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'.

An officer of the Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration Department has been suspended pending a full inquiry, following a complaint made by a foreigner over extortion of money allegedly by Sri Lanka Immigration officers at the Bandaranaike Internation

The Buddhist monk who set himself on fire in front of the Dalada Maligawa, Kandy in protest of cattle slaughter succumbed to his injuries at the National Hospital a short while ago, hospital sources confirmed.

The Military said that in less than four years since the war ended nearly all areas in the conflict zone excepting for 96 square kilometres had been cleared of landmines and could be now used for resettlement purposes.

The much talked of mega tele-series based on the life of Buddha was launched on the auspicious day of Buddha Poornima (Vesak), the Times of India reported yesterday.

Sri Lanka has ranked high among informal money transfers in the south Asian region last year, a new Gallup study revealed.

At least 24 persons were injured when an elephant went on rampage during a Perahera of the Muthiyangana Temple last night, police said.

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) yesterday urged the government to resolve the issues pertaining to the Northern Provincial Council elections and power devolution because of the contrasting views expressed by some of the United People’s Freedo

The CID is investigating a fraud which is alleged to have taken place at the Polonnaruwa SP’s office where an office accountant had reportedly withdrawn funds set apart to be given to policemen as distress loans whenever the need arises

The take off of a Mihin Lanka flight was suspended temporarily at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake due to a mechanical malfunction in the aircraft this afternoon.

Police are on the lookout for the man who is alleged to have provided petrol to the monk, who was hospitalised with serious burn injuries after he set himself on fire this morning outside the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy.

Several Dansals have been organised on Vesak Day. People are seen organising and participating at Dansals in the Colombo City.  Pix By Nisal Baduge

A man living in Croydon in the United Kingdom has been charged with smuggling Sri Lankan immigrants into the UK.

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has requested the government to investigate who imported rubber masks known as Zombies for the Vesak festival.

A giant Buddhist flag -- 100 feet long and 50 feet wide -- designed by K. Hemapala was displayed for the 5th consecutive year along Baseline Road in Dematagoda. Pix by Nisal Baduge.

The National Investigations Department (DNI) of the Dominican Republic arrested members of a people trafficking network with possible links to international terrorist cells, who used Dominican Republic as a bridge from Cuba, France, Spain, Sri Lanka

A Buddhist monk set himself on fire this morning outside the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy in protest over the slaughter of cattle, police said. Pictures

Immigration Minister Brendan O'Connor has granted lawyers access to two Tamil asylum seekers who feared they would be removed to Sri Lanka

Thirty three devotees who took part in a Pooja this morning at the kovil in Thirukkovil, Ampara were taken ill due to food poisoning and were admitted to the Thirukkovil District Hospital, Hospital sources said

Thousands of devotees thronged the temples all over the country to attend religious observances to mark the Vesak day this morning. The picture shows devotees at the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya engaged in religious observances.   Pix By

A fire broke out at a warehouse at the JCT terminal of the Colombo port in the early hours today causing heavy damage to the warehouse, sources said.

The Sri Lanka government yesterday expressed concern over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the US embassy in Colombo and the Trincomalee Urban Council to jointly establish a public information and activity centre known as th