Ramaphosa arrives here

South Africa’s Special Envoy Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Sri Lanka today.  He is expected to hold talks with the government, the opposition and other groups in an initiative to find a lasting solution to the national question PICTURES

Ven.Vijitha thera at Court

Ven. Watareka Vijitha thera, who was in the remand custody for making a false statement and misleading the police is seen at the Panadura Magistrate Court today. Pix by Siri Mahabellana

BBS warned against insulting lawyers

The Colombo Fort Magistrate today warned Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera to stop making defamatory comments against lawyers

Man sets fire to his house; child burned to death

A two-year-old girl child had been killed when a man torched his own house on fire over a personal dispute in Kiribangala, Kuruwita yesterday, the Police said.Pictures

Husband, wife killed in motorcycle accident

A husband and wife were killed when their motor bicycle collided with Police vehicle in Ekassa, Amabalanthota early this morning, the Police said.

Australia says 41 asylum seekers handed back to SL at sea

Australia said on Monday 41 asylum seekers had been handed to Sri Lankan authorities at sea, another step that has galvanized opposition to the government's hardline policy against illegal arrivals

Katchatheevu issue has to be revisited by Centre: BJP

Virtually endorsing the ruling AIADMK’s demand for retrieval of Katchatheevu, BJP on Sunday said the issue of Indian sovereignty over the islet, ceded to Sri Lanka by India in 1974, has to be revisited

Malaka and I are poles apart

SLFP Matara Organiser and Deputy Minister Sanath Jayasuriya, in an interview with the Daily Mirror said Malaka Silva would not pose a challenge if he was to contest from Matara. Mr. Jayasuriya also said Mr. Silva and he were poles apart.

South Africa beat Sri Lanka

South African captain AB de Villiers and teammates leave the field after winning the first One Day International cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium today. AFP

Fire at Hampden Lane

A fire broke out at a hardware shop located on Hampden Lane, Wellawatte a short while ago. The fire brigade is currently responding to the fire, Fire Brigade officials said

Man burnt inside his lorry

In an unfortunate incident, a driver, who had locked his lorry and slept inside the vehicle, died when a fire had gutted the lorry in Kegalle this evening, police said.

Met : Beware of high winds

Despite the temperature in many areas going upto 39c degrees in Sri Lanka, the Department of Meteorology yesterday predicted that wind speeds may increase along the Western slopes in the Central Hills accompanied by thunder storms and showers.

Two teenagers drown in Batticaloa

A 15-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy from Eravur died after drowning off the Batticaloa seas today. Five children who were rescued were hospitalized. Pictures

SA secure solid win in Colombo

South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 75 runs with just under 10 overs to spare in the first one-day international in Colombo today.

Unconditional pardon for Uni. Student

The suspension and studentship cancellations imposed upon more than 200 undergraduates of the Sri Jayawardenapura University have been unconditionally revoked by the Vice Chancellor of the University today.

Video: Association President challenges to disprove charges

The Lanka Private Buss Owners Association (LPBOA) today said the Western Province Road Passenger Transport Authority (RPTA) had illegally given out 82 bus permits since February last year.

Indian govt to stick to UPA's stand in Rajiv killers’ case

Keeping aside political differences, the Indian central government has decided to maintain the UPA regime's stand in the Supreme Court and oppose Jayalalithaa government's February 19 decision to release seven life imprisonment convicts in Rajiv Gandhi assassination case by remitting their remaining jail term.

Dubai Police reunite jailed Lankan dad with daughter

Dubai’s police reversed their role of jailing criminals and acted this time to help a defendant regain his freedom so he will reunite with his four-year-old daughter, whose mother had left the country

Derailed...

Two compartments of a train heading to Colombo from Matara had derailed near the Bambalapitiya railway station yesterday. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel and H.M Dharmapala

Neymar speaks in tearful video after back injury

Brazil's world cup star Neymar is convinced that Brazil can win the world cup without him. He was ruled out of the tournament on Friday night when he fractured a verterbra after being kneed in the back by Colombia's Juan Zuniga

20 Indian fishermen arrested

Twenty Indian fishermen found poaching in Sri Lankan waters had been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in the seas off Talaimannar last night, the Navy said

Two foreigners arrested with heroin

Two foreign nationals were arrested by the Excise Department in Mount Lavinia yesterday for allegedly possessing heroin

Fort bound train derails in Bambalapitiya

Two compartments of a train heading to Colombo from Matara has derailed near the Bambalapitiya railway station injuring at least three persons, this evening, police said.

Malaysian authorities hunt for more LTTE members

Malaysian authorities are on the hunt for more members of the outlawed LTTE after a crackdown on the Tamil militant group led to the arrest of seven persons in the last two months in the country.

Australian Immigration Minister due here

Australian Immigration Minister Scott Morrison was set to arrive in Sri Lanka on Wednesday (09), Sri Lanka External Affairs Ministry confirmed today.

Take meaningful steps – US to SL

The United States yesterday called on the Sri Lankan Government to take meaningful, concrete steps to address outstanding concerns related to democratic governance, reconciliation, justice, and accountability.

Over 4,200 Lankans on UNHCR list in Malaysia

There are 4,280 Sri Lankan refugees and asylum-seekers registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia.

China’s President set for historic Sri Lanka visit

China’s President Xi Jinping will this year become the first Chinese head of state to visit Sri Lanka in three decades, underlining Beijing’s renewed push to deepen its strategic and economic presence in the neighbourhood and in the Indian Ocean.

Govt to maintain database on unruly drivers

The government is to compile a computer database of unruly drivers and suspend their licences if they accumulate too many negative marks, Transport Minister Kumara Welgama said yesterday.

Video: UNP visits Nagoda Hospital

UNP parliamentarians Ajith P. Perera, Ruwan Wijewardane, Eran Wickramaratne and R. Yogarajan who visited the Nagoda Hospital are seen checking the hospital kitchen. This was their fourth fact-finding mission. They assured Hospital authorities that they would raise the issues they identified in parliament and outside. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana