All fishermen to be released in stages: Rajitha

India and Sri Lanka today agreed to release all the arrested fishermen in stages from today onwards, and to develop the fisheries sector through mutual engagement and co-operation, Minister Rajitha Senaratne said

Ten hospitalised; struck by lightning

At least ten people have been hospitalised following a lightning strike at a temple in Deyyandara while they were engaged religious activities on Durutu Poya day

Video: Albino turtle mystery: All accounted for

Turtle hatchery owner Chandrasiri Abrew, who the focus of much media attention lately was arrested by the Matara Anti Vice squad in connection with the albino turtle going missing, police said.

UNP nomination board: Sajith busy campaigning

United National Party (UNP) Hambantota District MP Sajith Premadasa said today he had informed the party of his inability to be a member of the nomination board, which was appointed to select suitable candidates for the elections to the provincial councils

Thalatha yet to decide

UNP Ratnapura District Parliamentarian Thalatha Athukorala today said that she had yet to decide on the participation on the UNP nomination board appointed in view of the upcoming Provincial Council elections

Video: Religious rituals at the Kelani Viharaya

Devotees are seen performing religious rituals at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya on the Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day which falls today. It was on a Duruthu Full Moon Poya Day that Gautama Buddha for the first time set foot on Sri Lanka nine months after he attained enlightenment. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Navy Chief in Maldives

Navy Commander Jayanath Colombage accompanied by Navy Seva Vanitha Unit President, Mrs. Srima Colombage is currently on an official visit to the Maldives.

Water levels rising after heavy rains in Polonnaruwa

The Civil Security Department (CSD) today said the water levels at the Maduru Oya and the Kuda Oya in Polonnaruwa have risen because of the heavy rains in the area.

Maldives probing reports of local celebrities’ misconduct in SL

The Maldives Police Service has confirmed it is looking into allegations of sexual misconduct and consumption of alcohol made against local celebrities by news website “mvyouth”.

Wanted SL 'terrorist' walks into French police

A Sri Lankan man wanted on an international arrest warrant for terrorism has been discovered in France by accident, after he walked into a police station to complain about poor working conditions.

New laws to the rescue of LG Chiefs

Cabinet approval has been given to draft new bills which, if enacted, will empower mayors and chairmen of local authorities to remain in office further despite the defeat of annual budgets, Daily Mirror learns.

Fallen rock blocks Kandy-Mahiyangana road

The Kandy-Mahiyangana main road has been blocked due to a fallen rock near the third bend of the 18 bends amids t heavy rain, police said.

Against casinos

Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera seen addressing the campaign against casinos at the Maharama Vipashyarama Temple today. UNP National leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Karu Jayasuriya, Daya Gamage, Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa and several other politicians and civil society organisations participated at the event. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: Casinos operate with Government’s blessings: Ranil

UNP National leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said today Sri Lanka received Buddhism and a rich culture with the advent of Arahat Mahinda Thera, but now we have received casinos and ethanol detrimental to the nation

‘Sathyagraha’ over water issue

The ‘Siyane Jalaya Surekime Jana Neguma’ organisation yesterday held a ‘Sathyagraha’ at Belummahara Junction urging the authorities to find an immediate solution to the water issue in Rathupaswala, Weliweriya. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

GL to meet Kurshid

Sri Lankan and Indian External Affairs Ministers Prof. G.L. Peiris and Salman Kurshid are to meet later this month to discuss ‘all aspects of the bilateral relationship,’ including the fishermen issues, the government said today

Sajith, Thalatha in UNP nomination board

The UNP Leadership Council today announced the appointment of a 12-member nomination board comprising MPs Sajith Premadasa and Thalatha Athukorala in view of the upcoming provincial council elections

Albino Turtle found ?

An Albino Turtle believed to be the one lost in a turtle hatchery in Kosgoda, was recovered from the house of the hatchery owner’s daughter, police sources said today

Thai Pongal Celebrated

A group of Hindu devotees engage in religious activities at the Ponnambalam Veneshwar Kovil at Kochchikade to mark the Thai Pongal Day. Pix by Samantha Perera

Two Chinese war ships in Trinco

Two Chinese war ships, 'Jing Gangsha' and 'Heng Shui' arrived at the port of Trincomalee yesterday on a good will visit.

Fire at Melsiripura market complex

A stalls complex dealing with cut pieces of cloth  in  Melsiripura, was gutted today. The dealers had stored a large stock of cut pieces collected at cheap prices from garment factories

Three tourists with Wallapatta arrested

Two Chinese and a Malaysian were arrested at Kalawana last night on charges of having in their possession 12 kilos of Wallapatta

Today is Thai Pongal

Devotees are seen attending to religious observances to mark today’s Hindu festival of Thai Pongal. Daily mirror will bring you snap shots of the celebrations conducted across the country.

Sponsors can’t withhold passports of SL workers

Sri Lankan household workers will no longer be required to surrender their passports to their sponsors according to a new agreement signed on Monday between the Kingdom and Sri Lanka

'Thai Pongal'

Prof. A. V. Suraweera passes away

Chancellor of the Rajarata University and a former Deputy Minister Professor A. V. Suraweera has passed away following a sudden cardiac arrest this morning at the age of 83 at his residence, his family said

SL link to Goa gold smuggling

Smuggling of gold into Goa appears to have a Sri Lanka connection, Goa Customs Commissioner V.P.C. Rao says adding that in recent times, non-resident Indians have been used to legally carry gold in small quantities

Preparing for Thai Pongal

The Hindus turned out in numbers this evening to buy goods from shops at Pettah to celebrate the Thai Pongal festival which falls tomorrow. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

SLPCC conference at Kadirgamar Institute

The Sri Lanka Press Complaints Commission (SLPCC) held its 10th anniversary of the inaugural session of the Conference on Self Regulation and Ethical News Reporting at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Turtle slaughterhouse raided in Negombo

The Walana police Anti- Vice squad today raided a place where turtles were slaughtered to be sold for meat in Pitipana, Negambo, and arrested the person who surreptitiously operated it for a long time