SL must return boats along with fishermen: Jaya tells Modi

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa wrote yet another letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the big point she underlined in her letter was that despite the Modi government’s success in securing the release of fishermen so far, the Sri Lankan authorities continue to hold the fishermen’s boats.

BJP’s Dr. Seshadri rejects reports

National Convener of Foreign Policy Cell of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Dr. Seshadri Chari has rejected the news item carried in the Indian news Agency – PTI quoting him as saying that Sri Lanka should resolve the Tamil issue if trade ties between the two countries are to improve.

Two Indians arrested for illegal trading

Two Indian nationals were arrested yesterday for overstaying their tourist visa, violating immigration laws and engaging in illegal trade in Ottumadam area in Jaffna, police said.

Blatter postpones Sri Lanka visit

FIFA president Joseph Sepp Blatter has postponed his scheduled visit to Sri Lanka by two months, Sri Lanka Football Federation president Ranjith Rodrigo told “Daily Mirror” yesterday

Stolen Relic of St . Sebastian found

The Relic of Saint Sebastian which was brought from Italy and kept at St.Sebastian's church in  Kandana was found with a suspect who stole the relic last night, police said.

Police arrest Punchi Borella Otha

Punchi Borella Otha alias Wasantha Sanjeewa Abeyweera who was wanted in connection with the alleged transportation of 17 kilos of heroin concealed in a coffin from Borella to Minuwangoda was arrested by the Borella police last evening.

Four year old boy kidnapped

Police are investigating the kidnapping of a four year old boy named Damindu Yasen Ekanayake and an attack on his parents in Katugampalagama village in the Meegalewa Division.

Norway not so keen on SL: TNA

Norway, which facilitated the peace process between the then Government and the LTTE is now giving less emphasis to the peace building process in Sri Lanka, a TNA politician said yesterday.

Disable-friendly buses in Colombo soon

A fleet of luxury and semi luxury buses from Colombo to the suburbs with facilities for differently-abled people to embark and disembark without a hassle will be operated by the SLTB and a purchase order has been placed with an Indian company, Transport Minister Kumara Welgama said.

Rare Lankan leopards born in French zoo

Two rare Sri Lankan leopard cubs have been born in a zoo in northern France, a boost for a sub-species that numbers only about 700 in the wild, the head of the facility said Tuesday.

Lankan workers among unpaid Qatar WC builders

Sri Lankan, Nepalese and Indian workers who migrated to Qatar to build luxury offices for the 2022 World Cup organizers have reportedly not been paid 13 months' wages.

Japanese coastguards cleaning Mt. beach

Crew members of the Japanese coastguard vessel PLH 22 Yashima assist Sri Lankan counterparts as they help clean the beach at Mount Lavinia south of Colombo today. The Japanese vessel called on Colombo for a goodwill and supply mission and is taking part in community work. AFP

Dates confirmed for Pope’s trip to SL

The Holy See Press Office issued a communique Tuesday confirming the dates of the Apostolic Trip of the Holy Father in Sri Lanka and the Philippines,Vatican Radio announced.

Anura Kumara discharged

Janatha Vimukthi Peramua (JVP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake who was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital following an accident was discharged this evening

Parliament canteen staffer drowns in Benthara River

A member of the Parliament canteen staff is reported to have drowned in the Benthara River today while they were having a party on a floating restaurant on the Benthara River, police said.

SF visits Anura Kumara

Democratic Party leader Sarath Fonseka today visited the JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake who was receiving treatment at the National Hospital.

Malinga abandons his SL team

Sri Lankan star Lasith Malinga has confirmed that he would represent his Indian Premier League (IPL) side Mumbai Indians at the forthcoming Champions League T20 tournament.

50 Indian fishermen arrested

Fifty Indian fishermen from Nagapattinam found poaching in Sri Lankan waters had been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in the seas off Point Pedro Monday night, the Navy said

Video: NFF to contest Uva polls on its own

The National Freedom Party (NFF) has decided to contest the upcoming elections to the Uva Provincial Council on its own, Party Leader Wimal Weerawansa said today.

Lankans caught entering Texas from Mexico

A group of Sri Lankans were arrested by the US’s National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) when they entered Texas from Mexico illegally with a group of Bangladesh and Nepal nationals, over the weekend, US media reports said.

Eid Mubarak!

The annual Eid-Ul-Fitr prayers conducted by the Haji Hafeez Eshan Patel Under the auspices of the Memon Association of Sri Lanka was held today at the Galle Face Green in view of the Ramazan Festival. Pix by Samantha Perera

US says BBS has strong links with Govt

United States in its latest International Religious Freedom Report for 2013 stated that the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) has strong link with the Sri Lankan government.

JVP leader’s cab driver arrested

JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s cab driver was arrested on charges of reckless driving, following yesterday’s accident in which Mr. Dissanayake was injured, Police said

Biometric cards for SL Tamil refugees soon

The State government has decided to issue biometric cards to Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in camps to eliminate any scope for irregularities in disbursal of cash dole.

Chairman’s room locked: Committee to get back docs

A committee will be appointed to retrieve the documents lying inside the office room of the Tangalle Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman amidst allegations that the Chairman who is in jail now had locked his office and taken away the keys.

Eid Mubarak

The Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lankan today organised a colourful Chand Raat /Ramazan Eid Function at the Galadari Hotel in Colombo. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Ranil meets Anura in hospital

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today visited the JVP leader who was receiving treatment at the National Hospital. Sources said Mr. Dissanayake had a cordial chat with Mr. Wickremesinghe to whom he had explained the ordeal he had in Ratnapura this evening.

Asylum-seekers to seek compensation

A group of 157 asylum-seekers held for weeks on the high seas on an Australian customs vessel will seek compensation for their treatment, their lawyers said Monday

Video: Ranil visits tuition class

Opposition United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe this evening urged the GCE Advanced Level students together with their tuition masters to join in efforts to change Sri Lankan society. PICTURES

JVP leader injured in accident

Janatha Vimukthi Peramua (JVP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s vehicle collided with a tipper coming in the opposite direction when the driver had attempted to overtake the vehicle at Kiriella on the Ratnapura-Panadura main road this morning. He was admitted to the Ratnapura Hospital and later transferred to the national Hospital in Colombo. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja