukrainian woman who were produced in a Colombo Court on charges of having carried out an ATM-skimming racket in Colombo were yesterday remanded till July 16.

Thou shall not…

Strict legal action would be taken against those who spit betel chew in public places. Police Spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said legal action would also be taken against those who release cows into main roads.

Mahela announces retirement from Test cricket

Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) said veteran cricketer Mahela Jayawardene has announced his retirement from Test cricket by handing over his resignation letter to SLC today.

Boy killed in Moratuwa accident

A seven- year-old boy has succumbed to injuries suffered after he was knocked down by a vehicle driven by an Air Force Squadron Leader in Moratuwa this morning, the Police said.

Winners of Wijeya

The Annual Graduation Ceremony of the Wijeya Graphics was held at the BMICH, Colombo on Saturday. Picture shows Minister of Education Bandula Gunawardena awarding a certificate to a student while Parliamentarian Ruwan Wijewardene looks on. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Sachithra to undergo intense coaching

Sri Lanka's cricket authorities decided to send off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake for intense coaching after the International Cricket Council (ICC) ruled his bowling action illegal and banned him from international matches.

Dayasiri in another fiasco

Leonard Fonseka, a UNP supporter who operated a broadcasting centre in Kuliyapitiya. had lodged a complaint with the North Western Province DIG on July 11 alleging that supporters of North Western Chief Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera had tried to kidnap him

Harin’s response

UNP MP Harin Fernando said in response to Mr. Jaysekera’s apology that it was natural for Mr. Jayaskera to tender an apology as he must be ashamed of himself- being a chief minister

Dayasiri apologises to the people

North Western Province Chief Minister Dayasiri Jaysekera tendered an apology to the people of the country and to those of the province he represents for the unfortunate incident that took place at a recent talk show on TV -- where he got into a brawl with the UNP MP Harin Fernando.

New law on NGOs is ready

Against the backdrop of some organisations defying the regulations governing NGO activities, the government has decided to enact a law, before the end of this year, making it mandatory for all of them to register with the National Secretariat on NGOs.

FIFA World Cup: Germany are Champions of the World

Germany have emerged as the Champions of the FIFA World Cup, Brazil 2014, after a hard fought 120 minute battle with Argentina at the Maracana.

Independent Arcade declared open by President

The Independent Arcade was declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa this evening. The Arcade which is a commercial complex was constructed under the programme of converting Colombo into attractive city by the Urban Development Authority. Pix by Manoj Ratnayeka