Indians cannot fish near Katchatheevu: Centre

The Indian fishermen have no right to fish near Katchatheevu and are entitled to only dry their nets on the island; besides, almost all the attacks by the Lankan navy on Indian fishermen have taken place only in Sri Lankan waters, the Union government told the Madras high court on Tuesday.

Lankan kills himself

A Sri Lankan man reportedly ended his life inside his sponsor’s house in Sa’ad Al-Abdullah by swallowing a large quantity of pesticide, reports Alam Alyawm daily

SL Navy, denies receiving 153 Tamil asylum seekers from Australia

The Sri Lanka Navy denied media reports that the Australian government had handed over 153 Tamil asylum seekers (who had attempted to migrate to Australia illegally) to the Sri Lanka Navy a few weeks ago

Northern trains back on track

The train services on the Northern Railway line between Polgahawela and Pothuhera which came to a standstill last evening resumed today, the Railway Control Room said

Hotel owner remanded for swindling Britisher

A Hikkaduwa hotel owner who was arrested on charges of having swindling a Britisher of Rs.48 million after promising to get him several plots of land for cultivation was today ordered to be further remanded till July 15 by the Galle Additional Magistrate

Seventeen OICs appointed

New OICs (Officer in Charge) have been appointed to 17 vacant police stations by the Secretary of the Ministry of Law and Peace on service requirements, police said

Arrest us if we are guilty: BBS

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera today said the police could arrest him and other BBS members if they were the cause for Aluthgama riots and if the consequences of the riots could be mitigated by arresting them.

SL to launch observation satellite

Sri Lanka was in the process of designing, developing and launching of its own small earth observation satellite and the project would commence once the funds were allocated, Science and Technology Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said.

Heavy falls expected

The Meteorology Department today predicted an increase in rain in the South-western parts of the country with heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm at some places.

Night mails cancelled today

Trains leaving for Palai, Batticaloa and Trincomalee Stations from Colombo Fort and back will not operate today because a mail train had derailed on the Northern Railway line between Polgahawela and Pothuhera

Google shutting down Orkut

The departure of Google's senior VP of social, Vic Gundotra, earlier this year led to reports that Google intends to scale back its social network, Google+

Video: New Navy chief pledges to upgrade the Navy

Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera assumed duties yesterday as the 19th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy and pledged to continue upgrading the 58,000 strong Naval force to face future maritime threats and protect the seas under Sri Lanka’s authority

Video: New Navy chief assumes duties

Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera assumed duties as the 19th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy at the Naval Headquarters in Colombo this morning. Pix by Samantha Perera

Politics moving down the generations: SB’s son

There is a new trend in the field of politics where the sons of the politician fathers are given opportunities to enter politics. By proving this trend, Tharu Dissanayake, the son of Minister S. B. Dissanayake is getting ready to enter politics in the near future

I will change my old records: Malaka

Minister Mervyn Silva’s son Malaka Silva who is from Kelaniya had gone to Matara and organised a Dansala there. It aroused the curiosity of almost everybody. A journalist has asked him the reason for this sudden change

Probe will continue sans SL support-Panelist

One of the three international experts appointed to investigate into alleged human rights abuses in Sri Lanka, Asma Jahangir, expressed confidence in the inquiry's ability to deliver answers despite the Sri Lankan government's persistent refusal to cooperate

Security tightened in Kalmunai

Security has been tightened in the Kalmunai area following a clash between two factions in Sainthamaruthu, in Kalmunai last night after members of the Sri Lanka Thawheed Jamaath (SLTJ) reportedly opened a new Prayer centre in the area

Cop shoots himself

A police sergeant attached to the Kurunegala police station was reported to have shot himself this morning inside the police lavatory.

Pope to visit the North

Pope Francis will visit the North during his visit to Sri Lanka next year, a spokesman from the Bishop’s House in Mannar said yesterday.

If proven I will resign: Gota

Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday denied any involvement with the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS),

MR in Aluthgama

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today visited the Aluthgama and Beruwala areas and inspected the ongoing rebuilding of houses and buildings that were dmaged due to recent violence. (President's Media).

Isipathana open knockouts with win

The Milo President’s trophy knockout rugby tournament kicked off today at the Royal college Sports Complex, with league champions Isipathana College routing Thurstan College 55 points to 5. Seen here is some action from the game.

Girl Guides raise their voices against child abuse

The Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association will complete 100 years in 2017. A child safety week was organized in line with the centenary programmes launched by the association. Here, a girl guide is holding a placard against child abuse at the Girl Guides Association Headquarters. - Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Principal arrested over student’s death in freak accident

The Principal of Raththota Dikkumbura Vidyalaya was arrested by the Raththota police after a student died following a fall from a Mango tree in the school premises.

Traffic SI remanded for stealing barricades

A sub inspector attached to the Colombo City Traffic Police Division was today ordered to be remanded till July 14 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate for allegedly stealing and selling iron barricades worth Rs.97,440 to a scrap iron dealer.

Workshop for Ministers

A workshop for Ministers was held today under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Beruwala where future national programmes to be initiated by the government were discussed extensively. Pix Courtesy President’s Media

Paratroopers passing out parade

As many as 79 paratroopers who completed their training at the Sri Lanka Air Force Parashoot Training School held their passing out parade at the Ampara Uhana Air Force base today. Pix Wasantha Chandrapala

BBS concerned over US visa cancellation

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) today said it would express its concern to the State Department through the US Embassy in Sri Lanka over the visa cancellation of the organization’s General Secretary Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera.

Prisoner escapes

A prisoner receiving treatment in the Colombo North Teaching Hospital has escaped this morning from the prison custody, police said

Jaya seeks diplomatic action for release of fishermen

Seeking strong diplomatic action from the Centre for release of 28 Indian fishermen arrested by Sri Lankan Navy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today said the Centre should "not" treat the IMBL with the island nation as a settled question, as it is a subject matter of litigation in the Supreme Court