Sanga’s century at Lord’s…

Kumar Sangakkara gets a hug from his mate Mahela Jayawardene, after reaching his hundred, in the first test match between England v Sri Lanka at Lord's, 3rd day. Pix courtesy © Getty Images

Special screening of ‘Bombay Velvet’ for MR

Indian film director Anurag Kashyap and the lead actors of ‘Bombay Velvet’, which is shot in Sri Lanka, will host a special screening for President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his family, Times of India reported.

India to take fishermen issue seriously

India today said that the centre is looking at the alleged attack and arrest of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy seriously.

D. R. Wijewardene commemoration

A commemoration ceremony to mark the 64th death anniversary of Sri Lanka’s press baron the late D. R. Wijewardene was held at the Gangaramaya Temple, Colombo yesterday. Pic by Pradeep Pathirana

Wheel on Expressway; training aircraft lands safely

A private Cessna type training aircraft made an emergency landing at the Ratmalana domestic airport a short while ago after one of its wheels fell in the Millaniya area on to the Southern Expressway, the Air Force said. Pictures

Video: Manpower workers to get rights soon

The government plans to enact new laws to ensure the safety and rights of workers employed by manpower companies, Minister Gamini Lokuge said.

9-hour water cut in parts of Gampaha District

The Water Supply and Drainage Board (WSDB) announced that water supply would be interrupted in the Kelaniya, Wattala, Hendala, Biyagama, Mahara, Dompe Pradehsiya Sabha areas and in the Peliyagoda, Ja-Ela, Wattala Urban Council areas including the Biyagama Export Processing Zone from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm today.

Ban wants to strengthen domestic processes in SL

UN Chief Ban Ki-moon has encouraged Sri Lanka to engage constructively with the international community and cooperate with the proposed human rights inquiry to strengthen the existing domestic processes.

SC orders English translation of ITAK manifesto

Based on a petition filed against the use of the word “Confederal” instead of “Federal” in the amended policy statement of the Ilangai Thamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), the Supreme Court ordered that the original and the amended policy statements be translated into English and submitted to Court.

President receives warm welcome

Bolivian Senate President Eugenio Rojas Apaza welcomes President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Viru Viru International Airport as he arrived to attend the G77+China Summit.

Ten kilos of explosives seized in transit

A lorry driver was taken into custody  today from a location close to the clock tower in the Anuradhapura Town while he was allegedly transporting  10 kilogrammes of explosives, 500 detonators and  40 metres of fuse cord,  police said. Pictures

JVP seeks domestic independent probe

JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake speaking to the media today announcing that his party opposed the UNHRC probe but proposed an amendment to the government motion  seeking a domestic independent inquiry into alleged violations of Human Rights in the country. Pic by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Video: JVP proposes amendment

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today submitted an amendment to the Government motion, which opposes the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) inquiry into allegations of violations of Human Rights during the last stages of the war.

Body of Estonian found in hotel room

The police found the body of 38-year-old Estonian in a hotel room at Habaraduwa.

Police shooting: Sergeant interdicted

A Police Sergeant attached to the Katunayake Police was today interdicted over an incident at which a man was injured in police firing

Special Rapporteur has exceeded his mandate-SL

The Sri Lankan government charged the Special Rapporteur (SR) on the Human Rights of IDPs of exceeding his mandate, during the Interactive Dialogue at the 26th Human Rights Council session

India, TN on the same page on Tamils: Wigneswaran

The newly formed Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government and Tamil Nadu will not be at variance in regard to the political needs of Sri Lankan Tamils, Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran said

Heavy rains in Nuwara Eliya

About 514 people from 102 families of the Nuwara-Eliya and Ginigathhena Divisional Secretariat areas were displaced by heavy rains. Most of the houses in Hatton, Watawala and Dikoya were under water Pix by Ranjith Rajapaksa

PC killed by train

A 52-year old Police Constable attached to the Weligama Police station was run over by the Matara-Colombo train in Ahangama this morning, Police said.

Audio: Ratnapura severely affected by heavy rains

Low-lying areas in the Ratnapura District have been flooded due to adverse weather conditions since last night, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said ???

Rail services resume

The railway service on the Badulla-Colombo track came to a standstill last evening due to earth slips in the Watawala area, and has now resumed, the Railway Control Room said

Sri Lankan swindles Kuwaiti

A Sri Lankan expatriate swindled a Kuwaiti citizen of KD 350 and disappeared after promising to bring a housemaid from his country within 25 days

SL-India fishermen talks end in deadlock

Sri Lanka on Thursday said the fishermen issue with India will be referred to a high-powered committee meeting in June after talks between the representatives of the two fishing communities ended in a deadlock. 

MR leaves for Bolivia

President Mahinda Rajapaksa left for Bolivia this evening to attend the Summit of Head of State and government of the Group of 77 and China.

Video: Lankadeepa Poson Aloka Puja

The Lankadeepa Poson Aloka Puja which illuminates the historic Thantirimale sacred site was switched on by UNP parliamentarian Ruwan Wijewardene this evening. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

RSSF Dansala

UNP Organizer Colombo District C. Y. P Ram and UNP Member of the Colombo Municipal Council John Ram of the Ram Social Service Foundation distributed lunch packets to mark the feast of St Anthony’s Church Kochchikade. Mr. Ram is seen distributing lunch packets. Pic by Nisal Badhuge

Police tear gas protesters

Police fired tear gas on a group of people who were protesting over an alleged assault in Aluthgama on the Galle--Colombo Road this evening, police said.

STF nab 85 kilos of heroin

STF personnel are seen with the large heroin haul at the STF headquarters today. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Video: President vows express travel to Polonnaruwa

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said he would provide opportunities for the people to travel between Colombo and Polonnaruwa within 90 minutes in two more years and assured the provisions would be made to begin work immediately.

Tense situ in Aluthgama

A tense situation prevailed at Aluthgama on the Galle-Colombo Road after an assault incident this evening.Pictures