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

Tense situ at Ragama Hospital

Health official of the Colombo North (Ragama) Teaching Hospital has launched a strike over the issue of midwifery training to the nurses and alleged arbitrary actions of the midwife service in the Hospital

SL refugee’s death in hospital sparks protest

A Sri Lankan refugee, G. Chandrasekaran, 29, died at the Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences at Kalapet on Sunday, sparking a protest by family and friends who alleged medical negligence

Harin Fernando eyes Uva chief minister’s post

Badulla District UNP MP, Harin Fernando said at a meeting with the party activists yesterday that he would contest for the Uva Province Chief Minister’s post. He said it was 99% sure. The final decision would be taken at the meeting on June 30 with the party leaders, he said

Modi to meet TNA

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) would hold talks with newly elected Indian Prime Minister   Narendra Modi in New Delhi next month, party officials said yesterday

Video: Grandpass Shooting

Police inspect the scene of the shooting that took place at Andrew Watte in Grandpas this evening. Pic by Nisal Baduge

Video: Two shot dead in Grandpass

At least two individuals were shot dead and two others injured when an unidentified gunman opened fire at a group of people at Grandpass, Colombo, a short while ago, Police said.

Aluthgama, Beruwala incidents have tarnished country’s image - Ranil

The Aluthgama and Beruwala incidents had not affected the Muslims alone but the entire country as its image had been tarnished, said Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe today.

Opposition visits Aluthgama

Leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickramasinghe together with General Secretary Tissa Attanayake, MPs Kabir Hashim, Ajith P Perera, R Yogarajan, provincial council members and members of local bodies visited Aluthgama today where they met religious leaders including monks and Islamic leaders in the area. Pic by Nisal Badhuge

SL offers ‘help’ with asylum-seekers

Sri Lanka stands ready to co-operate with Australia in what was shaping last night as the most public test of the Coalition’s tough asylum-seeker policy.

Crushed to death

A seven-year-old boy had been killed and five others seriously injured in a road accident near the Puttlam Buddhist Centre on the Chilaw-Puttlam Road last morning.

Lankan maid steal jewelry

A 25-year old Kuwaiti woman filed a complaint accusing her Sri Lankan maid of stealing jewelry worth KD 1400, reports Al-Rai daily.

Seychelles to open High Commission in SL

Seychelles has announced it plans to open a diplomatic mission in Sri Lanka later this year. This follows the visit of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who leaves Seychelles later today at the end of a three day official visit.

Rajarata lecturers to withdraw from duties

Lecturers of the Rajarata University have decided to withdraw from all educational and administrative activitises from tomorrow until their safety is ensured

Navy arrests Indian fishermen

Seventeen 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

Panel to strengthen coastal security

The district administration and police in India have decided to constitute a standing committee to share intelligence, strengthen coastal security, prevent smuggling and human trafficking through sea route

Two teenagers drown

Two teenagers drowned in Ragala Canal in Senarathpura, Nuwara Eliya yesterday, the Police said. Four teenagers were bathing near Sangili Bridge when the two drowned

Action against religious hate mongers using social media

The government today ordered stern action against those who use the social media to spread feelings of communal and religious hatred in the country.

Fasting starts tomorrow

Muslims in Sri Lanka will start the month of Ramazan fasting from tomorrow, the Grand Mosque announced this evening after sighting the new moon.

Pakistan, WI awarded seats on ICC's executive

West Indies cricket president James Cameron and Pakistan board chairman Najam Sethi have been awarded seats on the International Cricket Council's new executive committee, but South Africa has been snubbed from the game's new world order.

Australia rejects claim of asylum-seeker boat in trouble

The immigration minister, Scott Morrison, has refused to confirm claims by refugee activists that a boat carrying Tamil asylum seekers is in trouble off Australia.

One killed, 23 injured in head-on collision

One person was killed and 23 people injured when a van traveling from Batticaloa to Kalmunai collided head on with a cab travelling from Ampara to Batticaloa on the Batticaloa-Kalmunai Road early today, police said.

US will welcome moves to change SL image:Thewaraperuma

The United States will welcome all efforts made by the Sri Lankan politicians to change the negative image that had been created in the minds of international community that the majority Sinhalese were harassing the minorities, U. S. Ambassador in Sri Lanka Michele J. Sison said.

Lankan refugees in trouble in Indian Ocean

A boat with 153 refugees from Sri Lanka on board is in trouble 250 km from Christmas Island, it was reported today.

Japanese PM may visit SL in early Sep

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is considering visiting Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in early September, a Japanese government source said Friday.

Micro car plant in Hambantota

The Sri Lankan car manufacturer Micro in partnership with China’s Sino Motor Industries, is building its third car plant with the aim of exporting vehicles manufactured by the joint venture which is being built at the Mirrijawila Investment Zone in Hambantota. The foundation stone for the car plant was laid by MP Namal Rajapaksa and Sino Motors Deputy CEO LiuWei. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

SL revokes “on Arrival Visa” for Pakistanis

Rise in political asylum trend by Pakistanis have provoked Sri Lankan authorities to revoke “On Arrival Visa” facility for Pakistani nationals.