Video: Aliya Resort and Spa opens in Sigiriya

The ‘Aliya Resort and Spa’ in Sigiriya was ceremonially opened by Economic Development Minister on Saturday. It has been built on a 22-acre land providing 220 job opportunities to the youth in the area. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

JHU claims a billion from PM

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) today sent a letter of demand to Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne through their Lawyer Tudor Perera, claiming Rs. 1 billion over the remarks he had made regarding JHU Leader Ven. Omalpe Sobitha thera

Court of Inquiry against soldier

Army said that it would launch a Court of Inquiry on the arrest of an Army soldier with 43 counterfeit Rs 1000 notes in his possession while he was on a motorcycle with another at Pahala Kadugannawa area on Saturday.

Video: Agricultural Research officers protest

The Union of Agricultural Research and Production Assistants of Sri Lanka held a protest near the Economic Development Ministry yesterday, against the curtailment their basic rights. Pix by Kithsiri de Mell

President leaves for Abu Dhabi

President Mahinda Rajapaksa left this afternoon on a one-day visit to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Information Unit of the Presidential Secretariat division said

Video: Protests block T.B Jayah Mawatha

T.B  Jayah Mawatha (Darley Road) Colombo 10, has been blocked by heavy traffic due to a protest opposite the Mahaweli authority.

Three Myanmar fishermen rescued

Three fishermen from Myanmar have been rescued by local fishermen and were handed over to the Navy in Trincomalee last evening.

A woman dies of burn injuries

A woman had died of serious burn injuries early this morning at Kudamaduwa in Piliyandala, Police said.

Amunugama assumed duties

Former External Affairs Ministry Secretary Karunatilake Amunugama assumed duties as the new secretary of the Ministry of Investment Promotion today.

Malinga, Mendis recalled home immediately from Big Bash

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has decided to call back their stars Lasith Malinga and Ajantha Mendis with immediate effect to Sri Lanka from Australia where they are currently playing in the cash-rich Big Bash T20 domestic league sources

No surprises in ICC World T20 preliminary squad

Sri Lanka has named medium paceman Isuru Udana and Dhammika Prasad, all rounders Jeevan Mendis and Kosala Kulasekara, batsmen Angelo Perera and Upul Tharanga, all of whom have represented Sri Lanka

Int'l award for Siri Perakum

Somaratne Dissanayake's latest movie 'Siri Perakum' bagged the special audience award at the Dhaka International Film Festival which ended yesterday.

Talks with SL could prevent arrest of TN fishermen: PMO

The talks between fishermen's representatives of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka on January 27 be an opportunity to prevent arrest of fishermen from this state and seizure of their boats by the island nation's naval personnel

It’s all for the people!

Newly-appointed, radiant SLFP Colombo Central Organiser Hirunka Premachandra being escorted to her first SLFP Bala Mandala meeting in Kolonnawa today. On the left is her mother, wife of the slain SLFP stalwart Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra. Pix by Nisal Baduge

I’m an adopted daughter of Rajapaksa family: Hirunika

Kicking off her political campaign in a bold and determined note confronting her rivals, the newly-appointed Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Colombo Central Organiser Hirunika Premachandra today said no-one could separate her from President Mahinda Rajapaksa as she was his adopted daughter

Indian coastguards harassed us: SL fishermen

Several Sri Lankan fishermen released by the Indian government today said the Indian coastguards subjected them to harassment when they were arrested last year, for poaching into the Indian territorial waters.

Appoint anyone other than Mervyn: Kelaniya PS

Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha members have requested President Mahinda Rajapaksa not to re-appoint Minister Mervyn Silva as SLFP organiser for the Kelaniya electorate, and to appoint anyone other than him.

Four Indians arrested in Palai

Four Indian nationals who were on tourist visa were arrested in Palai by the Palai police while they were engaged in business activities in the area yesterday.

Derailed...

The Matara-bound express train from Vavuniya derailed at Poonewa between Vavuniya and Medawachchiya this morning. Pix by Romesh Madusanka

Derailment causes obstruction to train service on northern line

The Matara-bound express train from Vavuniya derailed at Poonewa between Vavuniya and Medawachchiya railway stations this morning.

Indian fishermen create immolation scare demanding release of boats

Several fishermen, who were released from the Sri Lankan prisons recently, attempted to immolate themselves at the district collectorate premises on Saturday, while demanding the state government to persuade the Island Country to release their mechanized boats.

Improve ties with SL-BJP to Congress

While slamming the Congress-led UPA government for what it said was its weak foreign policy, India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today called on the Indian Congress government to improve its relationship with neighbouring nations including Sri Lanka, PTI news agency reported.

SL ready to face UN rights body-Minister

Sri Lanka on Saturday said it was ready to face another resolution against the country in the UN rights body over alleged war crimes during decades long civil war against the rebel Tamil Tigers.

Fishermen's meeting postponed to Jan 27

With Sri Lanka seeking time to finalise the list of representatives for the much-anticipated fishermen's associations meeting aimed at resolving the vexed issue of fishing rights in the Palk Straits, the Tamil Nadu government on Saturday said the discussions would be held on January 27 and not on Monday as announced originally. 

Australian PM’s special envoy meets Navy Chief

Australian Prime Minister's special envoy for Operation Sovereign Borders, Major General (retd) Jim Molan called on Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage at the Naval Headquarters in Colombo today. 

HR Chief’s report will give an assessment on SL-UK

While claiming that the UNHRC Chief’s report ahead of the HR Council will give an assessment of Sri Lanka’s progress, Britain has reiterated that if a credible domestic process has not begun properly by March it would use its seat on the UN Human Rights Council to call for an international investigation against Sri Lanka.

TN Courts order release of 61 SL fishermen

Two courts in Tamil Nadu have ordered the release of 61 Sri Lankan fishermen arrested between July and November in 2013

Postal voting applications from Jan. 20

Applications for postal voting for Western and Southern Provincial councils will be accepted from January 20 to February 7, Elections Secretariat said

SF meeting in Balapitiya disrupted by police

A tense situation arose at the Balapitiya town today when police attempted to stop a Democratic Party meeting held with the participation of its leader and former army commander Sarath Fonseka

Video: Welcoming new visitors

The officers in the Dehiwala zoo received the albino turtles that were bred at a hatchery in Kosgoda a while ago. A veterinary surgeon at the Zoo is seen checking the newcomers upon receiving them. Pix by Kithsiri de Mel