SL offers to host Asia Cup

Sri Lanka is ready to host the Asia Cup One-Day International tournament and the World Twenty20 if the two events are pulled out of violence-plagued Bangladesh, a top official said yesterday

Lankan fishermen remand extended

The Ramanathapuram Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court in Tamil Nadu on Friday extended the judicial remand of 59 Sri Lankan fishermen till January 10

Jeep-Train accident kills a sailor

A sailor was killed and five others injured when a jeep carrying Navy personnel collided with the Rajarata Rejini train this morning at the Jaffna junction railway crossing in Anuradhapura, police said

Canadian MP Rathika leaves for India

Canadian MP Rathika Sitsabaiesan who was on a tour in Sri Lanka had left for India this morning, the Immigration and Emigration Department said today

Lankan nabbed while smuggling satellite receivers

A Sri Lankan male who arrived from Bangalore was arrested today at the Katunayake Airport for smuggling 260 pieces and parts of satellite receivers and 50 kgs of big onion seeds worth Rs. 400,000, Customs Media Spokesman Leslie Gamini said

US Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes due in SL

The United States Ambassador-at-Large, Office of Global Criminal Justice, Stephen J. Rapp will travel to Sri Lanka, January 6–11, 2014, Office of the Spokesperson of the State Department announced.

MR to receive 'Star of Palestine'

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will leave for a state visit to Palestine tomorrow. He will be accompanied by External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris on this first-ever state visit by a Sri Lankan leader to Palestine which was granted non-member observer status at the United Nations General Assembly last year.

PM must apologise to the Sangha:BBS

Monks of the Bodu Bala Sena Organisation met Prime Minister D. M. Jayaratne at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence ‘Visumpaya’ in Colombo today. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Video: PM must apologise to the Sangha: BBS

The verbal exchange between Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne and Jathika Hela Urumaya Leader the Ven. Omalpe Sobitha Thera about the heroin detection must come to an end, the Bodu Bala Sena Organisation (BBS) said today

Pilot didn’t lose control of his aircraft: SriLankan

A SriLankan airline flight from Colombo to London on January 1 was forced to return to the Bandaranaike International Air Port (BIA) some 45 minutes after the take-off when the cockpit crew observed a crack on one of the windshields.

Cabinet decides not to scrap Grade-5 exam

The Cabinet yesterday decided not to scrap the Grade-5 Scholarship Examination, sources said today.

A leopard's fate

A Leopard that remained entangled in a trap for three days died in Balangoda from dehydration and starvation. The attempt by the veterinary surgeons to save the animal proved futile. The leopard was captured on film snarling at onlookers. Pix by Prince Ratnayake

Prisoners fast for freedom

Six prisoners are carrying out a fast on top of a building at the Bogamabara prison demanding that they be released or their jail term reduced.

Video: SL may soon become a worldwide drug hub: UNP

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake today asked how the Government hoped to stop youth unrest by allowing drug trafficking and promoting gambling in the country

SL, Indian fishermen need to talk-Manmohan Singh

Fishermen from India and Sri Lanka need to talk to overcome their territorial disputes, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Friday.

WPC polls: Hirunika yet to decide

Discussions are underway between several political parties regarding the candidature for the Western Provincial Council elections of Hirunika Premachandra, the daughter of slain Presidential Advisor Baratha Lakshman Premachandra, sources said.

25 Indian fishermen in custody

Twenty five Indian fishermen were arrested and their five fishing trawlers seized in the seas off Mannar North last evening, Navy spokesman Kosala Warnakulasuriya said

Manmohan to resign

Ruling out third term for himself, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Friday that he will hand over charge to a new Prime Minister after the elections in a few months and said that “We will announce the Congress PM candidate at an appropriate time”

Water cut in the offing?

If the islandwide dry weather continues the water supply may be interrupted, says the National Water Supply and Drainage Board. The board requests consumers to use water sparingly as the water available in reservoirs and rivers is limited.

US the biggest threat to world peace in 2013 – poll

The US has been voted as the most significant threat to world peace in a survey across 68 different countries. Anti-American sentiment was not only recorded in antagonistic countries, but also in many allied NATO partners like Turkey and Greece

One killed in clash at Moratuwa

One person died in a clash between two groups in Rawatawatta, Moratuwa this evening, Police said

W’pitiya OIC’s wife in court; remanded till Jan.8

The Wellampitiya Police OIC’s wife who was arrested on Wednesday on charges of peddling heroin was yesterday produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate Magistrate Thilina Gamage and detained till January 8Pictures

Cabraal says figures not ‘massaged’

Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal today dismissed allegations that statistics provided by state institutions mainly the Central Bank and the Census and Statistics Department were distorted or ‘massaged’ to suit Government rhetoric on development

JHU to sue PM

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) said today it would sue Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne for slander and demand one billion rupees in damages if he failed to apologise in public for making derogatory remarks on JHU Leader Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera

ADA website launched

The ADA newspaper published by the Wijeya Newspapers’ group launched its Sinhala breaking news website today. Log onto www.ada.lk for the latest news

Fishermen continue demonstration for release of arrested fishermen

More than 1,000 fishermen of Pamban continued their demonstration for the third day in that town, demanding release of the 18 fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan naval personnel on December 29 last year

Mangala’s residence break-in: suspect remanded

Panadura-North Police today arrested the man who is suspected of having broken into UNP parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera’s residence at Galkanuwa in Keselwatta, Panadura on Monday night.

New 'Dolosmahe Pahana' for Sri Pada

An Air force helicopter is seen airlifting the new 'Dolosmahe Pahana' to the Sri Pada Temple premises. Pix by Ranjith Rajapaksa

Pilgrims asked not to climb Sri Pada during day till Jan.5

The Sri Pada Chief Incumbent has requested pilgrims to refrain from climbing Sri Pada between 6.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. from today till January 5 because of ongoing development work

Factory workers in hospital after New Year party

More than 120 employees of a garment factory at Boralugoda, Ingiriya were hospitalized due to a food poisoning at a New Year get-together in the factory last night, Hospital sources said PICTURES