Trial-at-Bar to try Vaas Gunawardene, five others

Chief Justice Mohan Peiris will appoint a special Trial-at-Bar for the case in which former DIG Vaas Gunawardena and the five others including his son accused in the killing of Bambalapitiya businessman Mohammed Shyam

Indian SC commutes death sentence of Rajiv convicts

The Indian Supreme Court today  (Tuesday) commuted the death sentence of three assassins of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi to life imprisonment citing the 11-year delay on the part of the Centre in deciding their mercy plea, reports said

Kachatheevu can’t be retrieved: India tells Supreme Court

In a decision which is likely to further strain the ties between the UPA and the DMK, the Centre has informed the Supreme Court that Kachatheevu could not be retrieved from Sri Lanka as demanded by the party president, M. Karunanidhi.

Feb 28. holiday for Hindu schools

Ministry of Education has marked the February 28 as a school holiday for Hindu schools in view of Maha Sivarathri observations, Ministry Secretary Anura Dissanayake said

Fisherman missing after falling overboard

A fisherman is reported to have gone missing after he fell overboard while out shipping in a multi-day fishing trawler, which left the Galle harbour last night, police said

Jilted maid jailed for knifing Lankan cleaner

A jilted maid implicated in knifing a female cleaner who had reportedly taken her boyfriend, was sentenced a 7-year-jail term plus deportation, on Monday.

Motorcycle headlights on or off?

Police Headquarters was still in the process of evaluating the use of headlights by motorcyclists during daytime to prevent accidents, but were yet to consider its legalisation under the Motor Traffic Act, sources said

13 year-old disappears while river bathing

A 13-year-old disappeared while bathing near the Kammaltota river mouth in Kochchikade last evening, Police said, and is believed to have drowned

Indian arrested for visa violation

A 30-year-old Indian national was arrested yesterday by the Muthur Police for overstaying his visa and violating immigration laws, Police said

SL-friendly proposal likely at UNHRC: Minister

Several member-countries supportive of Sri Lanka are hoping to submit a counter-proposal against the US-led resolution on Sri Lanka which is expected to be presented at next month’s UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in Geneva, the Daily Mirror learns

India allocates more funds for SL

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs  today allocated Rs 500 crore for 2014-15 for  Sri Lanka’s development, which is an increase compared to last year, PTI reported

High level public servants violating election law: UNP to EC

The United National Party (UNP) Leadership Council in a written complaint today urged Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya to stop high profile public servants from participating at political meetings

Video: Demo over cattle-slaughtering

A demonstration was held this evening by the Sihala Ravaya organisation in front of the Fort Railway station against the cattle-slaughter. One side of the Olcott Mawatha was blocked due to a protest. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja ???

Duminda’s visit provoked Wanathamulla protesters: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today charged that there were moves to arrest those who reacted angrily to the presence of Defence Ministry Monitoring MP Duminda Silva at a protest by Wanathamulla residents

Railway drivers’ strike ends

The Railway Locomotive Engine Drivers’ Union this evening decided to suspend the railway drivers’ strike which continued for five days

UNP LC members at Elections Department

UNP Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya flanked by General Secretary Tissa Attanayake and Leadership Council Member Ravi Karunanayake are seen leaving the Elections Department after handing over a complaint that some high level public servants were taking part in election campaigning. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Wijedasa in Leadership Council

UNP MP Wijedasa Rajapakse had been appointed today to the Leadership Council of the UNP, which was reserved for UNP MP Thalatha Athukorala, LC Spokesman Kabeer Hashim said

Video: Protest blocks Olcott Mawatha

Heavy traffic congestion was reported in Pettah opposite the Fort Railway Station, blocking Olcott Mawatha, due to a protest conducted by an organisation against cattle-slaughter

Woman found dead in Kahawatte

A 52-year-old woman, who was living alone,  was found dead in her house in Yayainna, Kahawaththa early this morning, Police said

Teacher dies cheering students

A teacher who was cheering his students playing Vollyeball during the inter-house sports meet suffered a heart attack and died upon admission to the Ampara hospital today

Rs. 20mn robbed from Negombo jewellery store

More than twenty million rupees in cash had been robbed by a gang from a Jewelley cum Money Exchange in Negombo this afternoon, the Police said

Man dies falling into goda barrel: Police

The body of a fifty four-year-old man who had died falling into a goda barrel was recovered on Saturday morning when the illicit brewery in Madinnagoda, Rajagiriya was raided, the Police said

Implement Sethu Project: DMK

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has adopted 15 resolutions, among them the quick implementation of the Sethusamudram Project, priority for the Sri Lankan Tamils issue and abolition of the death penalty

Personal donation from Charles

The Prince of Wales, who visited at the Garrison Cemetery in Kandy, as part of his visit to Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in November, has made a personal donation towards the maintenance of the Cemetery.

BJP won’t offer military support to SL-Vaiko

Bharatiya Janata Party’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has assured that no military support would be given to Sri Lanka in the event of his party coming to power, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko said on Sunday

Gambling den: Suspects fined Rs.100 each

Nine suspects, who were charged with gambling at the Union Place gambling den, were fined Rs.100 each when they pleaded guilty on being produced at the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court.

Pilot conversion exam resumes, following probe

Civil Aviation Authority said today the ‘Pilot License Conversion’ exams have resumed in the wake of suspected examination irregularities, which are currently being investigated.

Horana Sri Jayawardanarama Navam Perahera in a grand way

The Annual Navam Maha Perahera of Horana Olaboduwa Sri Jayawardanarama Viharaya was held last night in Horana. Pix by Darshana Sanjeewa

5 motorcyclists and teenager killed in road tragedies

At least six people were killed in separate accidents that occurred at several places in the last 24 hours, police said

"In cricket, it is foolish to even think of fighting India': Sanath

World Cup winning former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga has criticised the new draft that brings in drastic changes to the International Cricket Council giving the cricket boards of India, England and Australia overwhelming power and revenue