Meteorology Department today tendered its public apology for naming the recent cyclone which ripped through Indian Ocean as Mahasen, one of the greatest Kings of Sri Lanka following a public disapproval of naming the tropical storm after the King

The Education Ministry is planning to reduce Grade 1 enrolment in schools from the present capacity of 45 students to 35 per classroom by 2016, a Minister said yesterday

A Sri Lankan man accused of murdering his girlfriend before fleeing to Australia on an asylum boat was released into the community on a bridging visa in 2012

A new Parliamentary Act will be soon introduced giving unrestricted power to the Public Relations and Public Affairs Ministry to entertain and investigate complaints against public officials and recommend redress or take legal action against those wh

Wildlife rangers arrested a Chinese at Mirijjawila in Hambantota for allegedly possessing a tortoise and a pangolin yesterday, the Wildlife Department said

The crest gem that is due to adorn the Mihintale Stupa was on exposition today in the Sri Shylabimbarama Purana Wiharaya in Yagodamulla, Gampaha A large number of devotees thronged the area to participate in the process of venerating it. Pix by Pra

The Sri Lankan government today said that it remains deeply concerned that the lack of financial independence of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) also leads to disproportionate attention being paid to countr

High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay will undertake a visit to Sri Lanka from 25 to 31 August 2013, in response to an invitation formally extended to her by the Sri Lankan government in April 2011, the government said.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in Beijing on Monday on a 4-day state visit, his sixth, with Colombo saying that its ties with Beijing were not an "exclusive one" and would not harm interests of others

Technicians are seen repairing the broken hose used to pump crude oil to the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery (SOR) from the tanker. The resumption of operations at the country’s only oil refinery was further delayed as the hose broke down. Picture

A mother jumped into a river with her two children aged three and seven in Valachchenai this morning following a domestic dispute, police said

The Colombo-Kandy luxury train service, which was expected to begin operations today, was postponed until further notice, the Transport Ministry said today.

Vesak celebrations at Gangaramaya continued last night around the Beire Lake and the Temple luring a large crowd from many places. Pix by Samantha Perera

Three security personnel assigned to Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Kilinochchi Organiser has been reportedly assaulted by an unidentified group at Vairavapuliyankulama in Vavuniya last night. 

Former umpire John Holder alleged Sunday he was offered 10,000 pounds (USD 15,139) to help sway the course of a one-day international in the United Arab Emirates. Holder, who stood in 11 Tests, said the approach related to a match between Sri Lanka a

President Mahinda Rajapaksa arrived in China this morning (May 27), commencing a four-day state visit. President Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Wikaramasinghe Rajapaksa were warmly welcomed  Pix by President's Media

At least 24 people were killed and 33 were injured in Saturday's audacious Maoist attack on a political motorcade in India's Chhattisgarh state, the province's home secretary told CNN Sunday.

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne ceremonially turned on the lights to illuminate Gangarama Vesak Zone yesterday evening. Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe and Government MP Namal Rajapaksa also took part in this event. Pix by Gayan Amarasekera

Transport Minister Kumara Welgama said engaging in politics in Sri Lanka was a business and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and the United National Party were the main competitors.

“Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said police and land powers would not be given to the Northern Province. I am not ready to talk to him because he is not the government,” said ITAK leader R. Sampanthan at the Trincomalee District

The influential Sri Lankan Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has said Sri Lanka should jettison the system of devolution contained in the India-inspired 13th Amendment of the country’s constitution, irrespective of India’s reaction.

The VIP lounge of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) was exploited for the comfort of politically connected persons travelling  abroad, United National Party (UNP) MP Akila Viraj Kariyawasam charged in Parliament last week.

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) today insisted that the self-immolation committed by the ex-JHU monk, Ven. Bowatte Indarathana Thera was an act of self-sacrifice and not a case of suicide.

The Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) today said the Buddha Sasana Ministry should be brought under the purview of Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa to protect Buddhism.

Mahara Magistrate Darshika Wimalasiri ordered the Kiribathgoda police to arrest the Chairman of the Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha Prasanna Ranaweera and produce him in court

Members of the Sihala Ravaya are seen having a heated argument with the law enforcement authorities in front of the Jayaratne Florists, Borella against sending the body of the monk, Ven. BowatteIndraratna Thera, who died by self-immolation to Ratna

The Galle road has been closed for traffic from Kollupitiya junction to Galle Face due to a protest march by Buddhist monks of the Sihala Ravaya, police said.

A tense situation prevailed in front of the Jayaratne Florists, Borella after members of the Sihala Rawaya protested against sending the body of the self immolated monk Ven. Bowatte Indraratna Thera to Ratnapura.

Pictures show ‘Vesak Pandals’ around the Colombo city depicting Jathaka stories. Large crowds thronged the Colombo city during the Vesak season.  Pix by Samantha Perera

“As any other cricketer I have been through the ups and downs, at the start and then in the middle of my career,” Mahela Jayawardena tells Vijay Lokapally of 'Sportstar'.