President visits Deyata Kirula

President Mahinda Rajapaksa participated in an inspection tour of the Deyata Kirula national development exhibition premises in Kuliyapitiya on Friday. Pix by President’s media

Russia seizes Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine

Russian armed forces seized control of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula on Saturday, and the Russian Parliament granted President Vladimir Putin broad authority to use military force in response to the political upheaval that dislodged a Kremlin ally.

Wilgamuwa Chairman and Fmr Chairman arrested with ganja

Chairman of the Wilgamuwa Pradeshiya Sabha Jayantha Weerasekara and Former Chairman Ranjith Dissanayake were arrested by the Police while allegedly transporting ganja in the area last night, the Police said.

BJP can be a force of unity-SL envoy

Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Prasad Kariyawasam said on Saturday that his country believed that the India's Bharathiya Janatha Party(BJP) could be a force of unity.

Hakeem admits to verbal lashing by MR

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader Rauff Hakeem today admitted he received a verbal lashing from President Mahinda Rajapaksa at a cabinet meeting but dismissed it as no more than an "expression of ideas".

Air Force to assist fisheries officials in surveillance

Sri Lanka’s Air Force would assist the country’s fisheries officials in surveillance of the frequent straying by Sri Lankan and Indian fishermen on to each other’s waters, its new chief said on Saturday.

Karzai in Colombo on March 5

Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who postponed his planned visit to Sri Lanka last week, has re-scheduled his visit and will be here on March 5, the External Affairs Ministry said today.

Mankulam should be the Northern Capital-TELO

Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO) Leader Selvam Adaikalanathan has proposed that Mankulam in Vavuniya be named as the capital of the Northern Province.

Rameswaram fishermen resumes fishing ‘violating agreement’

The Rameswaram Mechanised boat fishermen, who had been staying away from the sea since February 13 as decided at the bilateral talks held between representatives of State fishermen with their Sri Lankan counterparts on January 27 in Chennai, resumed fishing on Saturday, two weeks ahead of the stipulated period, ‘violating’ the pact.

Not associated with cultural show in SL-Star Vijay

Popular Tamil TV channel in India 'Star Vijay' today denied reports that it was associated with a cultural show in Sri Lanka, saying they were "contrary to facts."

Recovery of skeletons in Mullaitivu: Army denies allegations

The Army today rejected allegations in connection with the discovery of skeletons from a land in Puthukuirippu in Mullaitivu.

Irate President takes on SLMC

In what appears to be a major rift within the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Government, President Mahinda Rajapaksa is reported to have asked Justice Minister Rauf Hakeem to decide whether he and his party was remaining in the Government.

No progress even after Pillay’s visit to SL-UK

While welcoming the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay report on Sri Lanka, Britain said that it is deeply disappointing to note that the Sri Lanka have not taken any of the steps recommended following the Pillay’s visit in August 2013.

SL beat India in nail-biting finish

Sri Lanka beat India by two wickets in their Asia Cup 2014 match played at Fatullah Bangladesh today. Sri Lanka have now won both their games in tournament, following Tuesday’s 12-run win against Pakistan.

MR denounces US plan for rights resolution

Sri Lanka’s president denounced Washington’s plan to move a UN human rights resolution against the island nation today, comparing the US move over alleged war crimes to a professional boxer taking on a schoolboy.

25 injured in head-on collision

At least 25 passengers were injured in a head-on collision between two private buses near Dikoya on the Hatton-Bogawantalawa Road today, Police said.

Video: NICs with printed data for first time in SL

National Identity Cards (NIC) with holder-related data printed in Sinhala and Tamil was issued for the first time today since its introduction in 1972. The data will no longer be handwritten as before

Protest over Law College intake

The Ravana Balaya and the Law Entrance Students Collective today staged a protest march in Colombo against the alleged admission irregularities at the Law College for the year 2014 intake. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja 

Lokuarachchi not charged for any corrupt activity-SLC

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said that contrary to media reports saying that cricketer Kaushal Lokuarachchi had pleaded guilty to match fixing, he was not charged for any corrupt activity and the only offence he had committed was a failure to report an approach made to him, which he had rejected.

Black magic teacher interdicted

The teacher, who is alleged to have burnt the soles of a school girl’s feet, was interdicted today following a preliminary investigation carried out on the instruction of the Education Ministry Secretary, the Kebithigollawa Zonal Education Director Hemapala Gunawardana said.

Traffic restriction on the Negombo Road from Tomorrow

The Colombo- Negombo road from Peliyagoda, Nawaloka Roundabout to Peliyagoda Fisheries Market would be restricted for four days starting tomorrow due to carpeting work, the Police said

Video: I will never let Hashan contest through the UNP - Apsari

The wife of former cricketer HashanTillekaratne said that she will never allow her husband to contests from the UNP nor allow those in the UNP to exploit his popularity and good name to secure votes for the party any longer. Full interview

Assist SL to set up domestic mechanisms-US resolution

Eleven US Senators on Thursday tabled a resolution urging the ‘US and the international community to assist Sri Lanka in establishing domestic mechanisms to deal with any grievances arising from actions committed by both sides during and after the civil war in Sri Lanka.’

Takes over...

Air Marshal KolithaGunatilleke assumed duties as the 14th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force at a ceremony held at the Air Force Headquarters this morning. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel.

New Air Force Chief assumes duties

Air Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke assumed duties as the 14th Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force at the Air Force Headquarters a short while ago.

Gunmen fire at Presidential doctor's vehicle

Unidentified gunmen opened fire at the vehicle of former presidential doctor Eliyantha White near his home at Mirihana this morning. However he had not been in the vehicle at the time, police said Pictures

Kidnapped Lankan woman rescued in Kuala Lumpur

Police rescued a Sri Lankan woman who had been kidnapped and held for ransom for three days. They also arrested the three kidnappers after tracking them to a house at Wangsa Melawati where the victim was being held

Woman killed by crocodile

A 57-year-old woman died after being attacked by a crocodile in Ambalantota yesterday, police said. She had been drawing water from an anicut when the crocodile dragged her away.

We will do it in SL-John Kerry

While claiming that the Sri Lanka government has not made sufficient progress on post-war reconciliation and ensuring justice and accountability for alleged war crimes, the United States said that it would support another UN Human Rights Council resolution at the March session.

Customs foil attempt to smuggle out sandalwood oil

20 kilograms of sandalwood oil worth Rs.7.2 million that was concealed in an aluminum cylinder was detected at the air cargo terminal in Katunayake by the staff of Customs Department’s Biodiversity, Cultural and National Heritage Protection Division (BCNP), Customs spokesman Leslie Gamini said