Video: UNP WC approves 9-member leadership council

The Working Committee of the United National Party today approved the leadership council comprising nine members with Ranil Wickremesinghe being elevated to the position of ‘national leader’ of the party ???

15 injured as bus goes down precipice

At least 15 passengers were hospitalised when an SLTB bus plying on the Bandarawela- Punagala route skidded off the road and plunged into a precipice at Punagala in Bandarawela this evening, police said

Korean gambler robbed by SL escort

A Korean today alleged that a female escort who accompanied him to a five-star hotel had robbed him of Rs.510,000 which he had won at gambling in a Casino in Colombo and an additional Rs.300,00 which he had with him. He alleged that the woman was gone by the time he woke up.

CHOGM protest: 45 arrested in Tamil Nadu

As many 45 persons belonging to different pro-Tamil outfits were on Monday arrested for attempting to picket trains and bus-stand in nearby Tirupur and Udhagamandalam, demanding that India should not participate in the CHOGM scheduled in Sri Lanka this month.

Two Indian ministers don’t want Singh to travel to SL

Voices within the Cabinet grew lounder against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visiting Sri Lanka with two more ministers saying today that he should not attend Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in view of alleged atrocities against ethnic Tamils, Indian media reported.

Video: UNP goes to HRC

UNP General Secretary Tissa Attanayake and MP Mangala Samaraweera stand outside the Human Rights Commission today after the UNP lodged a complaint at the Commission over the arrest of several of its members in connection with the clash which occurred in Matara recently. Pix and video Pradeep Dilrukshana

Matara clash: UNP goes to HRC to obtain redress

The United National Party (UNP) today filed a complaint at the Human Rights Commission over the arrest of several of its members in connection with the Matara Clash on October 5

Ministry gets new name

The Ministry of Ports and Highways had been renamed as the Ministry of Highways, Ports and Shipping, the ministry said. The ministry said that it received the Gazette notification in this regard today.

Possibility of heavy rainfall in several provinces

The Department of Meteorology said showers or thundershowers would occur in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Southern and Uva Provinces during this afternoon and night.

12-hour water cut in Kolonnawa

A 12-hour water cut will be imposed from 8.00 a.m. tomorrow (05) till 8.00 p.m., in the Kolonnawa area because of vital repairs being carried out to the electricity supply by the Lanka Electricity Company (LECO), the National Water Supply and Drainage Board said.

British man drowns in Hikkaduwa Sea

A British man who was bathing in the Hikkaduwa sea with three other British nationals drowned yesterday

Lankan refugees in TN injured in clash

Fifteen persons were injured when a group of people from Pudhupatti village and Sri Lankan refugees clashed over a personal dispute near Batlagundu on Sunday night.

Two arrested over the killing of film maker’s aunt

Two suspects in the killing of an aunt of the late filmmaker Tissa Abeysekara in Welikada on September 28 were arrested today by the special investigation unit of the Western Province (South) DIG’s office.

CHOGM countdown

A total of 3750 students participated in a colourful peace march, embodying the culture and tradition of each country participating in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

UK scraps visa bond plan

Britain is scrapping a plan to force visitors from six "high risk" countries including Sri Lanka to pay a cash bond of £3,000 the interior ministry said on Sunday.

India wants probe on Ch 4 clip

India on Saturday called on the Sri Lankan government to investigate into the latest Video by Britain’s Channel 4, which contained alleged rape and murder of an LTTE female combatant, the PTI news agency reported.

Trishaw cruises on Expressway

A man who allegedly entered the Katunayake–Colombo Expressway in a trishaw, defying Expressway traffic officers at the Peliyagoda entrance, was arrested by the traffic officers near the 11.9 km post on Saturday night, and handed over to the Pamunugama police.

‘UK will not bathe SL in golden light’

While claiming that UK's presence at the CHOGM in Sri Lanka was not intended to bathe the Sri Lankan government in a golden light, Britain said: “The UK will make the point that the meeting is about the Commonwealth and not just Sri Lanka.”

Crocodile Captured

A giant crocodile was captured near Ella in Kurundugaha Hethakma on Friday night. The crocodile was later handed over to the Hikkaduwa Wildlife Conservation Department. Pix by Janath De Silva

Over 65 beauty parlours raided

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has seized cosmetic products from 67 salons and beauty parlours, as they were not suitable for use.

Police round up alleged sex workers

Nine women who allegedly engaged in prostitution were arrrested by a special police unit while they were loitering along several roads in Pettah yesterday.

Brothers drown while trying to retrieve helmet

Two brothers in their twenties drowned in a lake near the Panankadu Bridge in Akkaraipattu yesterday while trying to retrieve their helmet from the lake, police said.

Highest number of sixes: Sharma creates world record

India's Rohit Sharma on Saturday created history by slamming highest number of sixes by any batsman in a One-Day International (ODI) tie, against Australia in the seventh match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Rohit slammed the third double century in ODI cricket's history, scoring 209 off 158 balls, hitting 12 boundaries and 16 sixes — a new world record.

Two charged with murdering Lankan student

Two people have been charged with murdering Sri Lankan student Thavisha Peiris as he delivered his last pizza before starting his dream job as an IT consultant, in UK.

UNP denounces arrest of two IFJ journalists

The main opposition UNP today denounced the arrest and interrogation of two journalists of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) including its Asia Pacific Director Jacqui Park

Video: NCPA to create sex offenders’ database

The National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) said that it was making arrangements to create a data base with the names of offenders accused of sexual harassment

90,000 vehicles used Katunayake Expressway: RDA

The Road Development Authority (RDA) said today that some 90,000 vehicles have used the Colombo- Katunayake expressway since its opening six days ago

Still time to decide on PM's visit to Lanka: Chidambaram

Some union ministers are opposed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Sri Lanka to participate in CHOGM later this month but there is still time to take a decision, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said today

Road repairs at Lipton Circus

Police advise motorists using roads around Lipton Circus and Zoysa Roundabout to use alternative roads throughout the day to avoid possible traffic congestion due to ongoing road repair work in the area

Happy Deepawali

Hindus celebrate Deepawali festival today. Pictured here Hindu devotees are engaged in religious observances at the Kochchikade Sri Ponnambalavaneswarar Kovil this morning. Pix by Manoj Rathnayake