Video: One is enough: Gemunu

The existence of two transport Ministries had caused the degeneration of the public transport industry and therefore both ministries should be streamlined into one formal ministry, the Lanka Private Bus Owners Association (LPBOA) said today

SLAF fights Hunnasgiriya fire

A Mi-17 helicopter of the Sri Lanka Air Force equipped with a 2600 liter bambi bucket had been deployed from Rathmalana to help douse wild fires at around Hunnasgiriya

Airplane Crashes in Iran;at least 40 dead

An airplane carrying 40 passengers crashed in a residential area after taking off from Teheran’s Mehrabad airport on Sunday morning, Iran’s official IRNA news agency reported.

Lankan maid raped by 'trusted' cab driver

A Sri Lankan housemaid was abducted and raped by a taxi driver who was described by her friend as a “trusted” man, a newspaper said on Sunday

Nikini full moon Poya day

The picture shows a devotee at the Gangarama temple taking part in religious observances to mark Nikini full moon Poya today. Pix by Kushan pathiraja

Give arms training to fishermen for self-defense: Nedumaran

If the Indian Navy “continues to fail to protect” Tamil Nadu fishermen from attacks by the Sri Lankan navy, the State government should then impart weapons training to fishermen to defend themselves from being hunted down on the high seas, Tamil Nationalist Movement leader, Pazha. Nedumaran has said

Second to Don…

Kumar Sangakkara scored his 10th double-century during the first test match against Pakistan, Galle today. Pix by AFP and Pradeep Dilrukshana

Everyone is second to Don - Sanga

“I think everyone is second to Don (Bradman),” said Sri Lanka’s star batsman Kumar Sangakkara after getting his tenth double century during the first test match against visiting Pakistan today.

Annual Wariga Sabha

Sri Lankan Veddas, indigenous community held its annual Wariga Sabha (Council of the Clan) on yesterday coinciding with the World Indigenous day in Uva Province with colorful tribal dancing and songs. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Rains expected in drought-hit areas

The Meteorology Department said today that thundershowers could be expected in drought-hit areas of the Northern, North-Central, Uva and Eastern provinces during the afternoon or evening.

Gold smuggling attempt to India foiled

The Marine police of the Coastal Security Group (CSG) in India have arrested six people, including four fishermen, who brought 1.5 kg of smuggled gold bars from Sri Lanka and seized the gold.

Aussie bound Lankan refugees held in India

At least nine Sri Lankan Tamil refugees who attempted to illegally ferry to Australia from the coastal town of Oriyur in Tamil Nadu were arrested by the Indian police last night.

New pet laws coming soon

A Bill that sets out laws pertaining to keeping pets in households and regulating pet shops is to be presented to Parliament soon, Livestock Development Deputy Minister H. R. Mithrapala said yesterday.

MR hits out at UN double standards

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday it was a matter of grave concern to witness so many instances of the deliberate and arrogant violation of the fundamental principles of justice and the rule of law by some agencies within and outside the United Nations. 

Video: Bringing inept persons into SLFS hurting country: Sobitha Thera

The head of the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ), Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera, yesterday claimed that the Sri Lanka Foreign Service was a chaotic mess and that the wrong people were being awarded posts in the Foreign Service.

India, SL to speedily free fishermen

The Indian and Sri Lankan Coast Guards have agreed to work for the speedy release of fishermen arrested for violating the maritime boundary, the Indian government said Friday.

Petition seeking to probe KP's role dismissed

The Madras High Court on Friday dismissed a petition which sought investigation into the role played by former LTTE leader Kumaran Pathmanabhan in the assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Shipping company demands Rs. 89 mn demurrage charges

Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Jathika Sewaka Sangamaya Branch Secretary Ananda Palitha said today an Indonesian shipping company had demanded Rs. 89 million from the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) as demurrage and urged the CPC  to reveal whether it was going to pay it, as it claimed earlier that such a fee would not have to be paid.

Lawyers seek police protection

Lawyers who appeared for a petition filed by the BASL are leaving the Court premises. The petition was filed by the BASL Executive Committee seeking police protection for its President Upul Jayasuriya. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja  

An Asanaghara excavated at Rajagalathenna

Officials of the Archeological Department and the Sri Jayawardena University unearthed an historical ‘Asanaghara’ during the excavation carried out at Rajagalathenna. Pix by Wasantha Chandrapala

Heavy showers expected in several places

The Meteorology Department said today showers exceeding 150mm will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts.

UPFA MP Thenuka arrested and bailed

UPFA Badulla District Parliamentarian Thenuka Vidanagama, former Provincial Council member Anura Vidanagama and another person were arrested today on charges of threatening a Deputy Elections Commissioner and robbing his camera.

UK officials met SL military adviser after the war-report

Police in Northern Ireland organised a meeting between British officials and a Sri Lankan military adviser a month after the massacre of tens of thousands of Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka, it has emerged – but no minutes were taken about what was discussed.

Police asked to provide security to Upul

Colombo Fort Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitiya today ordered the Colombo Central SSP to provide security to Sri Lanka Bar Association (BASL) President Upul Jayasuriya until August 11.

Video: JVP protests Israeli attacks on Palestine

Some JVP members including Bimal Ratnayake, Sunil Handunneththi and Vijitha Herath are seen pasting their petition on a glass pane at the entrance to the US Embassy in Kollupitiya after they were prevented from entering the building. Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Velayudhan takes over from Harin

K. Velayudhan was sworn in by the Deputy Speaker as a Member of Parliament to replace former parliamentarian Harin Fernando.

IPL match fixing: Sri Lankan CID’s help sought

The Justice Mukul Mudgal-led panel looking into the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2013 betting and spot-fixing controversy is said to have asked the Sri Lankan Crime Investigation Department (CID) for their help.

Two women in baby deal arrested

A woman was arrested yesterday on charges of having sold her six-month-old baby girl to another woman at Mihindu Uyana in Hanwella for Rs.30,000.

Heavy traffic in Kollupitiya

Traffic congestion was reported in Kollupitiya on the Galle Road due to a protest staged by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) in protest of the attacks on Palestine, police said.

Protest against Lankan official in Chennai

The lawyers’ wing of AIADMK staged a protest in front of the premier institute in Chennai on Thursday demanding the deportation of a Sri Lankan bureaucrat invited by the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF).