Another crossover

Uva Provincial Council United National Party (UNP) member Ravi Gunawardena crossed over to the government today making a special statement during the council session

Acid attack on two cops

Two police officers were hospitalised following an acid attack while they were on duty at the Mawanella District Court premises this morning

Ven. Watareka Vijitha thera assaulted

Ven. Watareka Vijitha  thera  who was reportedly abducted and beaten, was found from Bandaragama area this morning. He was admitted to the Panadura Hospital and was later transferred to the National Hospital for further treatments. Pictures

Do not hold night races in Kandy: Mahanayake Thera

Chief Incumbent of the Asgiri Chapter the most Ven. Udugama Sri Buddharakkitha Thera said today he was against night races being held in Kandy.

Protest for unity

Buddhist monks hold placards while some youth shout slogans at a protest held by the  Movement for Equal rights against the recent violence in Aluthgama and Beruwala. Pix By Pradeep Dilrusksana

Bangladeshi Cricket tribunal ban Kaushal for 18 months

Sri Lankan cricketer Kaushal Lokuarachchi and New Zealnd player Lou Vincent were banned for 18 months and three years respectively from all cricketing activities by a Bangladeshi tribunal that dealt with the allegations on match fixing

Resolution against UNHRC probe passed in parliament

The resolution against the UNHRC probe on Sri Lanka was passed in Parliament with 144 votes in favour while ten TNA MPs voted against it.

MR invites ADB President to visit Northern Province

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today invited the President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Takehiko Nakao to visit the Northern Province to witness the development when Mr. Nakao called on President Rajapaksa at the President’s House in Colombo

MR in Beruwala

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today visited Beruwala which was shaken up by violence last Sunday. He met members of the Sinhala and Muslim communities there. Pix by Presidential media

5 casinos operating in Colombo: Govt

The Government today informed Parliament that five Casino business centres were being operated within the Colombo City, but declined to reveal their names citing restrictions under the Inland Revenue Act.

Video: Cigarettes worth Rs.125m detected

The Customs revenue task Force today detected a container, consisting of contraband cigarettes valued at Rs. 125 million, imported from Dubai declared as coriander.

Sugarcane harvesting

Sugarcane farmers are seen collecting their harvest at plantations spread throughout the Moneragala District. Last year Sri Lanka produced 53,000 metric tonnes of sugar and imported sugar worth around Rs.37,000 million Pix By Pradeep Pathirana

MR visits Beruwala

President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited Beruwala a short while ago to meet Sinhala and Muslim communities, President's media said.

SLMC to boycott Parliament

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) would boycott the Parliament sessions today, party officials said

Chemical storage facility on fire

A chemical storage facility in Nawala was gutted by a fire this morning. The fire was doused by the Colombo and Kotte fire brigades. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Int’l community will be notified: Deputy Minister

The international community will be promptly notified of the measures adopted to ensure the safety of the residents in Southern Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the riots in Aluthgama and Beruwala, Deputy External Affairs Minister Neomal Perera said

Fire at Nawala chemicals factory

A fire has broken out in a chemical factory in Nawala this morning, Police said the fire brigade is trying to douse the fire.

Three Indians arrested with Kerala Ganja

Three Indians were arrested while attempting to smuggle 175 kgs of ‘Kerala Ganja’ from India, near the sea off Kalpitiya, by the Sri Lanka Navy last night.Pictures

Video: Muralidaran joins Aust coaching ranks

Sri Lankan spin king Muthiah Muralidaran has joined Australia's coaching team to help the squad prepare for its Test series against Pakistan

Police curfew to be lifted

The Police curfew, which was imposed in the Beruwala and Aluthgama police areas on Sunday,following incidents of communal violence, will be lifted from 8 am today, Police said.

Two swan boat riders arrested for indecent behaviour

Two men aged between 45 and 50 were arrested on charges of having engaged in acts of indecency while riding on a swan boat in the Beira Lake. They were produced in the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court and after being found guilty of the charges were each fined Rs.2, 500.

UNSG urges SL Govt. to ensure safety of all Sri Lankans

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, while expressing his concern on the communal violence that erupted in Southern Sri Lanka, has urged the Sri Lankan Government to take necessary measures to ensure the safety of all Sri Lankans.

Aluthgama violence: 41 arrested

Forty one people have been arrested in the aftermath of the violence which prevailed at Aluthgama and Beruwala. Police said some of those arrested had violated the curfew imposed in the two troubled spots.

SLFP agrees with NFF’s proposals

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) came to an agreement with the National Freedom Front (NFF) based on its proposals, at a discussion held between the two parties on Monday, NFF Spokesman Mohammed Muzammil said.

‘Nagutakota’ captured

The wild elephant known as ‘Nagutakota’, which was posing a threat to the people in some areas in Puttalam and Karuwalagaswewa Divisional Secretariats, was captured by the Wildlife officials last Sunday. The elephant being transported to another forest reserve to be released. Pix by Jayaratne Wickramaarachchi

Court order against rally at Mawanella

The Police today obtained a Court Order from the Mawanella Magistrate’s Court to stop the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) organisation from holding of a rally at the Mawanella Town.

Cigarettes worth Rs.30 mn seized by Customs

One million cigarette sticks worth Rs.30 million from Dubai were seized by the Customs today at the Central Mail Exchange in Colombo.  The cigarettes made up in to 61 parcels had a non-existent address. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

MR receives award for contributions to peace and democracy

President Mahinda Rajapaksa was awarded with the ‘Parliamentary Order Merit Democratic Rep. Marcelo Quiroga Santa Cruza’, the highest honor presented by the Plurinational State of Bolivia, by the Bolivian Government on Monday. 

Pakistan Army Chief's visit postponed

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif has postponed his official visit to Sri Lanka, Geo News reported Tuesday

SL keen to set up ties with new nations: MR

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has told Bolivian President Evo Morales on Monday that establishing relationships with new nations is a part of the Government’s policy.