Winners of Wijeya

The Annual Graduation Ceremony of the Wijeya Graphics was held at the BMICH, Colombo on Saturday. Picture shows Minister of Education Bandula Gunawardena awarding a certificate to a student while Parliamentarian Ruwan Wijewardene looks on. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Sachithra to undergo intense coaching

Sri Lanka's cricket authorities decided to send off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake for intense coaching after the International Cricket Council (ICC) ruled his bowling action illegal and banned him from international matches.

Dayasiri in another fiasco

Leonard Fonseka, a UNP supporter who operated a broadcasting centre in Kuliyapitiya. had lodged a complaint with the North Western Province DIG on July 11 alleging that supporters of North Western Chief Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera had tried to kidnap him

Harin’s response

UNP MP Harin Fernando said in response to Mr. Jaysekera’s apology that it was natural for Mr. Jayaskera to tender an apology as he must be ashamed of himself- being a chief minister

Dayasiri apologises to the people

North Western Province Chief Minister Dayasiri Jaysekera tendered an apology to the people of the country and to those of the province he represents for the unfortunate incident that took place at a recent talk show on TV -- where he got into a brawl with the UNP MP Harin Fernando.

New law on NGOs is ready

Against the backdrop of some organisations defying the regulations governing NGO activities, the government has decided to enact a law, before the end of this year, making it mandatory for all of them to register with the National Secretariat on NGOs.

FIFA World Cup: Germany are Champions of the World

Germany have emerged as the Champions of the FIFA World Cup, Brazil 2014, after a hard fought 120 minute battle with Argentina at the Maracana.

Independent Arcade declared open by President

The Independent Arcade was declared open by President Mahinda Rajapaksa this evening. The Arcade which is a commercial complex was constructed under the programme of converting Colombo into attractive city by the Urban Development Authority. Pix by Manoj Ratnayeka

Eighty schools closed in Badulla

Nearly eighty schools in education zones of Haldamulla and Welimada will be closed tomorrow due to prevailing weather conditions, Badulla District.

Allow UN team to stay in Chennai: PMK

PMK chief S Ramadoss on Sunday said India's decision not to extend support to a UN probe into the alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka is shocking.

Pakistan must learn from LTTE’s defeat-Pakistan officer

Pakistan may not be able to replicate Sri Lanka’s success vis-a-vis the LTTE but needs to learn from it to overcome Islamist militants, a Pakistani police officer has said.

Lankan Sex offender avoids deportation in UK

A Sri Lankan sex offender has been allowed to remain in Britain because of his “right to family life” with his two young children, even though they are about to be adopted.

Van skids off the road

At least 10 people including children were injured when a van skidded off the road and plunged down near the 15th post on the Ella- Wellawaya road a short while ago, Police said

Police open fire at cattle lorry

One man had been admitted to the hospital when the Police opened fire at a fleeing lorry at a check point at Kosgoda today, the Police said.

Bad weather closes Sabaragamuwa Varsity

The Sabaragamuwa University had been closed with immediate effect till July 21 due to the inclement weather, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Chandana Udawatta said.

One killed; houses damaged by bad weather

One person had been killed Welimada and at least 316 houses had been partially damaged due to strong winds and showers in the Badulla, Nuwara-Eliya and the Ratnapura Districts on Saturday, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

16 arrested in Katunayake brothel raid

Sixteen people including six women were arrested during a raid on a brothel in the Halgasthota area in Katunayake on Saturday, Police said

Dutch beat Brazil 3-0 to claim third

Brazil's traumatic World Cup ended with more pain on Saturday as they lost 3-0 to a superior Netherlands side in the third-place play-off at the Mane Garrincha National Stadium in Brazil.

Indian NSA detention of Lankans set aside

The Madras High Court has set aside the detention orders of the Coimbatore City Police Commissioner passed in October last year, detaining two Sri Lankan refugees under the National Security Act (NSA).

Sachithra banned from bowling by ICC

Sri Lanka’s off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake has been found to be over the legal limits in bowling action by International Cricket Council (ICC) accredited laboratory in Cardiff, UK and has been asked to be banned from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said today.

SA seal ODI series win in SL

Quinton de Kock and AB de Villiers smashed aggressive centuries to propel South Africa to an imposing 5-339 in the third and final one-day international against Sri Lanka on Saturday.

Wijegunaratne new Navy’s Chief of Staff

Rear Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne has been appointed as the new Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy with effect from July 7, the Navy Headquarters announced.

Met Dept. forecasts strong winds within next 24 hours

The Meteorology Department said today strong winds (South-west monsoonal winds) were expected over the country especially along the western slopes of the Central hills at times.

Stopping the boats ‘compassionate’: Abbott

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has described stopping the boats as the "most compassionate" thing his government could have done.

Two killed; one assaulted in Modera

A 43-year-old man was hacked to death using a sword in Modara, Rawathawatte area last night, police said.

Modi 's Govt. against UN probe on SL

The Narendra Modi government will not support a UN probe into alleged human rights violations by Sri Lankan forces against Tamils, New Delhi has told Colombo.

Ranil says NGO gag violates rights

The banning of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) from holding news conferences, workshops and training journalists is a blatant attempt by the Government to control all non-governmental organisations, Opposition United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

Fourth crude oil ship in Colombo, but unable to unload

A ship laden with 90,000 MT of crude oil had arrived at the Colombo Harbour on Thursday mounting the number of anchored crude oil ships to four and accumulating the unloaded crude oil in them to 290,000 MTs, sources said.

Khuram Sheikh Murder case: Verdict on July 18

The verdict on the Khuram Sheikh murder trial and the raping of his girl friend in a Tangalle resort, was fixed for July 18 by Colombo High Court Judge Rohani Walgama who heard submissions of lawyers for 33 days within a period of three and a half months.

Teams ready for vital match

South African captain AB de Villiers and team coach Russel Domingo together with Sri Lankan cricket team captain Angelo Mathews and team coach Marvan Atapattu during a practice session at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota today. AFP PHOTO