TN fishermen call off Pamban bridge siege agitation

Rameswaram fishermen, who have been on an indefinite strike to secure their boats impounded in Sri Lanka, dropped their plan to lay siege to the Pamban bridge, scheduled on Saturday, following appeals from officials

Libya migrant boat sinks with more than 170 on board

A wooden boat carrying up to 200 migrants has sunk just one kilometer (half a mile) off the Libyan coast, the coast guard said on Saturday, and most passengers were feared drowned

Otara, Mahela, Sanga etc.. take up Ice Bucket Challenge

Several local celebrities including politicians, singers and cricketers took a dousing during the past few days in the name of raising funds for various charities by being part of the Ice Bucket Challenge that has taken up the online sphere by storm. 

300 families affected by inclement weather: DMC

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said today 1267 people from 300 families have been affected by the prevailing inclement weather.

Sri Lanka must ensure justice for Tamils: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today urged Sri Lanka to ensure "equality, dignity, justice and self-respect" for its Tamil minority.

Sri Lankan detained at BIA with gold

A 35-year-old Sri Lankan who attempted to smuggle two pieces of gold slabs valued at Rs 1.1 million was detained at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday and handed over to Customs at Airport Departure lounge.

India insists on 13A as way forward for Lanka

Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told a visiting delegation of Sri Lankan Tamil Members of Parliament on Friday that New Delhi continues to look at the 13th amendment as the framework for a political solution in the island nation.

Sea tragedy: one dead, one missing

A 15-year-old child went missing while his nine-year-old brother died on admission to the Tangalle Hospital when they went for a sea bath off Tangalle last evening, police said.

Two brothers killed in head-on collision

Two brothers aged 23 and 26 from Bambalapitiya were killed in a head-on collision between the car they were travelling in and a private bus at Kosgama in Miriswatte early this morning, police said.

Prompt action could have saved my wife-Husband

At the inquiry by Colombo Additional Magistrate Augusta Atappatu into the death of Dr. P.A Priyanganie while undergoing beautification surgery, her husband said his wife could have been saved if she was promptly treated and the clinic properly equipped with proper equipment and skilled staff.

Aranyani declines funds from Malsha’s Ice bucket challenge

Aranyani, a local animal welfare trust, to which the funds raised by UPFA western provincial councillor Malsha Kumaratunga’s Ice Bucket challenge were to be donated, has declined the donation.

What a weight

A vehicle on Duplication Road in Kollupitiya was crushed under a tree which was uprooted by the heavy rains and strong winds today. A three-wheeler was also damaged in the incident injuring the driver. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Video: Queries over Embassy spending on MPs

The Sri Lankan Missions in the United States and Britain have made payments amounting to millions of US dollars to cover the expenses of government MPs and ministers visiting these countries, though there was no special allocation made for the purpose, Parliament were informed today.

Does it smell good?

Pro food – Pro pack 2014 which showcases international processed food, beverage packaging and agricultural business began today at the BMICH. It will end on Sunday (24). Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Hirunika takes up Ice Bucket Challenge

Promptly accepting fellow Councillor Malsha Kumaratunga’s challenge, UPFA provincial councillor Hirunika Premachandra has participated in the Ice Bucket Challenge and posted a video online

Janaka Perera killing: 2nd accused pleads guilty

The second of the two accused, indicted by the Anuradhapura High Court on charges of assassinating Major General Janaka Perera and 29 others in a suicide bombing, pleaded guilty to the charge before North-Western Provincial High Court Judge Sunanda Kumara Ratnayaka.

Two men die inside well

Two people who had climbed down a well in Mahawela this morning had died from breathing difficulties, the police said.

TNA seek Indian help to resolve Tamil issue

A delegation of Tamil National Alliance (TNA) called on Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on today and said India can play a major role in resolving the ethnic Tamil problem in the island nation.

Flooded …

Several Roads in Colombo and Galle were under water from the heavy rains that lashed in Colombo and several other parts of the country today. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Collapsing earth mound kills two

Two people were killed when an earth mound collapsed on them while they were excavating a well at Akuramboda in Matale, police said.

Heavy traffic in Kollupitiya

Heavy traffic was reported in Kollupitiya after a tree fell on a three-wheeler and a car on the Duplication Road near the British Council, police said. Pictures

Heavy rainfall in several areas

Negombo had received the highest rainfall of 137mm during the past 24 hours ending at 8.30 this morning while a rainfall of 136mm was reported from Katunayake, the Meteorology Department said today.

Kolonnnawa UC Chairman gets bail

Kolonnnawa Urban Council Chairman Ravindra Udayashantha who was arrested and remanded on assault charges was released on a surety bail of Rs.100,000 today by the Colombo Additional Magistrate.

Bronze for SL-China pair at summer Youth Olympic

Sri Lanka’s Sachin Dias and Bingjiao He of China clinched a historic bronze medal in the Badminton mixed double at the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China today.

Salman gifts Audi to Jacqueline

Indian media reports said Bollywood actor Salman Khan had gifted an Audi car to Sri Lankan beauty queen and actress Jacqueline Fernandez.

lslamic terrorism threat to SL : Gotabaya

In a paper published in the latest issue of the US Defence Department’s journal “Prism”, Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has reiterated his belief that Islamic terrorism poses a threat to Sri Lanka.

To Uni on MP’s letter

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday questioned the admission of a student to Ruhunu University on the recommendation UPFA MP Namal Rajapaksa.

On-arrival visa suspended for four African countries

The on-arrival visa facility for visitors has been suspended, with regard to four African countries, with immediate effect. This has been done as a precautionary measure to prevent the entry of Ebola virus, the External Affairs Ministry said.

Remove GK director: Protestors

An organisation calling itself the, “Voice of Golden Key Investors for Justice’ today staged a protest march near the Temple Trees urging that the Golden Key Director be removed over corruption allegations. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: Malsha wants MR to take up Ice bucket challenge

Western Provincial Councillor, Malsha Kumarathunga has challenged President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Minister Mervyn Silva and fellow Provincial Councillor Hirunika Premachandra to take the “Ice bucket challenge” which went viral in the world within the past few weeks